What is the difference of sattva and suddha sattva and visuddha sattva?

In the philosophical and spiritual traditions of India, particularly within the context of Vedanta and Gaudiya Vaishnavism, distinctions are made between sattva, suddha-sattva, and visuddha-sattva to describe different levels of purity and spiritual quality.

1. Sattva:
   • Sattva is one of the three gunas or modes of material nature described in the Sankhya philosophy, which also includes rajas (passion) and tamas (ignorance).
   • Sattva is characterized by purity, knowledge, and harmony, but it is still a part of the material nature (prakriti) and binds the soul (atma) to the cycle of birth and death through attachment to happiness and knowledge.
   • A person influenced by sattva is more likely to be calm, peaceful, and virtuous, but still within the realm of material existence.
2. Suddha-Sattva:
   • Suddha-sattva, often translated as “pure goodness,” is a state beyond the three modes of material nature. It is not tainted by any material qualities, including the material mode of goodness (sattva).
   • This term is especially used in the context of Vaishnavism to describe the transcendental quality of the spiritual world and the beings residing there.
   • Suddha-sattva is the intrinsic nature of the soul and the spiritual realm, free from the contamination of material nature, and is characterized by pure consciousness and bliss.
3. Visuddha-Sattva:
   • Visuddha-sattva takes the concept of suddha-sattva a step further, emphasizing a state of “extra purified” or “supremely pure” goodness.
   • While suddha-sattva already denotes purity beyond material contamination, visuddha-sattva often highlights an even higher level of spiritual purity and realization, particularly in the context of personal qualities or the environment that facilitates the highest devotional service to the Supreme.
   • In Gaudiya Vaishnavism, visuddha-sattva is associated with the highest level of bhakti (devotional service) and the internal potency of the Supreme Lord, facilitating the most intimate loving exchanges between devotees and the divine.

Suddha-sattva and visuddha-sattva are both beyond the material nature and pertain to the spiritual reality, but visuddha-sattva is often used to emphasize a more exalted or refined state of spiritual purity, particularly in the context of devotional service and love for the Supreme.