Sattva Guna: The Quality of Happiness and How to Increase It

Among the various systems of Hindu philosophy, the Yoga system explains personality through the concept of Swabhava (innate behaviour), as outlined in the scriptures. This behaviour is considered the essential quality of the soul within us. It governs all our karma and is regarded as the root seed of our dharma (moral duties). In yogic terms, this behaviour is studied through the lens of the three Gunas, which define the qualities of one’s personality.

Sattva Guna, one of the three Gunas, is the quality that brings clarity, harmony, and stability to a person’s Chitta (mind).

Have you ever experienced a moment when you felt completely happy, calm, and whole? That deep sense of satisfaction arises from Sattva Guna, which becomes dominant within us during certain periods.

What Is Sattva Guna?

In the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 14, Verse 6), Lord Krishna explains the nature of Sattva Guna—the mode of goodness:

Sanskrit Verse:
tatra sattvaṁ nirmalatvāt prakāśhakam anāmayam
sukha-saṅgena badhnāti jñāna-saṅgena chānagha

Translation:
“Amongst these, Sattva Guna, the mode of goodness, being purer than the others, is illuminating and full of well-being. O sinless one, it binds the soul by creating attachment to happiness and knowledge.”

In this verse, spoken on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna describes Sattva Guna to Arjuna as a force that uplifts, yet gently binds the soul through its attachment to happiness and knowledge.

Sattva Guna represents a state of balance between overactivity and underactivity. It is one of the three fundamental qualities (Gunas) of existence. Among them, Sattva Guna is considered the purest and most harmonious.

This concept originates from the Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy. According to this system, Sattva leads one toward Dharma (the right way of living) and Gyan (knowledge).

Meaning & Interpretation

The Sanskrit term Sattva means purity or goodness, and Guna means quality or attribute. Together, Sattva Guna refers to the quality of goodness.

Sattva Guna is symbolised by the colour white, which represents peace and purity.

It embodies qualities such as selflessness, truth, knowledge, peace, harmony, creativity, and positivity. Sattva is the essence of living a peaceful, purposeful, and meaningful life.

What changes happen when sattva guna increases?

An increase in Sattva Guna leads to various positive effects: physically, mentally, and spiritually.

When Sattva becomes dominant in a person, the following changes are observed:

Behavioural changes

• The person develops a genuine desire to be good and becomes more caring towards others.
• They appear cheerful, happy, and full of gratitude.
• They gain greater self-control and display kindness, compassion, and non-violent behaviour.

Mental changes

• The Sattvic quality fills the mind with wisdom and clarity.
• It brings a sense of inner maturity and emotional stability.
• The individual can easily distinguish between needs and wants, right and wrong, and devoted vs. non-devoted actions.
• They perform their duties honestly, with a sense of goodwill and awareness about the consequences of their actions.

Spiritual changes

• The person develops reverence for divine principles and spiritual values.
• They become inwardly pure and experience subtle spiritual sensations.
• Sattva Guna also brings balance to the three Ayurvedic doshas Vata, Pitta, and Kapha supporting overall well-being.

Does sattva guna bring limitations ?

Although Sattva Guna brings many positive changes to a person’s life, it can also create certain limitations. It binds the individual through attachment to happiness and knowledge, which can subtly hinder spiritual liberation.

Sattva Guna makes a person kind, polite, and compassionate but these very qualities may sometimes be misused by others. People may take advantage of one’s goodness, mistaking it for weakness.

These are some of the apparent limitations that may arise when Sattva Guna becomes dominant.

Types of sattva guna

There are seven types of Sattva Guna, each associated with different divine traits. Based on these, we can distinguish various sattvic personality types among individuals.

1. Brahma Sattva (Sharing the Traits of Brahma)

People with Brahma Sattva are pure, emotionally stable, self-disciplined, and truthful. They are sober, intelligent, and free from anger, greed, selfish desires, and envy.

