Shloka 35
The Lord’s Advent: Yoga-māyā’s Mission, Saṅkarṣaṇa’s Transfer, and the Demigods’ Prayers
सत्त्वं न चेद्धातरिदं निजं भवेद् विज्ञानमज्ञानभिदापमार्जनम् । गुणप्रकाशैरनुमीयते भवान् प्रकाशते यस्य च येन वा गुण: ॥ ३५ ॥
sattvaṁ na ced dhātar idaṁ nijaṁ bhaved vijñānam ajñāna-bhidāpamārjanam guṇa-prakāśair anumīyate bhavān prakāśate yasya ca yena vā guṇaḥ
O Cause of all causes, if Your own being were not beyond the material guṇas, knowledge could not discern spirit from matter nor cleanse away ignorance. You are understood only by the radiance of Your qualities, for the guṇas shine by You and under Your sovereignty.
It is said, traiguṇya-viṣayā vedā nistraiguṇyo bhavārjuna. Unless one is situated in transcendence, one cannot understand the transcendental nature of the Lord. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.29) :
FAQs
It states that pure sattva—knowledge that destroys ignorance and suffering—is intrinsic to the Lord, and that the quality of goodness shines by Him and for Him, enabling one to understand Him through its manifestation.
Because they are praying for the Lord’s descent to relieve the earth’s burden, and they emphasize that true knowledge and purity originate in Him—only by His own illuminating power can He be properly known.
Cultivate sattva—clarity, truthfulness, and purity—because it supports real knowledge that removes ignorance and distress, making devotion and understanding of the Supreme more natural and steady.