FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.25.15

यदा जयेद् रज: सत्त्वं तमो मूढं लयं जडम् । युज्येत शोकमोहाभ्यां निद्रयाहिंसयाशया ॥ १५ ॥
yadā jayed rajaḥ sattvaṁ
[yadaa jayed rajah sattvam]
tamo mūḍhaṁ layaṁ jaḍam
[tamo moodham layam jadam]
yujyeta śoka-mohābhyāṁ
[yujyeta shoka-mohaabhyaam]
nidrayā hiṁsayāśayā
[nidrayaa himsayaashayaa]
yadā — when jayet — conquers rajaḥ sattvam — the modes of passion and goodness tamaḥ — the mode of darkness mūḍham — defeating one’s discrimination layam — covering over consciousness jaḍam — devoid of endeavor yujyeta — one becomes endowed śoka — with lamentation mohābhyām — and bewilderment nidrayā — with oversleeping hiṁsayā — with violent qualities āśayā — and false hopes.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
yadā jayed rajaḥ sattvaṁ
yadā
when
jayet
conquers
rajaḥ sattvam
the modes of passion and goodness
tamo mūḍhaṁ layaṁ jaḍam
tamaḥ
the mode of darkness
mūḍham
defeating one’s discrimination
layam
covering over consciousness
jaḍam
devoid of endeavor
yujyeta śoka-mohābhyāṁ
yujyeta
one becomes endowed
śoka
with lamentation
mohābhyām
and bewilderment
nidrayā hiṁsayāśayā
nidrayā
with oversleeping
hiṁsayā
with violent qualities
āśayā
and false hopes.
When the mode of ignorance conquers passion and goodness, it covers one’s consciousness and makes one foolish and dull. Falling into lamentation and illusion, a person in the mode of ignorance sleeps excessively, indulges in false hopes, and displays violence toward others.
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
When tamas, with qualities of lack of discrimination, obscuration and lack of endeavor, conquers rajas and sattva, a person becomes endowed with lamentation, illusion, violence, sleep and empty aspirations. When tamas, which has no discrimination, which obscures (layam) and is devoid of endeavor, conquers rajas and sattva, a person becomes endowed with lamentation, illusion and violence (from lack of discrimination), with sleep (from its obscuring nature) and vain hopes (from lack of endeavor). From later explanations it should be understood that these respective times also become endowed with these qualities. When all three guṇas are conquered by bhakti, one becomes endowed with the bliss of prema. This statement should also be placed here following the pattern of later statements in the chapter.
When ignorance conquers, consciousness is covered, the person is foolish and dull, sleeps excessively, indulges false hopes, and displays violence to others. The signs are bleak.
Reflection Questions
  • When have I been most in this mode without naming it?
  • What single act of goodness reverses the slide?
📝 My note

← Read full Chapter 25