Chapter 18 • Verse 37
यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम्। तत्सुखं सात्त्विकं प्रोक्तमात्मबुद्धिप्रसादजम्॥
yat tad agre viṣham iva pariṇāme 'mṛitopamam tat sukhaṁ sāttvikaṁ proktam ātma-buddhi-prasāda-jam
Meaning
That happiness which is like poison in the beginning and nectar in the end, arising from the clarity of self-knowledge — that is declared to be sattvic.
Sattvic happiness seems difficult at first (like poison) but becomes nectar over time. It arises from clarity of understanding. Spiritual practice initially requires effort but yields lasting bliss.
Strength Reflection
"I embrace practices that seem difficult now but yield lasting happiness."
Devotional Surrender
O Lord, help me persist through initial difficulty to taste the nectar of sattvic joy.