2. Arsa Sattva (Sharing the Traits of Rishis)

Also known as Rishi Sattva, these individuals are devoted to sacred rituals, scriptural studies, and spiritual vows. They are imaginative, intelligent, and free from ego, pride, hatred, envy, and anger.

3. Aindra Sattva (Sharing the Traits of Indra)

Aindra Sattva is marked by bravery, strength, and moral authority. These individuals are confident, eloquent, committed to righteous actions, and detached from base or selfish behaviour.

4. Yamya Sattva (Sharing the Traits of Yama)

People with Yamya Sattva are action-oriented, assertive, and possess strong memory and discipline. They are free from envy, hatred, attachment, and ignorance.

5. Varuna Sattva (Sharing the Traits of Varuna – God of Water)

Varuna types are patient, pure, and calm, with a love for cleanliness and water-related activities. They avoid impurity and anger and are typically conservative, yet balanced.

6. Kauvera Sattva (Sharing the Traits of Kuvera – God of Wealth)

These personalities value honour, wealth, and dignity. They are often wealthy, outgoing, and status-conscious. However, they may also be prone to occasional irritation.

7. Gandharva Sattva (Sharing the Traits of Celestial Nymphs – Gandharvas)

People with Gandharva Sattva are artistic and creative. They enjoy dancing, singing, poetry, and beauty. They have a gentle nature and often bring peace and joy to those around them.

How to increase sattva guna?

Increasing Sattva Guna means cultivating a state of mind that is steady, quiet, and peaceful. In simple terms, enhancing a Guna involves replacing old negative habits with new, positive ones that align with purity, balance, and inner harmony.

From a yogic perspective, one of the most effective ways to develop Sattva is by practising the Five Yamas and Five Niyamas, which are foundational to the Eight Limbs of Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga).

Below are some practical steps you can take to increase Sattva Guna in your daily life:

1. Eat healthy sattvic food

The food we eat not only affects our body but also has a direct impact on our mind.

Spicy, oily, or overly stimulating food often makes a person restless or aggressive. These are signs of a rajasic nature. Similarly, heavy foods like meat, alcohol, or intoxicants dull the mind and promote laziness traits of a tamasic personality.

In contrast, light, fresh, and calming food helps create peace and clarity within. To increase Sattva Guna, one should eat sattvic food.

A sattvic diet includes both the right kind of food and mindful eating habits. Such a diet typically consists of:

• Clean, fresh, wholesome, and natural foods
• Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and dairy products taken in moderation
• Food that feels pure and can be offered to God
• Digestive herbs like ginger, cardamom, cumin, and turmeric

Sattvic food follows the principle of Ahimsa non-violence. This means it avoids causing harm to any living being. Therefore, it is best to avoid non-vegetarian food and any items that involve cruelty or destruction in their preparation.

2. Maintain proper hygiene

To cultivate Sattva Guna, it is essential to keep both your body and surroundings clean. The environment you live in has a strong influence on your thoughts and energy. A clean space creates a calm and positive atmosphere, while clutter and mess can lead to mental restlessness.

Make it a habit to stay clean, wear fresh clothes, and keep your home and workplace tidy. Cleanliness not only reflects outer order but also supports inner clarity and balance.

3. Make sure to balance between work & leisure

Working without pause is a trait of a rajasic nature, while laziness reflects a tamasic tendency. A sattvic state lies in balancing both being active without attachment and resting without dullness.

Your senses deeply influence your thoughts and emotions. What you see, hear, or read shapes your mental state. Violent or disturbing content, whether in shows, games, or books, can subtly increase aggression or restlessness.

Instead, choose content that brings joy, peace, and love stories that uplift the mind and touch the heart. Such choices help nurture Sattva Guna and bring calmness to your inner world.

4. Your company matters

Be mindful of the people you spend your time with. The company you keep greatly influences your thoughts, emotions, and behaviour. Being around positive, thoughtful individuals can uplift you, while constant exposure to negativity can pull you down.

