Modes of nature

Demons rubbed Kumbhkarna with rarest sandalwood & refreshed him by celestial garlands & perfumes. They cried out thunderous noises, blew conches & made tumultuous sound, clapped & shook him to wake him up. Hearing the great clamor, birds in sky fell down but the sleeping giant was not awaken from his slumber. He was also struck by boulders, pestles, maces, hammers & fists but to no avail

They began to beat drums, cymbals, kettledrums & trumpets. 10,000 demons surrounded him & tried to rouse him, but failed. They beat horses, camels, donkeys, & elephants with whips so they trample upon him. They crushed his limbs under piles of heavy logs & pillars. Entire Lankā was filled with great noise but Kumbha didn’t wake up

Being under spell of curse from Brahmā, Kumbha slept. All demons, filled with great fury, tore out his hair, bit his ears, poured hundreds of pitchers of water into his ear, but he didn’t stir. They struck rods & hammers on his head, chest & other limbs. When thousand elephants ran up & down his body, Kumbha slightly stirred & felt pressure. Feeling extreme hunger, Kumbha suddenly sprang up from his unfinished sleep, yawning

Waving his arms resembling serpent’s coils, he opened his monstrous mouth & heaved a sigh, like a tempest arising from a mountain, & stood up prepared to devour all beings. His huge eyes resembled flames of fire. He devoured a boar, buffalo & a donkey, ate their meat & drank blood

Thereafter knowing that Kumbha is gratified of his hunger, demons saluted & surrounded him. Kumbha said to all-For what reason you have woken me up? Is all well with the king or anything is in peril here?

Surely there must be some danger from external source since you’ve awakened me in haste. Now, I shall drive away misfortune of Rāvan, even if I’ve to cut Indra to pieces or to freeze the Fire. For a petty reason, one does not indeed awaken, one such as I, from slumber. Hence, tell me frankly, what is the reason

Minister Yupaksha said-There is no threat whatsoever to us at any time from celestials but a mere man is driving us back by tumultuous terror. He has put us in peril

We’re governed by three modes(gunas) of material nature-Sattva(goodness), Rajas(Passion) & Tamas(ignorance). Vibhishana represents Sattva guna, for his righteous conduct, Rāvan denotes Rajo guna for his perverted ways of thinking & Kumbhkarna represents Tamo guna,for his non-stop sleeping and eating

We all have these 3 temperaments in varying compositions. Tamas is inertia. Sleeping is one such tamasic act.So, not just Kumbhkarna, anyone who has the habit of sleeping in excess is said to have more of tamas in him. It also indicates inertia to not change our bad habits & keep doing it in perpetuity

This has huge implications for enterprises,who keep on doing the same mistakes and maintain the momentum in negative direction making it difficult for any correction to be done. Individuals are also magnetized to not see reason

Thoughts? #gameoflife