When sattva, having overcome both rajas and tamas, comes to be, arises, grows: then sattva, having got a self, begins its own effect, knowledge, happiness and the rest, O Bhārata. So too when the quality rajas, having overcome both sattva and tamas, grows: then it begins its own effect, action, craving and the like. And when the quality named tamas, having likewise overcome both sattva and rajas, grows: then it begins its own effect, the veiling of knowledge and the rest. When a given quality has risen up, what is its mark? It is told.

Although the three, sattva and the rest, are attendant on the own-form of the self conjoined with nature, still, by the sway of earlier karma and by the unevenness of the food that nourishes the body, sattva and the rest go about in the manner of mutual rising and overpowering. Overpowering rajas and tamas, sattva sometimes stands risen up; likewise, overpowering tamas and sattva, rajas sometimes; and sometimes, overpowering rajas and sattva, tamas. And this is to be known only by the apprehending of its effect. The Lord says this.

This is a brief sub-gloss. For a fuller reading of this verse, see Madhusūdana, Śaṅkara, or Rāmānuja above.

Madhvacharya does not comment on this verse.