Beyond Sattva: The Joy of Bhakti
When we talk about happiness, we often refer to what the ancient Vedic texts call sattva-guna, or the mode of goodness. In case you’re not familiar with the concept of gunas, they are the three qualities of nature that influence all of us: tama-guna (ignorance), raja-guna (passion), and sattva-guna (goodness). These qualities constantly interact within us, creating our mental and emotional states.
The idea of gunas comes from the Vedas, one of the oldest bodies of knowledge, believed to have been given to humanity by God. The gunas shift within us all the time, affecting our moods and actions. For example, if you feel sluggish or overwhelmed, that might be tama influencing you. If you’re energized with grand plans for the future, it’s likely raja at work. And when you’re calm, content, and everything feels perfectly balanced, that’s sattva dominating.
The Harmony of Sattva
The state of sattva feels like perfection. Imagine watching a sunset, feeling at one with the world, filled with peace and gratitude. At that moment, you feel that everything is just right. You’re aware of your blessings and are deeply satisfied. Yet the next day, daily life pulls you back, and those feelings of harmony fade as other concerns take over. That’s because our consciousness shifts between the gunas—like filters, they change the way we see the world.
Bhakti vs. Sattva: The Key Difference
So, is bhakti (devotion to God) any different from the serene, fulfilling happiness of sattva? In my mind, sattva is often associated with wise elders—people who have fulfilled their duties, perhaps retired, and now live in harmony. They travel, see the beauty of the world, and are often spiritual, though not fanatical. Their lives are balanced, and they experience contentment and gratitude. However, sattva, as wonderful as it is, still keeps us within the material world. It doesn’t transcend it.
Even worldly love can lift us beyond the ordinary. We’ve seen people risk everything—comfort, wealth, and even life—for the love of their country or people. If human love can inspire such courage, imagine what love of God can do. God is the ultimate source of love and kindness, and this divine love has the power to carry us beyond the limitations of this world.
The Transcendence of Bhakti
The Vedas tell us that the joy of lovingly serving God—bhakti—is far greater than any happiness found in sattva or even liberation from the material world. Bhakti is described as sanatana-dharma—the soul’s eternal, intrinsic nature. When we practice bhakti, we align with this natural state, and the joy it brings surpasses anything the material world can offer, even the most peaceful state of sattva.
Sattva feels good because it brings balance, harmony, and gratitude, but bhakti takes us beyond. It connects us to the eternal reality, where love and devotion to God transcend all other forms of joy. While sattva is a worthy goal, bhakti leads us to the ultimate truth—our loving relationship with God, which is our true, eternal purpose.