Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

विकुर्वन् क्रियया चाधीरनिवृत्तिश्च चेतसाम् । गात्रास्वास्थ्यं मनो भ्रान्तं रज एतैर्निशामय ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

vikurvan kriyayā cā-dhīr anivṛttiś ca cetasām gātrāsvāsthyaṁ mano bhrāntaṁ raja etair niśāmaya

Translation

Discern the mode of passion (rajas) by these symptoms: intelligence distorted by excessive activity, the senses unable to disengage from mundane objects, an unhealthy condition of the working organs, and the mind’s unsteady confusion.

Synonyms

• विकुर्वन्: acting; transforming
• विकुर्वन्: कर्ता (Agent as participle)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि+कृ (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ/Present active participle), परस्मैपदी; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तृवाचक: 'acting/transforming'

• क्रियया: by activity
• क्रियया: करण
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; करण

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय: 'and'

• अधीरः: restless; impatient
• अधीरः: कर्ता (Predicative subject-quality)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (implied subject/rajas-state)

• अनिवृत्तिः: non-cessation; incessantness
• अनिवृत्तिः: कर्ता
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनिवृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्ता/भाववाचक

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय: 'and'

• चेतसाम्: of minds; of the heart
• चेतसाम्: सम्बन्ध
• Type: Noun
• Root: चेतस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; सम्बन्ध

• गात्रास्वास्थ्यम्: ill-health of the limbs
• गात्रास्वास्थ्यम्: कर्ता (Characteristic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गात्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अस्वास्थ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: गात्राणाम् अस्वास्थ्यम्; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्ता/लक्षण

• मनः: mind
• मनः: कर्ता
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्ता/लक्षण

• भ्रान्तम्: confused; wandering
• भ्रान्तम्: कर्ता (Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भ्रान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifies मनः)

• रजः: rajas
• रजः: कर्ता (Topic/identified entity)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उद्देश्यम् (that which is being identified)

• एतैः: by these
• एतैः: करण
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया, बहुवचन; करण

• निशामय: recognize; note
• निशामय: क्रिया
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि+शम्/शम् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; 'observe/recognize'

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the symptoms of rajas guna?

This verse lists rajas as seen in agitation and anxiety driven by constant activity, inability to withdraw the mind, bodily imbalance, and a bewildered, restless mind.

Why did Krishna explain rajas guna to Uddhava in Canto 11?

In the Uddhava Gita, Krishna teaches Uddhava how to discern the three gunas by their practical symptoms so one can rise beyond them through devotion and steady spiritual practice.

Practical application of recognizing rajas in modern life?

Notice patterns of compulsive busyness, mental overstimulation, anxiety, and health imbalance; then reduce needless activity, cultivate sattvic habits, and anchor the mind in bhakti (hearing and chanting).