Gunavaishamya: The Proportions of the Gunas in Mahat-tattva

Verse 1 (garuda.2.53.1)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । यथा ससर्ज भगवांस्त्रीन् गुणान्प्रकृतेस्तदा । लक्ष्मीस्त्रिरूपा संभूता श्रीर्भूर्दुर्गोति संज्ञिता

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca yathā sasarja bhagavāṁstrīn guṇānprakṛtestadā lakṣmīstrirūpā saṁbhūtā śrīrbhūrdurgoti saṁjñitā

Shri Krishna said: When the Lord created the three qualities of Prakriti, Lakshmi too became threefold, appearing under the names Shri, Bhu and Durga.

Verse 2 (garuda.2.53.2)

सत्त्वाभिमानिनी श्रीस्तु भूर्देवी रजमानिनी । तमोभिमानिनी दुर्गा ह्येवमाहुर्मनीषिणः

sattvābhimāninī śrīstu bhūrdevī rajamāninī tamobhimāninī durgā hyevamāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ

Shri is the goddess presiding over sattva, the goddess Bhu presides over rajas, and Durga presides over tamas — thus the wise declare.

Verse 3 (garuda.2.53.3)

अन्तरं न विजानीयाद्रूपाणां च परस्परम् । गुणानां चैव संबन्धाद्दुर्गादीनां खगेश्वर

antaraṁ na vijānīyādrūpāṇāṁ ca parasparam guṇānāṁ caiva saṁbandhāddurgādīnāṁ khageśvara

O lord of birds, one should never think that there is any real difference among these forms, nor among Durga and the rest by reason of their association with the gunas.

Verse 4 (garuda.2.53.4)

अन्तरं ये विजानन्ति ते यान्त्यन्धन्तमः परम् । पुरुषस्तु त्रिरूपोभूद्विष्णुर्ब्रह्मा भवेतिसः

antaraṁ ye vijānanti te yāntyandhantamaḥ param puruṣastu trirūpobhūdviṣṇurbrahmā bhavetisaḥ

Those who imagine such a real difference go down into the terrible darkness. In the same way, the Purusha too became threefold — Vishnu, Brahma, and that other, Rudra.

Verse 5 (garuda.2.53.5)

सत्त्वेन लोकान्वर्धयितुं विष्णुः साक्षाद्धरिः स्वयम् । सृष्टिं कर्तुं च रजसा ब्रह्मणि प्राविशद्धरिः

sattvena lokānvardhayituṁ viṣṇuḥ sākṣāddhariḥ svayam sṛṣṭiṁ kartuṁ ca rajasā brahmaṇi prāviśaddhariḥ

To sustain and increase the worlds, through sattva, Hari himself remains directly as Vishnu; and to perform creation, through rajas, Hari entered into Brahma.

Verse 6 (garuda.2.53.6)

आद्यो ब्रह्मा स विज्ञेयो न तु साक्षाद्धरिः स्वयम् । तमसापि समान्हन्तुं रुद्रे च प्राविशद्धरिः

ādyo brahmā sa vijñeyo na tu sākṣāddhariḥ svayam tamasāpi samānhantuṁ rudre ca prāviśaddhariḥ

That primal Brahma is to be known as not being Hari himself directly. Through tamas too, in order to perform destruction, Hari entered into Rudra.

Verse 7 (garuda.2.53.7)

रुद्रे स्थितो रुद्रसंज्ञो न रुद्रस्तु हरिः स्वयम् । विष्णुरेव हरिः साक्षात्तावुभौन हरी स्मृतौ

rudre sthito rudrasaṁjño na rudrastu hariḥ svayam viṣṇureva hariḥ sākṣāttāvubhauna harī smṛtau

Being established within Rudra, he receives the name 'Rudra,' but Hari himself is not Rudra. Hari directly is Vishnu alone; neither Brahma nor Rudra is called 'Hari' [in that direct sense].

Verse 8 (garuda.2.53.8)

आविष्टरूपौ विज्ञेयौ ब्रह्मरुद्राभिधायकौ । एवं ज्ञात्वा मोक्षमेति नान्यथा तु कथञ्चन

āviṣṭarūpau vijñeyau brahmarudrābhidhāyakau evaṁ jñātvā mokṣameti nānyathā tu kathañcana

Both those bearing the names Brahma and Rudra are to be known as forms entered into by Hari. Only by knowing thus is liberation attained, and not otherwise in any way.

Verse 9 (garuda.2.53.9)

विष्णुब्रह्मादिरूपाणामैक्यं जानन्ति ये द्विजाः । ते यान्ति नरकं घोरं पुनरावृत्तिवर्जितम्

viṣṇubrahmādirūpāṇāmaikyaṁ jānanti ye dvijāḥ te yānti narakaṁ ghoraṁ punarāvṛttivarjitam

Those brahmins who take the forms of Vishnu, Brahma and the rest to be wholly and simply identical go to a terrible hell from which there is no return.

