Shloka 3
Ahaṅkāra-Tripartition and the Rise of Indriyas, Devatās, and Cosmic Administrators
तद्दशांशाधिकरजस्तद्दशांशाधिकं प्रभो / सत्त्वमित्युच्यते सद्भिर्ह्येतदात्मा त्वहं स्मृतम्
taddaśāṃśādhikarajastaddaśāṃśādhikaṃ prabho / sattvamityucyate sadbhirhyetadātmā tvahaṃ smṛtam
Yang melebihi rajas sebanyak satu persepuluh, dan sekali lagi melebihinya satu persepuluh, wahai Tuhan—itulah yang disebut sattva oleh para bijaksana; dan itulah yang diingati sebagai Ātman, yakni “engkau” dan “aku”.
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)
Concept: Sattva is defined by relative predominance over rajas; the wise connect sattva with the sense of selfhood/identity (‘tvam-aham’)—inviting discrimination between pure Self and guṇa-conditioned self-notions.
Vedantic Theme: Tension between sāṅkhya guṇa-account and Vedāntic ātman: pedagogically using sattva as the clearest reflector of consciousness while implying a deeper Self beyond guṇas.
Application: Increase sattva (truthfulness, simplicity, clean diet, steady study) to clarify self-inquiry; then transcend even sattvic identification by recognizing the witnessing awareness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.4.77 (mokṣa through knowledge of That); Garuda Purana 3.5.2 (ahaṅkāra/guṇa context)
FAQs
This verse highlights sattva as the refined, superior quality (exceeding rajas) recognized by the wise, and links it to clarity about the Self (ātman).
By identifying sattva with recognition of the ātman (“you and I”), it implies that inner purification and clarity of consciousness support right understanding of the soul’s true nature.
Cultivate sattva—through ethical living, restraint, truthfulness, and steady practice—so the mind becomes clear enough to discern the Self beyond agitation (rajas).