Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 30
Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha
छाया त्वधर्मोर्मिषु यैर्विसर्गो नेत्रत्रयं सत्त्वरजस्तमांसि । साङ्ख्यात्मन: शास्त्रकृतस्तवेक्षा छन्दोमयो देव ऋषि: पुराण: ॥ ३० ॥
chāyā tv adharmormiṣu yair visargo netra-trayaṁ sattva-rajas-tamāṁsi sāṅkhyātmanaḥ śāstra-kṛtas tavekṣā chandomayo deva ṛṣiḥ purāṇaḥ
Wahai Dewa, bayangan-Mu tampak pada gelombang adharma, yang menimbulkan beraneka ciptaan tak saleh. Sattva, rajas, dan tamas adalah tiga mata-Mu. Seluruh sastra Weda yang penuh metrum berasal dari pandangan-Mu, sebab para resi menyusun kitab-kitab setelah menerima lirikan rahmat-Mu.
FAQs
This verse identifies the Lord’s “three eyes” with the three guṇas—goodness, passion, and ignorance—showing that the modes operate under His supreme supervision.
They praise Him as the very foundation of Vedic revelation—its metres, hymns, and sacred sound—indicating that the Vedas ultimately point to and rest upon Him.
See the guṇas influencing your mind and habits, but remember they are not ultimate; cultivate sattva through devotion and discipline, and seek shelter of the Lord who stands beyond all modes.