Sattva

सत्त्व

नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter) · सत् (sat — to be, exist) + त्व प्रत्यय (quality of)

sattva

Fundamental Concepts

Quality of clarity and purity — one of the three guṇas

Sattva is one of the three guṇas (qualities) of prakṛti (nature). It represents clarity, balance, knowledge, and purity. A predominantly sāttvic mind is essential for Vedānta study — it is the mind that can receive and retain the teaching. The other guṇas are rajas (activity, passion) and tamas (inertia, darkness). Sādhana (practice) aims to cultivate sattva.

Related terms

Dharmaधर्म Yogaयोग Jñānaज्ञान

Want to study Vedānta in depth?

Learn about our study programs →