If one of the ways of overcoming Tamas is by force applied in different ways as illustrated in the above examples, there is yet an other pragmatic way of shattering Tamas. We will now present this second dimension of overcoming Tamas.

The ‘bliss of ignorance’ does not release either our body or mind from its enslaving clutches. If the arena of action can bring greater happiness than the happiness of Tamas, we can come out of its strong clutches. The material attractions of life, a sense of immediate concrete gains in terms of comforts of life can be a motivation for man to overcome Tamas.

Timma in our village is hard worker, but only when he starts working. There lies the hitch. His big family of parents, wife and three children are dependent on him. Often they starve. Yet he doesn’t move for work. Such is the strong Tamas he was endowed with!

Our professor, building a house in that village wanted to help him out. He offered him 20 rupees more than normally he would get as wage. Timma was happy. He came for work; three days, he was regular. Many in the village knowing Timma found it strange. The fourth day he did not come out of the house. Asked, he said he would take rest that day as he had worked hard for three days regularly! Next morning too, he didn’t turn up.

Professor sent word. Timma excused himself due to stomach pain that day. The next day the pain moved from stomach to head! The professor thought of a new plan.