Shloka 27
मनु-उपदेशः — भूत-उत्पत्ति, इन्द्रिय-निवृत्ति, तथा पर-स्वभाव-विवेकः
Manu’s Instruction on Elemental Origination, Sense-Withdrawal, and Discrimination of the Supreme Nature
प्रीति: सत्त्वं रज: शोकस्तमो मोहस्तु ते त्रय: । ये ये च भावा लोके5स्मिन् सर्वेष्वेतेषु वै त्रिषु
prītiḥ sattvaṁ rajaḥ śokas tamo mohas tu te trayaḥ | ye ye ca bhāvā loke 'smin sarveṣv eteṣu vai triṣu ||
Bhishma dit : L’amour ou la joie relèvent de sattva ; le chagrin relève de rajas ; et l’illusion relève de tamas — tels sont les trois. Quels que soient les états de l’esprit qui surgissent en ce monde, tous sont contenus dans ces trois-là. Ainsi faut-il comprendre que les émotions ne sont pas des vérités ultimes, mais des mouvements des guṇa, et cultiver la clarté (sattva) afin de vivre selon le dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
All emotional and mental states (bhāvas) can be understood as expressions of the three guṇas: joy/affection aligns with sattva, grief with rajas, and delusion with tamas. Ethical cultivation involves increasing sattva—clarity and balance—so one is less driven by agitation (rajas) or confusion (tamas).
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on conduct and inner discipline, Bhishma teaches Yudhiṣṭhira a framework for interpreting human emotions. He classifies common experiences—happiness, sorrow, and delusion—under the three guṇas, presenting a practical lens for self-governance and dharmic living.