Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 13

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

Devanagari script

यदेतरौ जयेत् सत्त्वं भास्वरं विशदं शिवम् । तदा सुखेन युज्येत धर्मज्ञानादिभि: पुमान् ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

yadetarau jayet sattvaṁ bhāsvaraṁ viśadaṁ śivam tadā sukhena yujyeta dharma-jñānādibhiḥ pumān

Translation

Quand la bonté (sattva), lumineuse, pure et propice, l’emporte sur la passion et l’ignorance, l’homme est doté de bonheur, de vertu, de connaissance et d’autres qualités nobles.

Synonyms

• यदा: when
• यदा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय; पाठभेद: ‘यद’ इत्यत्र ‘यदा’ (when)

• एतरौ: those two (rajas and tamas)
• एतरौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; ‘रजस्-तमस्’ इत्यर्थे

• जयेत्: should conquer
• जयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √जि (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सत्त्वम्: sattva
• सत्त्वम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘युज्येत’ इत्यस्य हेतु/साधन-भावेन

• भास्वरम्: luminous
• भास्वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भास्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सत्त्वस्य विशेषण

• विशदम्: clear/pure
• विशदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विशद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सत्त्वस्य विशेषण

• शिवम्: auspicious
• शिवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सत्त्वस्य विशेषण

• तदा: then
• तदा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (then)

• सुखेन: with ease
• सुखेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• युज्येत: should be engaged/connected
• युज्येत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √युज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• धर्म-ज्ञान-आदिभिः: by dharma, knowledge, and the like
• धर्म-ज्ञान-आदिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (dharma and knowledge etc.)

• पुमान्: a man/person
• पुमान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुमांस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Purport

One can control one’s mind and senses in the mode of goodness.

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about overcoming rajas and tamas?

In 11.25.13, Kṛṣṇa explains that when passion and ignorance are conquered, sattva (goodness)—clear and auspicious—naturally predominates, making dharma and spiritual knowledge arise more easily.

Why did Krishna say this to Uddhava in the Uddhava Gita?

Kṛṣṇa is instructing Uddhava on inner purification and spiritual progress: understanding the guṇas and rising into sattva supports steady dharma and jñāna, which prepare one for devotion and transcendence.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Reduce tamas (laziness, intoxication, heedlessness) and rajas (restless craving) through clean habits, truthful living, and disciplined practice; as sattva increases, clarity, ethical strength, and spiritual understanding become easier to cultivate.