Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

सात्त्विकं सुखमात्मोत्थं विषयोत्थं तु राजसम् । तामसं मोहदैन्योत्थं निर्गुणं मदपाश्रयम् ॥ २९ ॥

Transliteration

sāttvikaṁ sukham ātmotthaṁ viṣayotthaṁ tu rājasam tāmasaṁ moha-dainyotthaṁ nirguṇaṁ mad-apāśrayam

Translation

Le bonheur qui naît du Soi est sāttvique; celui qui naît de la jouissance des sens est rājassique; et celui qui naît de l’illusion et de la déchéance est tāmassique. Mais le bonheur qui prend refuge en Moi est nirguṇa, transcendant.

Synonyms

• सात्त्विकम्: sattvic
• सात्त्विकम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सात्त्विक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• सुखम्: happiness
• सुखम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• आत्मोत्थम्: arising from the self
• आत्मोत्थम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आत्मन् + उत्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative): आत्मनः उत्थम् = arising from the self

• विषयोत्थम्: arising from sense-objects
• विषयोत्थम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषय + उत्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: विषयात्/विषयस्य उत्थम् = arising from sense-objects

• तु: but/whereas
• तु: सम्बन्धसूचक (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), विरोध/विभेदार्थ (contrast)

• राजसम्: rajasic
• राजसम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राजस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• तामसम्: tamasic
• तामसम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तामस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• मोहदैन्योत्थम्: arising from delusion and wretchedness
• मोहदैन्योत्थम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मोह + दैन्य + उत्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समाहार/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष-प्राय: (determinative): मोह-दैन्यात्/मोह-दैन्यस्य उत्थम् = arising from delusion and misery

• निर्गुणम्: beyond the guṇas
• निर्गुणम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• मदपाश्रयम्: having Me as its refuge
• मदपाश्रयम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मत् (अस्मद्-शब्द) + अपाश्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: मम अपाश्रयम् = having Me as (its) refuge/support

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about happiness in sattva, rajas, and tamas?

In this verse, Kṛṣṇa explains that sāttvika happiness is inner and self-born, rājasika happiness comes from sense objects, and tāmasika happiness comes from delusion and leads to misery.

Why did Krishna say this to Uddhava in Canto 11?

While instructing Uddhava (Uddhava-gītā), Kṛṣṇa distinguishes material happiness within the guṇas from the nirguṇa happiness attained through surrender to Him, guiding Uddhava toward pure devotion and liberation.

How can I apply this teaching about nirguna happiness in modern life?

Reduce dependence on sense-based pleasure, cultivate inner steadiness through sāttvika habits, and anchor life in bhakti—regular remembrance, prayer, and service—because lasting happiness is described here as coming from taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa.