[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c9.3115 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.3115 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.3115 - **Language:** English ### [c9.3115](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3115) TAMAS II. One of the three qualities of the soul. Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are the three qualities. It is through the union of these three qualities that the inner soul enters the life of all animate and inanimate objects. The attributes of Tamas are greed, sleep, bravery, cruelty disbelief in god, bad habits, begging and indifference. It is because of the action of tamoguṇa that one becomes a prey to lust. It is the worst result of tāmasic activities that people are born as inanimate objects, worms, insects, fishes, serpents, tortoises, cows and deer. As a better result of tāmasic activities people are born as elephants, horses, Śūdras, barbarous people, lions, tigers and hogs. It is the good result of tāmasic deeds that produce pilgrims, good castes, egoistic people, demons and devils. (Chapter 12, Manusmṛti). - [Previous: c9.3114](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3114) - [Next: c9.3116](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3116) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9) ## Cites (1) - [Mānava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.manu.12) — Manu & Bhṛgu, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3115](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3115) · Pramāṇa