Chapter 17 · Yoga through Discerning the Three Divisions of Faith

17.1

अर्जुन उवाच | ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः | तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः ||१७-१||

arjuna uvāca . ye śāstravidhimutsṛjya yajante śraddhayānvitāḥ . teṣāṃ niṣṭhā tu kā kṛṣṇa sattvamāho rajastamaḥ ||17-1||

Arjuna asks Krishna about those who abandon traditional rituals and still worship with devotion, wanting to know if their devotion is rooted in clarity, passion, or darkness.

17.2

श्रीभगवानुवाच | त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा | सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु ||१७-२||

śrībhagavānuvāca . trividhā bhavati śraddhā dehināṃ sā svabhāvajā . sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tāṃ śṛṇu ||17-2||

The faith that people have is rooted in their nature and comes in three forms: one driven by purity, one by passion, and one by darkness. Krishna is about to explain these to Arjuna.

17.3 · You become your faith

सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत | श्रद्धामयोऽयं पुरुषो यो यच्छ्रद्धः स एव सः ||१७-३||

sattvānurūpā sarvasya śraddhā bhavati bhārata . śraddhāmayo.ayaṃ puruṣo yo yacchraddhaḥ sa eva saḥ ||17-3||

The faith of each person is according to their nature, O Bharata. A person is made of their faith; as their faith is, so are they.

17.4

यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः | प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः ||१७-४||

yajante sāttvikā devānyakṣarakