Sattvika, Sāttvika: 19 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Ayurveda
2. Natyashastra
3. Vaishnavism
4. Shilpashastra
5. Purana
6. Jyotisha
7. Yoga
Languages
1. Sanskrit
2. Hindi
3. Kannada
See also
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Introduction:

Sattvika means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany

Sāttvika (सात्त्विक) is a Sanskrit word referring to a classification of human constitution (prakṛti) where Sattva-quality has its dominance. The word is used throughout Ayurvedic (India medicine) literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā and the Suśruta-saṃhitā. A skilled physician should monitor the constitution of a patient during treatment with medicines and prescribing his diet.

Source: Google Books: Essentials of Ayurveda

The person of Sāttvika nature is pure and has positive outlook, is devoted to gods and teachers, happy, intelligent, critical, studious and adopts middle course.

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Sattvika (सत्त्विक) refers to “the temperament” and forms a part of abhinaya (techniques of representation), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 8. Abhinaya is used in communicating the meaning of the drama (nāṭya) and calling forth the sentiment (rasa).

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Pure Bhakti: Jaiva-dharma

Sāttvika (सात्त्विक) or Sāttvikabhāva refers to one of the four ingredients of rasa.—The word sattva refers to the citta (pure heart or consciousness) that is stimulated by any bhāva in relation to Kṛṣṇa, either directly or with some obstruction. The bhāvas that are born from this sattva are called sāttvika-bhāvas. There are three types of sāttvika-bhāvas: smooth (snigdha), smeared (digdha), and rough (rukṣa).

How does sāttvika-bhāva arise? When the heart (citta) of the sādhaka becomes saturated with sattva-bhāva (pure emotion related to Kṛṣṇa), it submits itself to the life air (prāṇa). Then, when the prāṇa has been excited, it is transformed and causes the appearance of profuse agitation in the body. At that time, the bodily transformations such as stambha (becoming stunned) occur.

How many types of sāttvika transformations are there? There are eight sāttvika transformations, namely, becoming stunned (stambha); perspiration (sveda); horripilation (romāñca); faltering of the voice (svara-bheda); trembling (vepathu); transformations of the bodily color (vaivarṇya), such as dirtiness and thinness, which occur due to emotions such as despair, fear, and anger; shedding tears (aśru); and devastation (pralaya).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)

Sāttvika (सात्त्विक) refers to “of the mode of goodness”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)

Sāttvika (सात्त्विक) refers to a specific mode of classifying Hindu images, as defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—There are three modes in classifying the deities. Depending on the classical guṇa that they signify or embody, they are classified into sāttvika image, rājasa image and tāmasa image. The sāttvika image is represented in a yogic stance. The expression of the deity is very calm, tranquil, bright, ethereal, pure, wise, and luminous. The mudrās in the hands are held in such a way that they dispel fear and offer benediction to the worshipper. The images of Dakṣiṇāmūrti, Gaṇeśa, Candraśekhara, Lakṣmī, Sarasvatī, Rājarājeśvarī and Śrīnivāsa are typical examples of the sāttvika form.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Sāttvika (सात्त्विक) refers to the external nature of Viṣṇu and internal nature off Rudra, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.16:—“[...] Viṣṇu is of Sattva attribute, I (Brahmā) am of Rajas attribute and Rudra is of Tamas attribute. This is only in view of the activities in the world. But in fact and in name it is otherwise. Viṣṇu is of Tāmasika nature within but externally Sāttvika; Rudra is of Sāttvika nature within but of Tāmasic nature outside, I am of Rājasic nature throughout”.

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

Sāttvika (सात्त्विक) refers to one of the three different forms of mahat, according to the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—[...] From the disturbed prakṛti and the puruṣa sprang up the seed of mahat, which is of the nature of both pradhāna and puruṣa. The mahat-tattva is then covered by the pradhāna and being so covered it differentiates itself as the sāttvika, rājasa and tāmasa-mahat. The pradhāna covers the mahat just as a seed is covered by the skin. Being so covered there spring from the three fold mahat the threefold ahaṃkāra called vaikārika, taijasa and bhūtādi or tāmasa.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Sāttvika (सात्त्विक) refers to “one who is meek”, representing a desirable characteristic of an astrologer (Jyotiṣa), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 2), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “We shall now proceed to give a brief description of (the qualifications of) a jyotiṣaka. [...] He must be of cleanly habits, able, noble-minded, eloquent and of originality and imagination; must possess a knowledge of place and time; be meek [i.e., sāttvika] and without nervousness, must be difficult of conquest by his fellow students; must be able and devoid of vices; must be learned in matters of expiatory ceremonies, of Hygiene, of Occult Magic and of ablutions; must be a worshipper of the Devas and an observer of fast and penance; must be of remarkable genius and capable of solving any difficulties save in matters of direct divine interference; and finally, he must be learned in astronomy, natural astrology (Saṃhitā) and horoscopy”.

context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

Sāttvika (सात्त्विक) refers to “Sattvic” (i.e., “having the nature of sattva”), according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise dealing with meditation, absorption, yogic powers and liberation.—Accordingly, as Īśvara says to Vāmadeva: “[...] [These] four states of mind should be known by the wise: disintegrated, coming and going, integrated and absorbed. The disintegrated [mind] is said to be Tamasic, the coming and going [mind], Rajasic, the integrated [mind], Sattvic (sāttvika) and the absorbed [mind] is beyond [these] qualities. [...]”.

