The words conscience and conscious are often confused because they sound similar, yet they signify two entirely different realms of human experience. Conscience refers to the inner sense of right and wrong — a moral compass that guides our choices. Conscious, on the other hand, means being aware of one’s surroundings, actions, and thoughts. In the Bhagavad Gita, consciousness is linked with chit — one of the three intrinsic characteristics of the soul: sat (eternal), chit (aware), and ananda (blissful).
This discussion, however, focuses on conscience — how it originates, how it operates, and how it can be strengthened. According to the Gita (15.7), every living being is a part of the Supreme. The soul within us is active and permeates the entire body, as seen in our ability to feel sensation anywhere when touched. One of the most vital roles of the soul is to alert us — to prompt us toward dharma, or righteous action — because it is a spark of the Divine, who Himself is dharma personified. Thus, the soul naturally directs us toward moral conduct. However, in our jeeva roop — the material embodiment — we possess free will, which enables us to either heed or ignore these divine alerts. The soul also carries deep desires and makes choices — essential expressions of its free will. While the soul has decision-making ability, it is not omniscient like God and may err in its judgements. Therefore, divine guidance is crucial. As the Gita (18.63) declares, God provides direction, but the ultimate choice rests with us. Without this freedom, human beings would merely be robots under divine control — a concept contrary to spiritual evolution.The quality of our decisions, however, depends on our svabhava — our personal nature. All beings and things in the material world are governed by the three gunas or modes of nature: sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance). The unique combination of these gunas defines one’s temperament and tendencies. A person dominated by sattva acts with clarity and virtue, while one influenced by tamas is drawn toward laziness, violence, or confusion. Our associations constantly shape these modes — exposure to uplifting sights or sounds strengthens sattva, while indulgence in harmful or violent content intensifies rajas or tamas. Conscience, therefore, is the voice of the soul filtered through one’s svabhava.
Imagine a torch shining in darkness. If the light is covered by a thin white cloth, some light passes through; if covered by a thick blanket, almost none does. Similarly, when our nature is dominated by sattva, the soul’s alerts are clear and strong, leading to wise decisions. Under rajas, the message becomes blurred and impulsive actions may result. Under tamas, the soul’s voice is nearly silenced — which explains how people under intoxication or anger can commit grave crimes without remorse. To refine our conscience, we must refine our nature. This begins by cultivating sattva — through wholesome food, clean environments, uplifting company, and disciplined living. Yet the deepest purification happens when we turn to God. Sincere devotion and spiritual association increase the proportion of sattva within, making our inner light shine unobstructed. As our nature elevates, conscience becomes a steady guide, protecting us from moral error. The process may be gradual and demanding, but its essence is simple: as we purify our inner world, the divine voice within becomes unmistakably clear.
The writer is a Spiritual Teacher
