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86 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
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have activities and parts : the source is imminent in all, but has neither activities nor parts.”
Kapila argued that the process of development of the unevolved is through the activities of three constituents of which it is made up, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. These are called three Gunas.
The first of the constituents, or factors, corresponds to what we call as light in nature, which reveals, which causes pleasure to men ; the second is that impels and moves, what produces activity ; the third is what is heavy and puts under restraint, what produces the state of indifference or inactivity.
The three constituents act essentially in close relation, they overpower and support one another and intermingle with one another. They are like the constituents of a lamp, the flame, the oil and wick.
When the three Gunas are in perfect balance, none overpowering the other, the universe appears static (Achetan) and ceases to evolve.
When the three Gunas are not in balance, one overpowers the other, the universe becomes dynamic (sachetan) and evolution begins.
Asked why the Gunas become unbalanced, the answer which Kapila gave was this disturbance in the balance of the three Gunas was due to the presence of Dukha (suffering).
Such were the tenets of Kapila’s philosophy.
Of all the philosophers the Buddha was greatly impressed by the doctrines of Kapila.
He was the only philosopher whose teachings appeared to the Buddha to be based on logic and facts.
But he did not accept everything which Kapila taught. Only three things did the Buddha accept from Kapila.
He accepted that reality must rest on proof. Thinking must be based on rationalism.
He accepted that there was no logical or factual basis for the presumption that God exists or that he created the universe.
He accepted that there was Dukha (suffering) in the world.