Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 26
Guṇa-vibhāga: The Three Modes and the Path Beyond Them
सात्त्विक: कारकोऽसङ्गी रागान्धो राजस: स्मृत: । तामस: स्मृतिविभ्रष्टो निर्गुणो मदपाश्रय: ॥ २६ ॥
sāttvikaḥ kārako ’saṅgī rāgāndho rājasaḥ smṛtaḥ tāmasaḥ smṛti-vibhraṣṭo nirguṇo mad-apāśrayaḥ
L’agent sans attachement est sattvique ; l’agent aveuglé par le désir personnel est rajasique ; et l’agent qui, la mémoire troublée, ne distingue plus le juste de l’injuste est tamasique. Mais celui qui prend refuge en Moi est nirguna, au-delà des qualités.
A transcendental worker performs his activities in strict accordance with the directions of Lord Kṛṣṇa and the Lord’s bona fide representatives. Taking shelter of the Lord’s guidance, such a worker remains transcendental to the material modes of nature.
FAQs
This verse states that while actions and consciousness can be classified as sattvic, rajasic, or tamasic, one who takes shelter of Kṛṣṇa becomes nirguṇa—beyond the influence of material modes.
In the Uddhava-gītā section, Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on how to understand the modes shaping behavior and how devotion—taking full shelter of the Lord—lifts one beyond those modes.
Cultivate sattva through clarity and detachment, recognize rajasic agitation and tamasic confusion, and anchor daily life in bhakti (remembrance, service, surrender), which steadily frees one from being driven by the modes.