Shloka 19

Divinity and Divine Service

Bhagavān and Bhakti as the Supreme Dharma

Devanagari script

तदा रजस्तमोभावा: कामलोभादयश्च ये । चेत एतैरनाविद्धं स्थितं सत्त्वे प्रसीदति ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

tadā rajas-tamo-bhāvāḥ kāma-lobhādayaś ca ye ceta etair anāviddhaṁ sthitaṁ sattve prasīdati

Translation

متى استقرّت البهاكتي الراسخة في القلب زالت آثار الرَّجَس والتَّمَس—كالشهوة والطمع ونحوهما—ويغدو الوعي غير ملوّث، ثابتًا في السَّتْوَة، فيفيض سرورًا وسكينة.

Synonyms

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, temporal adverb (कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण)

• rajas-tamo-bhāvāḥ: the states of passion and ignorance
• rajas-tamo-bhāvāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rajas (प्रातिपदिक) + tamas (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; समासः द्वन्द्वः (rajas ca tamas ca) + तत्पुरुषः (rajas-tamoḥ bhāvāḥ)

• kāma-lobhādayaḥ: desire, greed, and the like
• kāma-lobhādayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāma (प्रातिपदिक) + lobha (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; तत्पुरुषः/समाहार-प्रयोगः—‘कामा लोभश्च आदयः’ (desire, greed, etc.)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• ye: which
• ye: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; relative pronoun (यत्-शब्द)

• cetaḥ: the mind/heart
• cetaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cetas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• etaiḥ: by these
• etaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; demonstrative pronoun

• anāviddham: unpierced, untainted
• anāviddham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: an-ā-viddha (कृदन्त, √vyadh/√vidh ‘to pierce’, with negation)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; past passive participle (क्त) used adjectivally; ‘not pierced/untainted’

• sthitam: situated, established
• sthitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sthita (कृदन्त, √sthā)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; past passive participle (क्त); cetaḥ-viśeṣaṇa

• sattve: in goodness (sattva)
• sattve: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sattva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• prasīdati: becomes serene/pleased
• prasīdati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sad (धातु) with prefix pra-
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Singular; parasmaipada

Purport

A living being in his normal constitutional position is fully satisfied in spiritual bliss. This state of existence is called brahma-bhūta or ātmānanda, or the state of self-satisfaction. This self-satisfaction is not like the satisfaction of the inactive fool. The inactive fool is in the state of foolish ignorance, whereas the self-satisfied ātmānandī is transcendental to the material state of existence. This stage of perfection is attained as soon as one is fixed in irrevocable devotional service. Devotional service is not inactivity, but the unalloyed activity of the soul.

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.19 say about lust and greed?

It says lust, greed, and other symptoms of passion and ignorance diminish, and the heart becomes undisturbed and peaceful when situated in goodness.

Who is speaking Bhagavatam 1.2.19 and to whom?

Suta Gosvami speaks this verse to the sages headed by Shaunaka at Naimisharanya while explaining the purifying effect of devotional life.

How can I apply the teaching of Bhagavatam 1.2.19 in modern life?

By cultivating sāttvic habits and especially bhakti practices (hearing and chanting), one reduces agitation from lust and greed and gains inner clarity and calm.