Shloka 27
मनु-उपदेशः — भूत-उत्पत्ति, इन्द्रिय-निवृत्ति, तथा पर-स्वभाव-विवेकः
Manu’s Instruction on Elemental Origination, Sense-Withdrawal, and Discrimination of the Supreme Nature
प्रीति: सत्त्वं रज: शोकस्तमो मोहस्तु ते त्रय: । ये ये च भावा लोके5स्मिन् सर्वेष्वेतेषु वै त्रिषु
prītiḥ sattvaṁ rajaḥ śokas tamo mohas tu te trayaḥ | ye ye ca bhāvā loke 'smin sarveṣv eteṣu vai triṣu ||
毗湿摩说道：爱恋与欢悦属于萨埵（sattva）；忧伤属于罗阇（rajas）；迷妄与昏暗属于怛摩（tamas）——此即三者。世间凡起一切心相，皆摄于此三之中。故当知情绪非究竟真实，不过是诸“德性”（guṇa）的流转；应修养清明之萨埵，以依正法（dharma）而行。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
All emotional and mental states (bhāvas) can be understood as expressions of the three guṇas: joy/affection aligns with sattva, grief with rajas, and delusion with tamas. Ethical cultivation involves increasing sattva—clarity and balance—so one is less driven by agitation (rajas) or confusion (tamas).
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on conduct and inner discipline, Bhishma teaches Yudhiṣṭhira a framework for interpreting human emotions. He classifies common experiences—happiness, sorrow, and delusion—under the three guṇas, presenting a practical lens for self-governance and dharmic living.