Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are the three virtues by which man can be categorized. Sattva identifies with joy and wisdom; Rajas identifies with passion and greed; Tamas identifies with stupor and ignorance.
Man is constantly creating thought patterns within himself attune to his nature. These patterns pull him into deeply unconscious behaviour thereby making him impenetrable to the light of wisdom. He who frees himself of these patterns rises to higher Consciousness.