Sattvika, Sāttvika: 22 definitions
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)
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
Source: archive.org: The Elephant Lore of the HindusSāttvika (सात्त्विक) refers to “those (elephants) who are of the nature of Sattva”, according to the 15th century Mātaṅgalīlā composed by Nīlakaṇṭha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 8, “on marks of character”]: “Those having the character of gods, Kṣatriyas, Gandharvas, and Brahmans are of the nature of sattva [e.g., sāttvika]; the Vaiśyas and Śudras, of rajas; and the rest, of tamas”.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botanySāttvika (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 AyurvedaThe person of Sāttvika nature is pure and has positive outlook, is devoted to gods and teachers, happy, intelligent, critical, studious and adopts middle course.

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-śāstraSattvika (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).

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-dharmaSāttvika (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).

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.

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 TranslationSāttvika (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 studySāttvika (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.

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 VarahamihiraSāttvika (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”.

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 BirchSāttvika (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. [...]”.

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).
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts1) Sāttvika (सात्त्विक) refers to one of the various types of Bhakti (devotion), as discussed in chapter 5 of the (first part of the) Śāṇḍilyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 3600 Sanskrit verses dealing with devotion towards Kṛṣṇa who is identified with the Supreme, as well as ethical behavior and pious practices to be observed by devotees (bhaktas).—Description of the chapter [śāṇḍilyopadeśa-nirūpaṇa]: Śāṇḍilya says that the teaching he was given is so great that it will save even dumb animals and trees, as well as all humans. Then he says that there are several types of bhakti—Sāttvika, Rājasa, Tāmasa and Nirguṇa—and these each lead to different kinds of mokṣa. These are briefly expounded (4-27). [...]
2) Sāttvika (सात्त्विक) or Sāttvikaśāstra refers to “manuals used for worship in temples dedicated to Viṣṇu and Lakṣmī”, as discussed in chapter 30 of the Śrīpraśnasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 5500 Sanskrit verses covering a number of subjects ranging from selecting a temple site through building and furnishing it to sanctifying and maintaining worship in the sacred complex.—Description of the chapter [nityahoma-ādi-sudarśanārcana-anta-vidhi]: [...] Sāttvika-śāstras are used for worship in temples dedicated to Viṣṇu and Lakṣmī by dvija-yajamānas, while Rājasa-śāstras are used in those constructed by other humans (like Śūdras and women). When a temple is devoted to the worship of a lesser deity, Tāmasa-śāstras only guide the worship (224-2252).
3) Sāttvika (सात्त्विक) refers to a classification of food, as discussed in chapter 3 of the Ṛṣirātra section of the Sanatkumārasaṃhitā: an encyclopedic Sanskrit text written in over 3500 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as yoga, temple-building, consecration ceremonies, initiation and dhanurveda (martial arts).—Description of the chapter [yogavidhi]: Sanatkumāra says that the practice of yoga brings success to those who do it. He commences his discussion by citing certain foods that are sāttvika, rājasa and tāmasa in character (1-24a). He then names and describes ten āsana-postures (24b-39). [...]

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Mantrashastra (the science of Mantras)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (mantra)Sāttvika (सात्त्विक) refers to a classification of Mantras, as discussed in chapter 14 of the Śeṣasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 2800 Sanskrit verses narrated by Śeṣa (=Ananta) to Nārada and dealing primarily with the use of the appropriate mantras for various occasions such as jayantī celebrations.—[Description of the chapter sāttvika-mantra]: Nārada asks Śeṣa to tell him what are the things to be repeatedly done [puraścaraṇa] to assure the validity of the sāttvika-mantras. After cataloguing the mantras which are to be considered sāttvika (1-8a), he begins to tell about nyāsa-concentrations and the necessity for doing them (8b-22). This is followed by a similar treatment of mudrā-gestures (23-26a). [...]
Mantrashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, mantraśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mantras—chants, incantations, spells, magical hymns, etc. Mantra Sastra literature includes many ancient books dealing with the methods reciting mantras, identifying and purifying its defects and the science behind uttering or chanting syllables.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionarySāttvika (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 DictionarySāttvika (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 DictionarySāttvika (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 Dictionary1) 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]
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 dictionarySāttvika (सात्त्विक):—(a) endowed with the quality of [sattva] (purity and goodness), virtuous, righteous; hence ~[tā] (nf); —[teja] glow of virtue/righteousness.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusSāttvika (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.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionarySāttvika (सात्त्विक):—adj. 1. true; genuine; natural; 2. honest; sincere; good; 3. virtuous; righteous; 4. endowed with the quality sattva (सत्त्व [sattva ] : purity and goodness);
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Sattvikabhava, Sattvikabhinaya, Sattvikabrahmavidyavilasa, Sattvikacara, Sattvikam, Sattvikamantra, Sattvikapuranavibhaga, Sattvikasarga, Sattvikashastra, Sattvikavrahmavidyavilasa, Shattvika-dana.
Full-text (+288): Sattvikabhava, Abhinaya, Satvika, Sattvikam, Sattvikacara, Padmapurana, Satvikate, Citrasikhandisamhita, Rajasa, Satvikabhava, Citrashikhandi, Sattvikapuranavibhaga, Sattvikabrahmavidyavilasa, Akam, Sattvikashastra, Sattvikabhinaya, Jayottara, Tamasa, Sattvikasarga, Sattvikamantra.
Relevant text
Search found 126 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:
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
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]
Bhagavad-gita (with Vaishnava commentaries) (by Narayana Gosvami)
Verse 17.17 < [Chapter 17 - Śraddhā-traya-vibhāga-yoga]
Verse 18.37 < [Chapter 18 - Mokṣa-yoga (the Yoga of Liberation)]
Verse 17.20 < [Chapter 17 - Śraddhā-traya-vibhāga-yoga]
Yuktimallika by Vadiraja (critical study) (by Gururaj K. Nippani)
8. Vaikuntha is Laksmyatmaka < [Critical exposition (5) Phalasaurabha]
Historical Elements in the Matsya Purana (by Chaitali Kadia)
Classification of the Purāṇas < [Chapter 1 - An Introduction of the Purāṇas]
Dramaturgy in the Venisamhara (by Debi Prasad Namasudra)
Sāttvika-bhāvas (Involuntary States) < [Chapter 4 - Dramaturgy in Veṇīsaṃhāra]
Discussion on Emotion (Sthāyīn) < [Chapter 4 - Dramaturgy in Veṇīsaṃhāra]
Raudra Rasa (emotion of wrath) < [Chapter 4 - Dramaturgy in Veṇīsaṃhāra]
Samkhya elements in the Bhagavata-purana (by Jumli Nath)
Part 3.1 - The effects of Sattva-guṇa < [Chapter 3b - Puruṣa, Prakṛti and Guṇa in the Bhāgavatapurāṇa]
Part 1.3 - Evolutes of Prakṛti < [Chapter 2a - Theory of Creation and Dissolution in Sāṃkhya philosophy]
Part 2.3 - Means of liberation: Bhakti-Yoga < [Chapter 4b - Liberation as reflected in the Bhāgavatapurāṇa]
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