Greek mystic and philosopher Pythagoras divided the spectators at the Olympic Games into three types. The lowest are those who come to buy or sell, likened to people who are driven by a desire for basic possessions. A step higher are the contestants, representing seekers of honor. But the highest, in Pythagoras’ view, are those who come simply to observe—the lovers of wisdom. Similarly, the Vedas also describe three divisions of humans. These divisions influence how and where people live, what they eat and drink, and their overall mindset. While one type may be considered better than the other, all are still affected by the material illusory energy known as Maya.
Living beings are controlled by this illusion much like a marionette is manipulated by an unseen puppeteer. Though we believe we are acting of our own free will, we are, in fact, guided by these invisible forces. The three main strings that steer us are goodness, passion, and ignorance. Goodness preserves, passion creates, and ignorance destroys. However, it is not so straightforward. These forces constantly intertwine—at times, one is more dominant, only for the opposite to take over later, and so the cycle continues.