If you notice that your circle is causing agitation or holding you back, it may be time to take a step back. Instead, seek the company of those who are calm, creative, and peace-loving.

Spending time with individuals who reflect Sattva Guna will naturally help you develop those same qualities within yourself.

5. Avoid night work and rise early

Waking up early is a simple but powerful habit that brings calmness and clarity to your day. To wake up early, you must also sleep early. Human beings are naturally aligned with the rhythm of the sun—not meant for night work. Maintaining this natural cycle helps restore balance in both body and mind.

Sadhguru explains that the early morning time known as Brahma Muhurta is especially beneficial.

Brahma Muhurta begins about one and a half hours before sunrise and ends 48 minutes after sunrise. It is considered the most auspicious time to wake up, as subtle physiological changes occur in the body that promote stillness, clarity, and inner balance.

Waking during this period has a profound effect on your behaviour. It helps stabilise your mood, clears your mind, and nurtures Sattva Guna over time.

6. Spend time with nature

In the Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Shri Krishna says:

“vanaṁ tu sāttviko vāso”
“Residence in the forest is in the mode of Sattva.”
— Srimad Bhagavatam 11.25.25 (first line)

While it may not be practical to live in a forest today, this verse does not suggest we abandon modern life. Rather, it encourages us to stay connected with nature, as it naturally nurtures Sattva Guna.

Living far from nature and staying absorbed in technology tends to increase Rajas (restlessness) and Tamas (inertia). On the other hand, spending time in natural surroundings brings stillness, clarity, and a sense of inner peace.

Taking even a short walk in a park, sitting near trees, or watching the sunrise can calm your mind and restore balance. These simple moments help you reconnect with your inner self and gradually increase Sattva Guna.

7. Meditation

“When consciousness becomes clear and the senses are detached from matter, one experiences fearlessness within the material body and detachment from the material mind. You should understand this situation to be the power of the Sattva Guna (mode of goodness), in which one has the opportunity to realize Me (Lord Shri Krishna).”- [Srimad Bhagavatam 11.25.16]

Meditation helps create a natural sense of detachment from the material world. It clears the mind, purifies the inner self, and brings you closer to your true nature. Through regular meditation, you begin to rise above illusions and distractions, connecting deeply with your consciousness (Chitta).

Including meditation in your daily routine is one of the most effective ways to develop Sattva Guna. You can also support your practice with yoga asanas, pranayama, mudras, and other yogic techniques. These help calm the nervous system and prepare the mind for deeper meditation.

Over time, this consistent practice leads to inner stillness, clarity, and a steady growth in sattvic qualities.

8. Practice bhakti yoga

In the Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Shri Krishna says:

“mad-arpaṇaṁ niṣphalaṁ vā sāttvikaṁ nija-karma tat”
“Work performed as an offering to Me, without desire for its results, is considered to be in Sattva Guna.”
— Srimad Bhagavatam 11.25.23

“mad-arpaṇaṁ niṣphalaṁ vā sāttvikaṁ nija-karma tat”

Bhakti Yoga is the path of devotion. When you offer your actions to the Divine without expecting rewards, it brings inner peace, humility, and spiritual clarity. This quiet surrender uplifts the heart and calms the mind.

Practising Bhakti Yoga deepens your connection with the higher self. It purifies the intention behind your actions and shifts your focus from ego to devotion. This naturally increases Sattva Guna, nurturing qualities like compassion, faith, and inner contentment.

Conclusion

According to the Samkhya school of philosophy, no one is entirely sattvic. Every individual carries a mix of all three gunas Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. Our behaviour reflects the guna that is most dominant within us.

We are not born with a fixed dominance of any one guna. It is our daily actions, habits, and choices that shape which guna becomes prominent. By consciously changing these activities and aligning them with purity, truth, and balance, we can gradually increase the influence of Sattva Guna in our lives..