Verse 10 (garuda.2.53.10)

गुणत्रयं प्रविष्टस्तु पुरुषो हरिरव्ययः । कार्योन्मुखं यथा भूयात्क्षोभयामास वै तथा

guṇatrayaṁ praviṣṭastu puruṣo hariravyayaḥ kāryonmukhaṁ yathā bhūyātkṣobhayāmāsa vai tathā

Having entered into the three gunas, the imperishable Purusha, Hari, thoroughly agitated them so that creative activity might proceed.

Verse 11 (garuda.2.53.11)

जातक्षोभाद्भगवतो महानासीद्गुणत्रयात् । गुणत्रये विद्यमानाद्भागादेव न संशयः

jātakṣobhādbhagavato mahānāsīdguṇatrayāt guṇatraye vidyamānādbhāgādeva na saṁśayaḥ

From that agitation, Mahat-tattva arose from the Lord out of the three gunas; there is no doubt that this arose precisely from that portion present within the three gunas.

Verse 12 (garuda.2.53.12)

महतो ब्रह्मवायू च जज्ञाते खाभिमानिनौ । तस्य संवत्सरात्पश्चाद्यमलौ संबभूवतुः

mahato brahmavāyū ca jajñāte khābhimāninau tasya saṁvatsarātpaścādyamalau saṁbabhūvatuḥ

From the Mahat, Brahma and Vayu, the presiding deities of ether, were born; and a year after that, twin offspring were born to the two of them.

Verse 13 (garuda.2.53.13)

रजः प्रधानं यत्तत्वं महत्तत्तवमितीरितम् । सर्गं त्विमं विजानीयाद्गुणवैषम्यनामकम्

rajaḥ pradhānaṁ yattatvaṁ mahattattavamitīritam sargaṁ tvimaṁ vijānīyādguṇavaiṣamyanāmakam

That principle in which rajas predominates is called Mahat-tattva. This creation is to be known by the name 'gunavaishamya' — the disparity of the gunas.

Verse 14 (garuda.2.53.14)

गरुड उवाच । महत्तत्तवस्वरूपस्य ज्ञानार्थं देवकीसुत । त्वयोक्ता गुणवैषम्यनामिका सृष्टिरुत्तमा

garuḍa uvāca mahattattavasvarūpasya jñānārthaṁ devakīsuta tvayoktā guṇavaiṣamyanāmikā sṛṣṭiruttamā

Garuda said: O son of Devaki, in order to explain the nature of Mahat-tattva, you have spoken of this excellent creation called 'gunavaishamya.'

Verse 15 (garuda.2.53.15)

गुणवैषम्यशब्दार्थं मम ब्रूहि महाप्रभो । श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । गुणवैषम्यशब्दार्थज्ञापनाय खगेश्वर

guṇavaiṣamyaśabdārthaṁ mama brūhi mahāprabho śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca guṇavaiṣamyaśabdārthajñāpanāya khageśvara

O great Lord, tell me the meaning of the term 'gunavaishamya.' Shri Krishna said: O lord of birds, in order to make known the meaning of the term 'gunavaishamya,'

Verse 16 (garuda.2.53.16)

अपिक्षितं च तत्रादौ गुणसाम्यं न संशयः । सम्यग्ज्ञापयितुं तत्र खादौ तावत्स्वगेश्वर

apikṣitaṁ ca tatrādau guṇasāmyaṁ na saṁśayaḥ samyagjñāpayituṁ tatra khādau tāvatsvageśvara

it is first necessary to understand 'gunasamya,' the equilibrium of the gunas — of this there is no doubt. O lord of birds, in order to explain that clearly first,

Verse 17 (garuda.2.53.17)

राशिभूतं गुणानां तु दर्शयिष्ये स्थितिं च वै । राशीभूतस्य तसमः सकाशाद्विनतासुत

rāśibhūtaṁ guṇānāṁ tu darśayiṣye sthitiṁ ca vai rāśībhūtasya tasamaḥ sakāśādvinatāsuta

O son of Vinata, I shall show the massed, aggregated state of the gunas. Relative to the massed state of tamas,

Verse 18 (garuda.2.53.18)

राशीभूतं रजो ज्ञेयन्द्विगुणं तत्तु नान्यथा । राशीभूतस्य रजसः सकाशाद्विनतासुत

rāśībhūtaṁ rajo jñeyandviguṇaṁ tattu nānyathā rāśībhūtasya rajasaḥ sakāśādvinatāsuta

the massed state of rajas is to be known as twice that, and not otherwise. Relative to the massed state of rajas, O son of Vinata,

Verse 19 (garuda.2.53.19)

राशीभूतं तथा सत्त्वं द्विगुणं समुदाहृतम् । मूलप्रकृतिजा ह्येते न मूला प्रकृतिः स्मृता

rāśībhūtaṁ tathā sattvaṁ dviguṇaṁ samudāhṛtam mūlaprakṛtijā hyete na mūlā prakṛtiḥ smṛtā

the massed state of sattva too is declared to be twice that. These [rajas and sattva] arise from the root-Prakriti; they are not themselves called the root-Prakriti.

Verse 20 (garuda.2.53.20)

यतः प्रकृतिरूपाणां परिच्छेदो न विद्यते । अतः प्रकृतिजा ज्ञेया न मूलास्ते खगेश्वर

yataḥ prakṛtirūpāṇāṁ paricchedo na vidyate ataḥ prakṛtijā jñeyā na mūlāste khageśvara

Since no delimitation is possible of Prakriti's own root forms, therefore, O lord of birds, these which arise from Prakriti should not be known as the root-Prakriti itself.

Verse 21 (garuda.2.53.21)

एवं तव गुणानाञ्च परिमाणं खगेश्वर । उक्तं स्वरूपं तेषां तु तव सम्यक्खगेश्वर

evaṁ tava guṇānāñca parimāṇaṁ khageśvara uktaṁ svarūpaṁ teṣāṁ tu tava samyakkhageśvara

O lord of birds, thus have I fully explained to you the measure and the nature of these gunas which you asked of.

Verse 22 (garuda.2.53.22)

तत्र राशित्रये सत्त्वं केवलं समुदाहृतम् । रजस्तमोभ्यां गरुड ह्यविमिश्रं ह्यतस्तु तत्

tatra rāśitraye sattvaṁ kevalaṁ samudāhṛtam rajastamobhyāṁ garuḍa hyavimiśraṁ hyatastu tat

Among those three masses, sattva is called 'pure,' unmixed; O Garuda, it is unmixed with rajas and tamas, and is therefore so termed.

Verse 23 (garuda.2.53.23)

केवलं सत्त्वमित्युक्तं न तु श्रेष्ठत्वतः प्रभो । सृष्टिकाले केवलं स्यात्प्रलये मिश्रितं भवेत्

kevalaṁ sattvamityuktaṁ na tu śreṣṭhatvataḥ prabho sṛṣṭikāle kevalaṁ syātpralaye miśritaṁ bhavet

O Lord, it is called 'pure sattva,' but not by reason of superiority. At the time of creation it is indeed unmixed; at the time of dissolution it becomes mixed.

Verse 24 (garuda.2.53.24)

सर्वदाप्यविमिश्रं च सत्त्वराशिं खगेश्वर । सर्वदापि विमिश्रं च सत्त्वराशिं द्विजोत्तम

sarvadāpyavimiśraṁ ca sattvarāśiṁ khageśvara sarvadāpi vimiśraṁ ca sattvarāśiṁ dvijottama

O lord of birds, those who understand the sattva-mass as being always, at every time, unmixed — or, O best of the twice-born, those who understand it as being always, at every time, mixed —

Verse 25 (garuda.2.53.25)

ये विजानन्ति ते सर्वे विशन्ति ह्यधरं तमः । रजस्तमोगुणौ वीन्द्र इतराभ्यां विमिश्रितौ

ye vijānanti te sarve viśanti hyadharaṁ tamaḥ rajastamoguṇau vīndra itarābhyāṁ vimiśritau

all such people, [failing to grasp the truth], enter into that grievous downfall. O lord of birds, the two gunas rajas and tamas remain always mixed with one another;

Verse 26 (garuda.2.53.26)

सृष्टौ प्रलयकालेपि मिश्रावेव खगेश्वर । राशिभूतेपि रजसि रजोभागाच्छताधिकम्

sṛṣṭau pralayakālepi miśrāveva khageśvara rāśibhūtepi rajasi rajobhāgācchatādhikam

even during both the times of creation and dissolution they remain mixed, O lord of birds. Even within the massed rajas, from out of the portion of rajas, more than a hundred parts—

Verse 27 (garuda.2.53.27)

सत्त्वं च मिश्रितं ज्ञेयं नान्यथा पक्षिसत्तम । रजसः शतभागानां मध्ये तु विनतासुत

sattvaṁ ca miśritaṁ jñeyaṁ nānyathā pakṣisattama rajasaḥ śatabhāgānāṁ madhye tu vinatāsuta

of sattva too are to be known as mixed within it, and not otherwise, O best of birds. O son of Vinata, among the hundred parts of rajas,

Verse 28 (garuda.2.53.28)

य एको भाग उद्दिष्टस्तावत्परिमितं तमः । राशिभूतेपि रजसि मिश्रितं परिकीर्तितम्

ya eko bhāga uddiṣṭastāvatparimitaṁ tamaḥ rāśibhūtepi rajasi miśritaṁ parikīrtitam

that one part which is designated — an equal measure of tamas too is declared to be mixed within the massed rajas.

Verse 29 (garuda.2.53.29)

रजोराशिस्थितिस्त्वेवं तात व्याप्तं तमोगुणैः । राशिभूतेपि तमसि सत्त्वं च विनतासुत

rajorāśisthitistvevaṁ tāta vyāptaṁ tamoguṇaiḥ rāśibhūtepi tamasi sattvaṁ ca vinatāsuta

Thus, O dear one, is the state of the rajas-mass, pervaded by the quality of tamas. Even within the massed tamas too, O son of Vinata, sattva —

Verse 30 (garuda.2.53.30)

तमः सकाशाद्गरुड दशभागाधिकेन च । मिश्रितं भवतीत्येवं ज्ञातव्यं नात्र संशयः

tamaḥ sakāśādgaruḍa daśabhāgādhikena ca miśritaṁ bhavatītyevaṁ jñātavyaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

O Garuda, relative to tamas, is mixed in by an amount exceeding ten parts — this is to be known, and there is no doubt about it.

Verse 31 (garuda.2.53.31)

तमसो दशभागानां मध्ये तु विनतासुत । य एको भाग उद्दिष्टस्तावत्परिमितं रजः

tamaso daśabhāgānāṁ madhye tu vinatāsuta ya eko bhāga uddiṣṭastāvatparimitaṁ rajaḥ

O son of Vinata, among the ten parts of tamas, that one part which is designated — an equal measure of rajas too —

Verse 32 (garuda.2.53.32)

राशिभूतेपि तमसि मिश्रितं भवति ध्रुवम् । तमोराशिस्थितिस्त्वेवं ज्ञातव्या पक्षिसत्तम

rāśibhūtepi tamasi miśritaṁ bhavati dhruvam tamorāśisthitistvevaṁ jñātavyā pakṣisattama

certainly becomes mixed within the massed tamas. Thus, O best of birds, is the state of the tamas-mass to be known.

Verse 33 (garuda.2.53.33)

गरुड उवाच । रशिभूतेपि रजसि राशिभूते तमस्यपि । सत्त्वांशा ह्यधिकाः संतीत्येवमुक्तं मयानघ

garuḍa uvāca raśibhūtepi rajasi rāśibhūte tamasyapi sattvāṁśā hyadhikāḥ saṁtītyevamuktaṁ mayānagha

Garuda said: O sinless one, you have said that within both the massed rajas and the massed tamas, the sattva-portions are greater.

Verse 34 (garuda.2.53.34)

तत्र मे संशयो ह्यस्ति शृणु त्वं सात्त्वतां पते । यद्राश्यां यद्रा शिभागा ह्यधिकाः संति यावता

tatra me saṁśayo hyasti śṛṇu tvaṁ sāttvatāṁ pate yadrāśyāṁ yadrā śibhāgā hyadhikāḥ saṁti yāvatā

In this I have one doubt, O Lord of the Sattvatas — hear it: when in a given mass, the portions of some other mass are the greater ones,

Verse 35 (garuda.2.53.35)

तावता व्यवहारः स्यात्क्षीरनीरमिव प्रभो । श्रुत्वा स गरुडेनोक्तं भगवान्पुरुषोत्तमः

tāvatā vyavahāraḥ syātkṣīranīramiva prabho śrutvā sa garuḍenoktaṁ bhagavānpuruṣottamaḥ

then, O Lord, by that very fact its designation would become like that of milk mixed with water [the two becoming indistinguishable]. Hearing this said by Garuda, the Lord Purushottama,

Verse 36 (garuda.2.53.36)

उवाच पर मप्रीत्या संस्तुवन् गरुडं हरिः । श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । रजोराश्या तमोराश्या सत्त्वराश्यधिका सदा

uvāca para maprītyā saṁstuvan garuḍaṁ hariḥ śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca rajorāśyā tamorāśyā sattvarāśyadhikā sadā

praising Garuda highly, spoke this word with the utmost affection. Shri Krishna said: The sattva-mass, relative to both the rajas-mass and the tamas-mass, is always the greater,

Verse 37 (garuda.2.53.37)

मिश्रितं चापि पक्षीन्द्र न सत्तवमिति कीर्त्यते । रजोराशिस्तमोराशिरित्येवं विबुधा विदुः

miśritaṁ cāpi pakṣīndra na sattavamiti kīrtyate rajorāśistamorāśirityevaṁ vibudhā viduḥ

and yet, O lord of birds, that which is [only slightly] mixed in is not therefore called sattva; the wise know it still as the rajas-mass and the tamas-mass respectively.

Verse 38 (garuda.2.53.38)

विषं तु चरुदुग्धस्थं विषमित्युच्यते यथा । एवं मयोक्ता गरुड गुणानां निजसंस्थितिः

viṣaṁ tu carudugdhasthaṁ viṣamityucyate yathā evaṁ mayoktā garuḍa guṇānāṁ nijasaṁsthitiḥ

As poison mixed within a milk-porridge is still called 'poison,' so too, O Garuda, have I explained to you the respective, inherent state of each guna.

Verse 39 (garuda.2.53.39)

साम्यावस्थां गुणानां च शृण्विदानीं खगेश्वर । राशीकृताच्च रजसः जन्यं यच्च कगेश्वर

sāmyāvasthāṁ guṇānāṁ ca śṛṇvidānīṁ khageśvara rāśīkṛtācca rajasaḥ janyaṁ yacca kageśvara

O lord of birds, now hear the state of equilibrium of the gunas. O lord of birds, that which arises from the massed rajas—

Verse 40 (garuda.2.53.40)

महत्तत्त्वे प्रविष्टं च यद्रजः परिकीर्तितम् । प्रलये समनुप्राप्ते महत्तत्त्वे स्थितं रजः

mahattattve praviṣṭaṁ ca yadrajaḥ parikīrtitam pralaye samanuprāpte mahattattve sthitaṁ rajaḥ

that rajas which is declared to have entered into Mahat-tattva — when dissolution comes, that rajas established within Mahat-tattva—

Verse 41 (garuda.2.53.41)

द्वादशांशेन तु ह्यद्धा विभक्तं भवतिं प्रभो । राशीभूते हि सत्त्वे तु दशभागेन मिश्रितम्

dvādaśāṁśena tu hyaddhā vibhaktaṁ bhavatiṁ prabho rāśībhūte hi sattve tu daśabhāgena miśritam

O Lord, becomes fully divided into twelve parts. Ten parts of it become mixed with the massed sattva,

Verse 42 (garuda.2.53.42)

सम्यक्भवति पक्षीन्द्र तथैकांशेन चाण्डज । तमोराश्या मिश्रितं च भवत्येव न संशयः

samyakbhavati pakṣīndra tathaikāṁśena cāṇḍaja tamorāśyā miśritaṁ ca bhavatyeva na saṁśayaḥ

this occurs fully, O lord of birds; and, O egg-born one, by one part it becomes mixed with the tamas-mass too, without any doubt.

Verse 43 (garuda.2.53.43)

अन्येनैकेन भागेन रजोराश्या खगेश्वर । मिश्रितं भवतीत्येवं ज्ञातव्यं नान्यथा क्वचित्

anyenaikena bhāgena rajorāśyā khageśvara miśritaṁ bhavatītyevaṁ jñātavyaṁ nānyathā kvacit

O lord of birds, by the one remaining part it becomes mixed with the rajas-mass itself — thus it is to be known, and not otherwise anywhere.

Verse 44 (garuda.2.53.44)

गुणत्रयेपि भगवान्महत्तत्त्वस्य चाण्डज । एवं लयस्तु ज्ञातव्यो हृदि तत्त्वार्थवोदिभिः

guṇatrayepi bhagavānmahattattvasya cāṇḍaja evaṁ layastu jñātavyo hṛdi tattvārthavodibhiḥ

O egg-born one, thus is this dissolution of the Lord's within the three gunas of Mahat-tattva to be known, in the hearts of those who know the meaning of truth.

Verse 45 (garuda.2.53.45)

एवं गुणत्रयाणां च मिश्रितत्त्वात्खगेश्वर । गुणसाम्यमिति प्राहुरेवं जानीहि वै खग

evaṁ guṇatrayāṇāṁ ca miśritattvātkhageśvara guṇasāmyamiti prāhurevaṁ jānīhi vai khaga

O lord of birds, it is precisely because of this mixing of the three gunas [in this particular proportion] that this state is called 'gunasamya' — know it exactly so, O bird.

Verse 46 (garuda.2.53.46)

अन्यथा ये विजानन्ति ते यान्ति ह्यधरं तमः । गरुड उवाच । राशीकृतगुणानां च त्रयाणां परमेश्वर

anyathā ye vijānanti te yānti hyadharaṁ tamaḥ garuḍa uvāca rāśīkṛtaguṇānāṁ ca trayāṇāṁ parameśvara

Those who understand it otherwise go down into the terrible darkness. Garuda said: O Supreme Lord, of the massed, vast three gunas,

Verse 47 (garuda.2.53.47)

विशालानां परं ब्रह्मन्प्रलये गुणसाम्यता । कथं ब्रूहि महाभाग एतत्तत्त्वं समासतः

viśālānāṁ paraṁ brahmanpralaye guṇasāmyatā kathaṁ brūhi mahābhāga etattattvaṁ samāsataḥ

the equilibrium of the gunas that occurs at dissolution — O brahmin, O greatly fortunate one, tell me this truth briefly.

Verse 48 (garuda.2.53.48)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । राशीभूतगुणानां तु त्रयणामपि सत्तम । तदा विमिश्रितत्वेन ह्यवस्थानं विदुर्बुधाः

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca rāśībhūtaguṇānāṁ tu trayaṇāmapi sattama tadā vimiśritatvena hyavasthānaṁ vidurbudhāḥ

Shri Krishna said: O best of the virtuous, that mixed state of the massed three gunas at that time — that alone the wise know as gunasamya.

Verse 49 (garuda.2.53.49)

इदानीं गुणवैषम्यं शृणु सम्यङ्मम प्रिय । सृष्टिकाले तु संप्राप्ते यत्पूर्वं प्रलये खग

idānīṁ guṇavaiṣamyaṁ śṛṇu samyaṅmama priya sṛṣṭikāle tu saṁprāpte yatpūrvaṁ pralaye khaga

O beloved, now hear well of gunavaishamya. When the time of creation arrives, O bird, that which, previously, in the time of dissolution—

Verse 50 (garuda.2.53.50)

दशभागैश्च सत्त्वे तु मिश्रितं यद्र जस्तथा । तमस्यप्येकभागेन प्रविष्टं यत्तु तद्रजः

daśabhāgaiśca sattve tu miśritaṁ yadra jastathā tamasyapyekabhāgena praviṣṭaṁ yattu tadrajaḥ

that rajas which was mixed with sattva by ten parts, and that [portion of] rajas which had entered tamas by one part,

Verse 51 (garuda.2.53.51)

रजस्यप्येकभागेन प्रविष्टं यच्च तद्रजः । एवं द्वादशभागैश्च प्रविष्टं सर्वशो रजः

rajasyapyekabhāgena praviṣṭaṁ yacca tadrajaḥ evaṁ dvādaśabhāgaiśca praviṣṭaṁ sarvaśo rajaḥ

and that [portion of] rajas which had entered rajas itself by one part — thus, in twelve parts altogether, rajas had entered everywhere.

Verse 52 (garuda.2.53.52)

सत्त्वस्तैर्दशभागैश्च तथैकेन रजोंशिना । एवमेकादशैर्भागैस्तमस्थांशेन वै व्दिज

sattvastairdaśabhāgaiśca tathaikena rajoṁśinā evamekādaśairbhāgaistamasthāṁśena vai vdija

O twice-born, together with those ten parts of sattva, and together with that one portion of rajas — thus with eleven parts — together also with the portion of tamas—

Verse 53 (garuda.2.53.53)

मिश्रितं भवति ह्यद्धा महत्तत्त्वं तदा स्मृतम् । एतदन्यो विशेषश्च मन्तध्यो विनतासुत

miśritaṁ bhavati hyaddhā mahattattvaṁ tadā smṛtam etadanyo viśeṣaśca mantadhyo vinatāsuta

having become fully mixed, that is then called Mahat-tattva. O son of Vinata, one further particular in this matter should also be considered:

Verse 54 (garuda.2.53.54)

एकांशस्तामसो ज्ञेयो महत्तत्त्वे न संशयः । एवं त्रयोदशैर्भागैर्मिश्रितं तच्च सत्तम

ekāṁśastāmaso jñeyo mahattattve na saṁśayaḥ evaṁ trayodaśairbhāgairmiśritaṁ tacca sattama

one portion within Mahat-tattva is tamasic, of this there is no doubt — thus, O best of the virtuous, it becomes mixed by thirteen parts in all.

Verse 55 (garuda.2.53.55)

एवमेतद्विजानीयान्नान्यथा तु कथञ्चन । गरुड उवाच । चतुर्मुखाच्छ्रुतं पूर्वं भगवन्सात्त्वतां पते

evametadvijānīyānnānyathā tu kathañcana garuḍa uvāca caturmukhācchrutaṁ pūrvaṁ bhagavansāttvatāṁ pate

Thus it is to be known, and never otherwise. Garuda said: O Lord, O Master of the Sattvatas, I had earlier heard from the four-faced Brahma that,

Verse 56 (garuda.2.53.56)

चतुर्भागात्समुत्पन्नं महत्तत्त्वमिति प्रभो । तत्रैकांशस्तमः प्रोक्तः त्रिभागो रज एव च

caturbhāgātsamutpannaṁ mahattattvamiti prabho tatraikāṁśastamaḥ proktaḥ tribhāgo raja eva ca

O Lord, Mahat-tattva arose from four parts — of these, one portion was said to be tamas, and three parts rajas alone.

Verse 57 (garuda.2.53.57)

तदाहुर्ब्रह्मणो रूपं गुणवैषम्यनामकम् । चतुर्भागात्मकं प्रोक्तं महत्तत्त्वं श्रुतं मया

tadāhurbrahmaṇo rūpaṁ guṇavaiṣamyanāmakam caturbhāgātmakaṁ proktaṁ mahattattvaṁ śrutaṁ mayā

That they called the form of Brahma named 'gunavaishamya' — I heard that Mahat-tattva was declared to consist of four parts.

