Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 29

Guṇa-vibhāga: The Three Modes and the Path Beyond Them

Devanagari script

सात्त्विकं सुखमात्मोत्थं विषयोत्थं तु राजसम् । तामसं मोहदैन्योत्थं निर्गुणं मदपाश्रयम् ॥ २९ ॥

Transliteration

sāttvikaṁ sukham ātmotthaṁ viṣayotthaṁ tu rājasam tāmasaṁ moha-dainyotthaṁ nirguṇaṁ mad-apāśrayam

Translation

السعادةُ الناشئةُ من الذات (الآتمن) ساتّڤيّة، والسعادةُ القائمةُ على لذّات الحواس راجَسيّة، والسعادةُ الناشئةُ من الوهم والانحطاط تامَسيّة؛ أمّا السعادةُ التي تُنال بالاعتصام بي فهي نِرغُنا، متعاليةٌ عن الصفات.

Synonyms

• सात्त्विकम्: sattvic
• सात्त्विकम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सात्त्विक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• सुखम्: happiness
• सुखम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• आत्मोत्थम्: arising from the self
• आत्मोत्थम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आत्मन् + उत्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative): आत्मनः उत्थम् = arising from the self

• विषयोत्थम्: arising from sense-objects
• विषयोत्थम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषय + उत्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: विषयात्/विषयस्य उत्थम् = arising from sense-objects

• तु: but/whereas
• तु: सम्बन्धसूचक (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), विरोध/विभेदार्थ (contrast)

• राजसम्: rajasic
• राजसम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राजस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• तामसम्: tamasic
• तामसम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तामस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• मोहदैन्योत्थम्: arising from delusion and wretchedness
• मोहदैन्योत्थम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मोह + दैन्य + उत्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समाहार/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष-प्राय: (determinative): मोह-दैन्यात्/मोह-दैन्यस्य उत्थम् = arising from delusion and misery

• निर्गुणम्: beyond the guṇas
• निर्गुणम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• मदपाश्रयम्: having Me as its refuge
• मदपाश्रयम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मत् (अस्मद्-शब्द) + अपाश्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: मम अपाश्रयम् = having Me as (its) refuge/support

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about happiness in sattva, rajas, and tamas?

In this verse, Kṛṣṇa explains that sāttvika happiness is inner and self-born, rājasika happiness comes from sense objects, and tāmasika happiness comes from delusion and leads to misery.

Why did Krishna say this to Uddhava in Canto 11?

While instructing Uddhava (Uddhava-gītā), Kṛṣṇa distinguishes material happiness within the guṇas from the nirguṇa happiness attained through surrender to Him, guiding Uddhava toward pure devotion and liberation.

How can I apply this teaching about nirguna happiness in modern life?

Reduce dependence on sense-based pleasure, cultivate inner steadiness through sāttvika habits, and anchor life in bhakti—regular remembrance, prayer, and service—because lasting happiness is described here as coming from taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa.