Word meanings
- sarva
- all
- dvāreṣu
- through the gates
- dehe
- body
- asmin
- in this
- prakāśaḥ
- illumination
- upajāyate
- manifest
- jñānam
- knowledge
- yadā
- when
- tadā
- then
- vidyāt
- know
- vivṛddham
- predominates
- sattvam
- mode of goodness
- iti
- thus
- uta
- certainly
Translations
When the wisdom-light shines through every gate of this body, then it may be known that Sattva is predominant.
When the light of knowledge gleams forth from all the gates of the body, then be sure that purity prevails.
When the illumination of knowledge radiates through all the doors of the senses in this body, then one should know that sattva has greatly increased.
जब इस मनुष्यशरीरमें सब द्वारों-(इन्द्रियों और अन्तःकरण-) में प्रकाश (स्वच्छता) और ज्ञान (विवेक) प्रकट हो जाता है, तब जानना चाहिये कि सत्त्वगुण बढ़ा हुआ है।Commentary
When a particular ality becomes predominant, it reveals its distinctive characteristics in man. Just as jasmine scatters its fragrance far and wide, so also knowledge disseminates itself in all directions. Convert Tamas into Rajas and Rajas into Sattva. Now stand firm in Sattva. You will get increase of light, purity, peace and harmony. Sattva will lead you upwards. You will have an upward pull towards the Supreme Light. Sattvic diet? Japa, meditation, study of holy scriptures, living in seclusion, company of holy men, singing His Names and glories, and regulation of breath (Pranayama) will increase Sattva.
Introspect. Look within. Watch the Gunas carefully. Be vigilant. Stand as a doorkeeper. Allow only Sattvic thoughts to pass through the door of the mental factory. Check Rajas. Curb Tamas. When Sattva predominates there is unruffled peace of mind, inner harmony, perfect serenity and tranillity. There is clarity or clear vision also. The understanding is not clouded. There is penetrative insight. The door or threshold of intuition is wide open. The senses will not run towards external objects.
The senses are the avenues of senseknowledge. They are the gateways of perception for the Self. When light shines in all the gates of the body, such as the eyes, the ears, etc. (in other words when there is the manifestation of the Buddhi-Vritti of the Antahkarana), then knowledge arises. You can understand by the mark of knowledge that Sattva is predominant. You can also know that Sattva is increasing by the mark of happiness. Just as the aspirant knows that Sattva is predominant in him by the marks of knowledge and happiness, so also he knows by the mark of knowledge that Rajas and Tamas are gradually decreasing.
The ears shun whatever is improper to be heard. The eyes abandon what they should not look at. The tongue avoids to speak anything that is not right to speak of. The mind is not attracted by the sensual objects. Purity thus increases gradually by Japa, meditation, and selfrestraint. If there is increase of Sattva or harmony, there is also increase of knowledge. Sattva is the only sure means for the attainment of the knowledge of the Self. It lays the foundation of knowledge.