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Sāttvika (सात्त्विक).—a. (-kī f.) [सत्वगुणेन तत्कार्येण मनसा वा निर्वृत्तः ठञ् (satvaguṇena tatkāryeṇa manasā vā nirvṛttaḥ ṭhañ)]

1) Real, essential.

2) True, genuine, natural.

3) Honest, sincere, good.

4) Virtuous, amiable.

5) Vigorous.

6) Endowed with the quality Sattva (goodness).

7) Belonging to or derived from the Sattva quality; ये चैव सात्त्विका भावाः (ye caiva sāttvikā bhāvāḥ) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 7.12;14.16.

8) Caused by internal feeling or sentiment (as of love), internal; तद्भूरिसात्त्विकविकारमपास्तधैर्यमाचार्यकं विजयि मान्मथमाविरासीत् (tadbhūrisāttvikavikāramapāstadhairyamācāryakaṃ vijayi mānmathamāvirāsīt) Mālatīmādhava (Bombay) 1.26.

-kaḥ 1 An external indication of (internal) feeling or emotion, one of the kinds of Bhāvas in poetry; (these are eight: stambhaḥ svedo'tha romāñcaḥ svarabhaṅgo'tha vepathuḥ | vaivarṇyamaśrupralaya ityaṣṭau sāttvikāḥ smṛtāḥ || see S. D.164 also.

2) A Brāhmaṇa.

3) Name of Brahman.

4) An autumn night. -kam An oblation (without pouring water).

-kī Name of Durgā.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Sāttvika (सात्त्विक).—i. e. sattva + ika, I. adj. 1. Endowed with the quality sattva, i. e. the best of qualities, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 3, 263. 2. Endowed with goodness, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 12, 40. 3. Relating, belonging to, or proceeding from, that quality, [Bhagavadgītā, (ed. Schlegel.)] 7, 12; [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 12, 31. 4. Good, honest, true, [Hitopadeśa] i. [distich] 15, M. M.; sincere, [Mālatīmādhava, (ed. Calc.)] 16, 3. Ii. m. Brahman.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Sāttvika (सात्त्विक).—[feminine] ī relating to or endowed with the quality of goodness (ph.); courageous, energetic, virtuous, brave.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Sāttvika (सात्त्विक):—[from sāttva] mf(ī)n. ([from] sat-tva) spirited, vigorous, energetic, [Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc.

2) [v.s. ...] relating to or endowed with the quality Sattva (id est. ‘purity’ or ‘goodness’), pure, true, genuine, honest, good, virtuous (also applied to [particular] Purāṇas which exalt Viṣṇu, [Indian Wisdom, by Sir M. Monier-Williams 513]), [Maitrī-upaniṣad; Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc. internal, caused by internal feeling or sentiment, [Mālatīmādhava]

3) [v.s. ...] natural, not artificial, unaffected (as style), [Sāhitya-darpaṇa]

4) [v.s. ...] m. a state of body caused by some natural emotion (constituting a class of 8 Bhāvas holding a middle place between the Sthāyiand Vyabhicāri-bhāvas, viz. stambha, sveda, romāñca, svara-vikāra, vepathu, varṇa-vikāra, aśru, pralaya, qq.vv.), [ib.]

5) [v.s. ...] Name of Brahmā, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

6) [v.s. ...] of the eighth creation by Prajā-pati, [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary]

7) [from sāttva] n. an offering or oblation (without pouring water), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Sāttvika (सात्त्विक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Sattia.

[Sanskrit to German]

Sattvika in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Sāttvika (सात्त्विक):—(a) endowed with the quality of [sattva] (purity and goodness), virtuous, righteous; hence ~[tā] (nf); —[teja] glow of virtue/righteousness.

context information

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Sāttvika (ಸಾತ್ತ್ವಿಕ):—

1) [adjective] having or characterised by, moral virtue; righteous; genuine; honest; virtuous.

2) [adjective] free from sin or guilt; blameless; pure.

3) [adjective] having a mild, pleasant and friendly disposition; good-natured; amiable.

--- OR ---

Sāttvika (ಸಾತ್ತ್ವಿಕ):—

1) [noun] virtue, merit, excellence, etc. as one of the three classes of fundamental qualities.

2) [noun] a man endowed with these qualities.

3) [noun] a brāhmaṇa.

4) [noun] an epithet of Brahma.

5) [noun] any night of the season consisting of ofāsvayuja and Kārtika, the seventh and eighth months of Hindu lunar calendar.

6) [noun] the natural, bodily expression of internal feeling or sentiment.

7) [noun] (dance.) such an expression by a dancer.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Relevant text

Search found 83 books and stories containing Sattvika, Sāttvika; (plurals include: Sattvikas, Sāttvikas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Verse 12.31 < [Section VII - The Three Guṇas]

Verse 3.263 < [Section XVIII - Disposal of Offerings]

Verse 7.32 < [Section IV - Duties of the King]

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Verse 18.37 < [Chapter 18 - Mokṣa-yoga (the Yoga of Liberation)]

Verse 17.17 < [Chapter 17 - Śraddhā-traya-vibhāga-yoga]

Verse 17.20 < [Chapter 17 - Śraddhā-traya-vibhāga-yoga]

+ 32 more chapters / show preview

Classification of the Purāṇas < [Chapter 1 - An Introduction of the Purāṇas]

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Chapter 236 - Characterization of Various Texts and Doctrines < [Section 6 - Uttara-Khaṇḍa (Concluding Section)]

Chapter 2 - The Creation of the Elements, Prakṛti etc. < [Section 3 - Svarga-khaṇḍa (section on the heavens)]