Shloka 77
Atithi-satkāra and the Consolation of Wise Counsel (अतिथिसत्कारः प्रज्ञानवचनस्य च पराश्वासनम्)
सच्त्वान्नच्युतपूर्वो5हं सत्त्वं वै विद्धि मत्कृतम् । जन्मनीहा भवेत् सत्त्वं पौर्विकं मे धनंजय
sattvān na cyutapūrvo 'haṃ sattvaṃ vai viddhi matkṛtam | janmanīhā bhavet sattvaṃ paurvikaṃ me dhanañjaya ||
O Dhanañjaya, I have never fallen away from sattva (the pure, lucid principle). Know that sattva arises from me. Even in this birth my ancient, primordial sattva remains present. Because of sattva I remain free from sin and engaged in desireless action; and through the sāttvata wisdom of those who have attained the Lord, my true nature is understood—therefore people call me “Sāttvata.”
तामिन्द्र उवाच गच्छ नहुषस्त्वया वाच्योथ<पूर्वेण मामृषियुक्तेन यानेन त्वमधिरूढ
Educational Q&A
The speaker asserts unwavering establishment in sattva (purity and clarity) and presents sattva as a divine, originating principle. Ethical life—freedom from sin and engagement in desireless action—is grounded in sattva, and true knowledge of the divine nature is accessed through sāttvata wisdom.
In a didactic passage addressed to Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), the speaker explains why he is called “Sāttvata”: he has never deviated from sattva, sattva proceeds from him, and his primordial purity remains present even in the current birth/incarnation, enabling sinless, desireless action and recognition by realized devotees.