Verse 58 (garuda.2.53.58)

त्रयोदशांशैः संभूतमिति प्रोक्तं त्वयानघ । तदेतत्संशयं छिन्धि कृपालो भक्तवत्सल

trayodaśāṁśaiḥ saṁbhūtamiti proktaṁ tvayānagha tadetatsaṁśayaṁ chindhi kṛpālo bhaktavatsala

But you have said it is composed of thirteen portions, O sinless one — therefore, O compassionate one, O lover of your devotees, resolve this doubt of mine.

Verse 59 (garuda.2.53.59)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । ब्रह्मोक्तम्य मयोक्तस्य विवादो नास्ति सर्वथा । मूलसत्त्वे मिश्रितं च दशभागेन यद्रजः

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca brahmoktamya mayoktasya vivādo nāsti sarvathā mūlasattve miśritaṁ ca daśabhāgena yadrajaḥ

Shri Krishna said: There is no contradiction whatsoever between what Brahma said and what I have said. That rajas which is mixed into root-sattva by ten parts—

Verse 60 (garuda.2.53.60)

तत्सर्वं च मिलित्वैव त्वेको भागस्तु कीर्तितः । मूले रजसि यच्चोक्तो रजोभागः खगेश्वर

tatsarvaṁ ca militvaiva tveko bhāgastu kīrtitaḥ mūle rajasi yaccokto rajobhāgaḥ khageśvara

all of those parts combined together are reckoned as one single part [in Brahma's count]. That portion of rajas which was spoken of as being in root-rajas itself, O lord of birds,

Verse 61 (garuda.2.53.61)

भागे द्वितीये विज्ञेयस्तद्रजो नात्र संशयः । मूले तमसि यच्चोक्तो रजोभागस्तथैव च

bhāge dvitīye vijñeyastadrajo nātra saṁśayaḥ mūle tamasi yaccokto rajobhāgastathaiva ca

is to be known as that [scheme's] second part, without doubt. That portion of rajas which was spoken of as being in root-tamas, likewise—

Verse 62 (garuda.2.53.62)

तृतीयभागो विज्ञेयो नात्र कार्या विचारणा । तथा मूले च तमसि ह्येको भागस्तमः स्मृतः

tṛtīyabhāgo vijñeyo nātra kāryā vicāraṇā tathā mūle ca tamasi hyeko bhāgastamaḥ smṛtaḥ

is to be known as the third part; there is nothing further to deliberate here. And likewise, that one part which was spoken of as tamas within root-tamas—

Verse 63 (garuda.2.53.63)

एवं त्रिभागो रजसः एकांशस्तमसः स्मृतः । तदाहुर्ब्रह्मणो देहं गुणवैषम्यनामकम्

evaṁ tribhāgo rajasaḥ ekāṁśastamasaḥ smṛtaḥ tadāhurbrahmaṇo dehaṁ guṇavaiṣamyanāmakam

thus three parts of rajas and one portion of tamas are reckoned — this alone is called the body of Brahma named 'gunavaishamya.'

Verse 64 (garuda.2.53.64)

गरुड उवाच । महत्तत्त्वस्य चत्वारो भागास्तेषु रजस्त्रयः । तमसस्त्वेक एवेति त्वयोक्तं गरुडध्वज

garuḍa uvāca mahattattvasya catvāro bhāgāsteṣu rajastrayaḥ tamasastveka eveti tvayoktaṁ garuḍadhvaja

Garuda said: You have said that Mahat-tattva has four parts, of which three are of rajas and one alone of tamas, O bearer of the Garuda banner.

Verse 65 (garuda.2.53.65)

रजोभागात्मको देहोः ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः । इति प्रतीयते ब्रह्मन्वचनात्तव माधव

rajobhāgātmako dehoḥ brahmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ iti pratīyate brahmanvacanāttava mādhava

O brahmin, O Madhava, from this statement of yours it appears that the body of Brahma the Creator is composed of the portion of rajas.

Verse 66 (garuda.2.53.66)

शुद्धसत्त्वात्मको देहो ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः । एवं हि श्रूयते कृष्ण संशयो मेत्र बाधते

śuddhasattvātmako deho brahmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ evaṁ hi śrūyate kṛṣṇa saṁśayo metra bādhate

But, O Krishna, it is also heard that the body of Brahma the Creator is of pure sattva — this doubt of mine stands in the way here.

Verse 67 (garuda.2.53.67)

तमेवं संशयं छिन्धि यद्धि तच्छ्रोतुमर्हति । श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । त्रिभागभूते रजसि तथा द्वादशधापि च

tamevaṁ saṁśayaṁ chindhi yaddhi tacchrotumarhati śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca tribhāgabhūte rajasi tathā dvādaśadhāpi ca

Remove this doubt of mine, for it deserves to be heard. Shri Krishna said: Within that threefold portion of rajas, and likewise within the twelve-part reckoning too,

Verse 68 (garuda.2.53.68)

रजसोपेक्षया सत्त्वं दशांशाधिकमेव च । प्रविष्टमस्तीति खग ज्ञातव्यं तच्छणु द्विज

rajasopekṣayā sattvaṁ daśāṁśādhikameva ca praviṣṭamastīti khaga jñātavyaṁ tacchaṇu dvija

relative to rajas, sattva has entered in an amount ten parts greater — O bird, this should be known; hear it, O twice-born.

