Symbolically, of three wives of Dasharatha, Kausalya represents Sattva, Sumitra represents Rajo guna and Kaikeyi represents Tamo guna. This means that the human body is wedded to the three gunas. (SSS Vol.23, p.42)

In the first twelve years of Rama’s life, He encountered three types of women. When he went with the sage Vishwamitra to protect his sacrifice, he encountered the ogress Tataki. He put an end to her without any compunction or aversion. After Vishwamitra’s sacrifice was completed, Rama went with the sage to Mithila. On the way he came across Ahalya, who had been transformed into a stone. He gave her life, absolved her of sin through penitence and restored her to her husband. At Mithila, he encountered Sita. He accepted Sita without any hesitation. What is the inner meaning of these three incidents? They show that even from his boyhood Rama displayed extraordinary qualities and stood out as an example to the world. Thataki, the first woman he encountered symbolises the Tamas quality. He destroyed the Tamasika quality. Ahalya represents the Rajo guna. He taught the right lesson to Ahalya, purified her and sent her safely to her place. He took to himself Sita who represented the Sattvika quality. Bhagavan approves of and accepts only that which is Sattvika. He values the Sattvika quality. He protects and fosters it. (SSS Vol.22, p.67)

In killing an ogress, Rama is accused of committing Stri-hatya (the sin of killing a woman). But it is not so. He was destroying the Tamo guna which she symbolized. He gave liberation to Shabari, who represented the Rajo guna. He purified Ahalya, who represented the Sattva guna. He purified her of all her lapses, and restored her to Gautama. (SSS Vol.18, p. 47)

The three gunas represented b the three brothers of Ravana. The embodiment of Tamo guna is Kumbhakarna, of Rajo guna is Ravana and of Sattva guna is Vibhishana. These three gunas are brothers, but if you allow the first two into your heart, they will cause a lot of harm. When you enter the Kingdom of Liberation, you will have to remove Sattva guna also. (SSS Vol.17, p.151)

In the case of the Rakshasa brothers, Rama destroyed Kumbhakarna and Ravana who represented the Tamo guna and Rajo gunas, and made Vibhishana, who symbolised the Sattva guna, the ruler of Lanka. It is only when we destroy the Tamo and Rajo gunas within us we can make the Sattva guna in our hearts. This is primary duty of every human being. This should be our ideal. It is by imbibing these great qualities of Rama and regulating our lives in this way, we will be able to divine ourselves. (SSS Vol.23, pp.47-48)