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Shloka 53

Adhyāya 314 — हिमवदाश्रमः, शक्तिक्षेपकथा, तथा स्वाध्यायविधिः

Himalayan Hermitage, the Myth of the Thrown Spear, and Rules of Vedic Study

सत्त्वस्य रजसश्वैव तमसश्न शृणुष्व मे । अब मैं सत्त्व, रज और तम--इन तीनों गुणोंके द्वन्द्र और संनिपात-का यथार्थरूपसे वर्णन करता हूँ, सुनो

sattvasya rajasaś caiva tamasaś ca śṛṇuṣva me |

ヤージュニャヴァルキヤは言った。「我が言葉を聞け。いま私は、三つのグナ—サットヴァ、ラジャス、タマス—の真の本性を説き明かし、それらが互いにいかに対立し、またいかに種々の混合として結び合うかを語ろう。」

सत्त्वस्यof sattva (goodness)
सत्त्वस्य:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootसत्त्व
FormNeuter, Genitive, Singular
रजसःof rajas (passion)
रजसः:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootरजस्
FormNeuter, Genitive, Singular
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
एवindeed/just
एव:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootएव
तमसःof tamas (darkness/inertia)
तमसः:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootतमस्
FormNeuter, Genitive, Singular
not
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
शृणुष्वlisten
शृणुष्व:
TypeVerb
Rootश्रु
FormImperative, Second, Singular, Parasmaipada
मेof me / my
मे:
Sampradana
TypePronoun
Rootअस्मद्
Form—, Genitive, Singular

याज़्वल्क्य उवाच

Y
Yājñavalkya
S
sattva
R
rajas
T
tamas

Educational Q&A

The verse introduces an analysis of the three guṇas—sattva, rajas, and tamas—emphasizing that ethical and psychological states arise from their opposition (dvandva) and their mixed combinations (sannipāta). Understanding these forces is presented as a basis for discernment and right conduct.

In the didactic setting of the Śānti Parva, the sage Yājñavalkya begins a structured exposition: he calls the listener’s attention and announces that he will describe the guṇas in their true form, preparing for a detailed teaching that follows.