Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 1
Guṇa-vibhāga: The Three Modes and the Path Beyond Them
श्रीभगवानुवाच गुणानामसम्मिश्राणां पुमान् येन यथा भवेत् । तन्मे पुरुषवर्येदमुपधारय शंसत: ॥ १ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca guṇānām asammiśrāṇāṁ pumān yena yathā bhavet tan me puruṣa-varyedam upadhāraya śaṁsataḥ
พระผู้เป็นเจ้าตรัสว่า: โอ้บุรุษผู้ประเสริฐ จงฟังให้ดี เมื่อเราจะอธิบายว่า ชีวะย่อมได้สภาพธรรมเฉพาะอย่างไร ด้วยการคบหาสัมพันธ์กับคุณะแห่งวัตถุแต่ละประการ
The word asammiśra indicates that which is not mixed with anything else. Lord Kṛṣṇa now explains how each of the three material modes (goodness, passion and ignorance), acting separately, causes a conditioned soul to manifest a particular type of existence. The living entity is ultimately transcendental to the modes of nature, being part and parcel of Lord Kṛṣṇa, but in conditioned life he manifests material qualities. This is described in the following verses.
FAQs
In this verse, Krishna begins explaining how a person’s nature and behavior arise from the influence of the material modes when they act in an unmixed way.
Krishna teaches Uddhava to recognize how material qualities shape consciousness, so one can discriminate, detach, and progress toward transcendence and pure devotion.
By identifying whether one’s thoughts and habits are sattvic, rajasic, or tamasic, a person can consciously elevate their lifestyle and mindset and move toward steadiness, clarity, and devotion.