Sattva (सत्त्वम्)

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The word Sattva (सत्त्वम्) denotes one of the 3 gunas of nature. Also in Ayurveda Sattva refers to the manas or mind. It is that quality of mind which is considered guna and thus manas is referred from its guna named sattva.

तत्र सत्त्वं निर्मलत्वात्प्रकाशकमनामयम् |

सुखसङ्गेन बध्नाति ज्ञानसङ्गेन चानघ || 6|| B.G 14.6

Meaning: Amongst these, sattva guṇa, the mode of goodness, being purer than the others, is illuminating and full of well-being. O sinless one, it binds the soul by creating attachment for a sense of happiness and knowledge.

The word prakāśhakam means “illuminating.” The word anāmayam means “healthy and full of well-being.” By extension, it also means “of peaceful quality,” devoid of any inherent cause for pain, discomfort, or misery. The mode of goodness is serene and illuminating. Thus, sattva guṇa engenders virtue in one’s personality and illuminates the intellect with knowledge. It makes a person become calm, satisfied, charitable, compassionate, helpful, serene, and tranquil. It also nurtures good health and freedom from sickness. While the mode of goodness creates an effect of serenity and happiness, attachment to them itself binds the soul to material nature.

सर्वद्वारेषु देहेऽस्मिन्प्रकाश उपजायते |

ज्ञानं यदा तदा विद्याद्विवृद्धं सत्त्वमित्युत || 11|| BG.14.11

Sattva guṇa leads to the development of virtues and the illumination of knowledge.

Signs of Sattva dominance in manas

शुद्धसत्त्वजानि शौचमास्तिकत्वं, कृतज्ञता, दाक्षिण्यं,

व्यवसायः, शौर्य्यं, गाम्भिर्यं बुद्धिर्मेधा, स्मृतिः शुक्ल

वर्त्मरुचिर्भक्तिरभिषङ्गाभावस्तमोगुणो विपर्ययश्च||१९|| A.S.SHA. 5/19

Sattva as manas

तत्र सत्त्वं मनस्तस्योपप्लवो रजस्तमश्च इत्येवम्भूतात्मकं

देहमाहुः||२२|| a.s.sha 5/22