How many tatvas are there?

[A question by Shri Jayesh Pandey]

Swami replied:- Do not bother about the number of permutations and combinations of the three basic qualities (Sattvam, Rajas and Tamas). You concentrate on the basic three tattvams, which are spiritual knowledge (Sattvam) of God, divine devotion (Tamas) to God and practical devotion to God (Rajas) only, which will lift you to the climax position.