Verse 69 (garuda.2.53.69)

तमसोपेक्षया सत्त्वं दशांशाधिकमेव वै । प्रविष्टमस्तीति खग वक्तव्यं नात्र संशयः

tamasopekṣayā sattvaṁ daśāṁśādhikameva vai praviṣṭamastīti khaga vaktavyaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

Relative to tamas too, sattva has entered in an amount ten parts greater — O bird, this must be stated, and there is no doubt about it.

Verse 70 (garuda.2.53.70)

तमसोपेक्षया तत्र तम एकादशं स्मृतम् । एकांशस्तु रजो ज्ञेयमेवमाहुर्मनीषिणः । एवं च मिलितान्भागान्वक्ष्ये शृणु महामते

tamasopekṣayā tatra tama ekādaśaṁ smṛtam ekāṁśastu rajo jñeyamevamāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ evaṁ ca militānbhāgānvakṣye śṛṇu mahāmate

Relative to tamas, tamas itself is there reckoned as the eleventh part, and one portion is to be known as rajas — thus the wise declare. Now I shall state these combined parts; hear, O highly wise one.

Verse 71 (garuda.2.53.71)

महत्तत्त्वसमुत्पत्ता उपादानं खगेश्वर । त्रयोदशांशा विज्ञेया द्वादशाशं रजः स्मृतम्

mahattattvasamutpattā upādānaṁ khageśvara trayodaśāṁśā vijñeyā dvādaśāśaṁ rajaḥ smṛtam

O lord of birds, the material cause from which Mahat-tattva arises is to be known as consisting of thirteen parts — of these, twelve parts are declared to be rajas,

Verse 72 (garuda.2.53.72)

एकांशस्तमसो ज्ञेयस्तत्र भागाञ्छृणु द्विजा । आदौ तु द्वादशांशेषु भागान्वक्ष्यामि तच्छृणु

ekāṁśastamaso jñeyastatra bhāgāñchṛṇu dvijā ādau tu dvādaśāṁśeṣu bhāgānvakṣyāmi tacchṛṇu

and one portion is to be known as tamas. O twice-born, now hear those parts — first, within those twelve parts, I shall state the sub-portions therein; hear them.

Verse 73 (garuda.2.53.73)

एकांशस्तमसो ज्ञेयस्तद्दशां शाधिकं रजः । तच्छतांशाधिकं सत्त्वमेवमाहुर्मनीषिणः

ekāṁśastamaso jñeyastaddaśāṁ śādhikaṁ rajaḥ tacchatāṁśādhikaṁ sattvamevamāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ

Within that, one portion is to be known as tamas, ten parts in excess is rajas, and a hundred parts in excess is sattva — thus the wise declare.

Verse 74 (garuda.2.53.74)

एकांशतमसि ह्येवं विभागाञ्छृणु सत्तम । एकांशस्तु रजो ज्ञेयस्तमो ह्येका दशाधिकम्

ekāṁśatamasi hyevaṁ vibhāgāñchṛṇu sattama ekāṁśastu rajo jñeyastamo hyekā daśādhikam

Within this one-portion-tamas [sub-category] too, hear the further division, O best of the virtuous — one portion is to be known as rajas, and tamas exceeds it by eleven parts.

Verse 75 (garuda.2.53.75)

तमोभागास्तु विज्ञेयास्तद्दशांशाधिकः स्मृतः । सत्त्वभाग इति ज्ञेयो महत्तत्त्वे खगेश्वर

tamobhāgāstu vijñeyāstaddaśāṁśādhikaḥ smṛtaḥ sattvabhāga iti jñeyo mahattattve khageśvara

The portions of tamas are thus to be known; and, O lord of birds, that which exceeds it by ten parts within Mahat-tattva is to be known as the portion of sattva.

Verse 76 (garuda.2.53.76)

सत्त्वांशो बहुलो यस्माच्छुद्धसत्त्वं चतुर्मुखः । उत्पत्तिर्महतश्चोक्ता एवं च विनतासुत

sattvāṁśo bahulo yasmācchuddhasattvaṁ caturmukhaḥ utpattirmahataścoktā evaṁ ca vinatāsuta

Since the sattva-portion is thus by far the most abundant, the four-faced Brahma is of the very nature of pure sattva. Thus, O son of Vinata, has the origination of Mahat-tattva been declared.

Verse 77 (garuda.2.53.77)

तज्ज्ञानान्मोक्षमाप्नोति नान्यथा तु कथञ्चन

tajjñānānmokṣamāpnoti nānyathā tu kathañcana

Only by knowing this is liberation attained, and not otherwise in any way whatsoever.