Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

तस्माद् देहमिमं लब्ध्वा ज्ञानविज्ञानसम्भवम् । गुणसङ्गं विनिर्धूय मां भजन्तु विचक्षणा: ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

tasmād deham imaṁ labdhvā jñāna-vijñāna-sambhavam guṇa-saṅgaṁ vinirdhūya māṁ bhajantu vicakṣaṇāḥ

Translation

Darum sollen die Einsichtigen, nachdem sie diesen menschlichen Körper erlangt haben, der Wissen und Verwirklichung ermöglicht, jede Verstrickung in die Guṇas abschütteln und sich ausschließlich Meinem liebenden Dienst widmen.

Synonyms

• तस्मात्: therefore
• तस्मात्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Logical connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तस्मात् इति अव्ययीभाववत् निपात-प्रयोगः; हेत्वर्थ/तस्मादर्थे (therefore/from that reason)

• देहम्: body
• देहम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• इमम्: this
• इमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम-विशेषण

• लब्ध्वा: having obtained
• लब्ध्वा: Kriya (क्रिया/Absolutive)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √लभ् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund); ‘having obtained’

• ज्ञान-विज्ञान-सम्भवम्: giving rise to knowledge and realization
• ज्ञान-विज्ञान-सम्भवम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्भव (प्रातिपदिक: सम्-√भू (धातु) + अप्/अ) ; components: ज्ञान + विज्ञान + सम्भव
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (ज्ञानविज्ञानयोः सम्भवः = source/occasion for knowledge and realization)

• गुण-सङ्गम्: attachment to the guṇas
• गुण-सङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) with गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (गुणेषु सङ्गः = attachment to guṇas)

• विनिर्धूय: having cast off
• विनिर्धूय: Kriya (क्रिया/Absolutive)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-निर्-√धू (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund); ‘having shaken off/removed’

• माम्: Me
• माम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (speaker reference), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• भजन्तु: let them worship
• भजन्तु: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भज् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• विचक्षणाः: the discerning (persons)
• विचक्षणाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; गुणवाचक-नाम (wise ones)

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

How does the Srimad Bhagavatam teach us to transcend the three modes of nature (gunas)?

This verse says one should shake off guṇa-saṅga—attachment and association with sattva, rajas, and tamas—and take exclusive shelter of Bhagavān through bhajana (devotional worship).

Why does Krishna instruct Uddhava to worship Him after giving up guna-sanga?

In the Uddhava Gītā, Kṛṣṇa explains that the human form enables realized knowledge; by removing entanglement with the modes, devotion becomes pure and leads to liberation and direct relationship with Him.

What is a practical way to apply 'vinirdhūya guṇa-saṅgam' in daily life?

Reduce mode-driven habits (passion and ignorance), keep sāttvika discipline, and center life on bhakti practices—hearing and chanting about Kṛṣṇa, prayer, and serving devotees—so the mind detaches from the guṇas and turns to God.