Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 12
Avadhūta’s Further Teachers: Detachment, Solitude, One-Pointed Meditation, and the Lord as Āśraya
यस्मिन् मनो लब्धपदं यदेत- च्छनै: शनैर्मुञ्चति कर्मरेणून् । सत्त्वेन वृद्धेन रजस्तमश्च विधूय निर्वाणमुपैत्यनिन्धनम् ॥ १२ ॥
yasmin mano labdha-padaṁ yad etac chanaiḥ śanair muñcati karma-reṇūn sattvena vṛddhena rajas tamaś ca vidhūya nirvāṇam upaity anindhanam
Wenn der Geist, im höchsten Bhagavān verankert, einen festen Stand gewinnt, lässt er nach und nach den Staub des Karma los. Mit wachsender Sattva-Kraft werden Rajas und Tamas fortgespült; und schließlich, selbst Sattva übersteigend, erreicht man allmählich das brennstofflose Nirvāṇa.
The interaction of the three modes of nature creates great obstacles in one’s path of spiritual advancement, and there is danger that one may be thrown down into the darkness of ignorance. Those who are experienced in practical psychology know the dangers of the uncontrolled mind and constantly endeavor to bring the mind under control. If one can free oneself from the influence of the material modes of passion and ignorance, then life becomes very auspicious. Controlling the mind, and thereby freeing oneself from the influence of the material modes of nature, is the only means of making actual progress in life. The word yasmin in this verse, according to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, indicates the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the reservoir of all pleasure. Giving up the material propensities of the mind does not mean merging into an impersonal existence, such as that experienced in dreamless sleep. As stated in this verse, sattvena vṛddhena: one must become firmly established in the mode of goodness and then gradually rise onto the spiritual platform, where one may dwell in the company of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
This verse says that when the mind becomes firmly situated in the Supreme, it gradually sheds the ‘dust of karma,’ and purity (sattva) grows, cleansing passion and ignorance.
In the Uddhava Gītā section, Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on inner renunciation and the process of liberation as part of His final, most confidential teachings before departing from the world.
Practice steady spiritual focus—regular sādhana like japa, hearing sacred teachings, and mindful living—so the mind slowly drops habitual reactions, and clarity replaces agitation and inertia.