As a child, man seeks toys to have fun and joy. As a boy, he demands a cycle for the same purpose. When he becomes a young man, he demands a car to have fun and joy, a good position with a pretty girl as his wife. Then, in middle age, he learns to shoulder more responsibility. The actions of his previous births have by now molded his mind fully, his ideas have become set, whether it be for a good or evil. But, the desire for ananda (bliss) is as strong as ever. Now, his quest for happiness follows different paths depending on three gunas (influences) on his mind :
a) If it be truthfulness which is supreme, then the path will be straight and narrow, that of rectitude where thought, word and deed merge.
b) If it be worldly which is predominant, the path will lead towards ceaseless activity to amass riches, power and fame.
c) If greed has the upper hand, the path will lead downwards towards destruction, towards a life of shame and perversion.
(Gems of Wisdom, Gunas, pg 54)
