Sattvika, aka: Sāttvika; 6 Definition(s)

Introduction

Sattvika means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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)

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 Āyurvedic (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.

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)

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 (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, e.g., 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) and poetic works (kavya).

Vaishnavism (Vaishava 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).

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)

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.

Languages of India and abroad

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) Bg.7.12;14.16.

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

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