Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 41

Prāyaścitta, the ‘Elephant Bath’ Problem, and the Opening of Ajāmila-Upākhyāna

Devanagari script

येन स्वधाम्न्यमी भावा रज:सत्त्वतमोमया: । गुणनामक्रियारूपैर्विभाव्यन्ते यथातथम् ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

yena sva-dhāmny amī bhāvā rajaḥ-sattva-tamomayāḥ guṇa-nāma-kriyā-rūpair vibhāvyante yathā-tatham

Translation

Dù ngự nơi tự cảnh giới của Ngài, Nārāyaṇa vẫn điều hành toàn thể vũ trụ theo ba guṇa: sattva, rajas và tamas; nhờ Ngài mà chúng sinh nhận các sai biệt về phẩm tính, danh xưng, hành nghiệp và hình tướng; Ngài là nguyên nhân của vạn hữu.

Synonyms

• येन: by which
• येन: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/3rd), एकवचन; relative pronoun ‘by which/with which’

• स्वधाम्नि: in its own abode
• स्वधाम्नि: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वधामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/7th), एकवचन; locative ‘in one’s own abode/state’

• अमी: these
• अमी: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अदस् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/1st), बहुवचन; demonstrative ‘these’ qualifying भावा:

• भावाः: entities; states
• भावाः: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/1st), बहुवचन

• रजः-सत्त्व-तमो-मयाः: consisting of rajas, sattva, and tamas
• रजः-सत्त्व-तमो-मयाः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रजस् + सत्त्व + तमस् + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘made of rajas, sattva, and tamas’ (गुणत्रयमय) qualifying भावा:

• गुण-नाम-क्रिया-रूपैः: by qualities, names, actions, and forms
• गुण-नाम-क्रिया-रूपैः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण + नामन् + क्रिया + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/3rd), बहुवचन; instrumental plural ‘by/through qualities, names, actions, and forms’

• विभाव्यन्ते: are manifested; are made evident
• विभाव्यन्ते: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + भू (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान/Present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद; passive sense ‘are manifested/are made evident’

• यथा: as
• यथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमान/प्रकारवाचक अव्यय ‘as, according to’

• तथम्: so; accordingly
• तथम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक ‘thus, in that manner’ (here as paired with यथा)

Purport

The Vedas inform us:

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the three modes (rajas, sattva, tamas)?

This verse explains that the modes and their effects are manifested under the Lord’s own potency, appearing as qualities, names, activities, and forms in appropriate proportion.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe guṇas while narrating Ajāmila’s story?

He establishes the theological basis that material identity and behavior arise from the guṇas under divine control, preparing the listener to understand bondage, sin, and liberation in Ajāmila’s case.

Practical application of understanding guṇa, nāma, kriyā, and rūpa in modern life?

It helps one see how habits and identity are shaped by the modes, encouraging conscious choices (sattva and bhakti) rather than being carried by passion and ignorance.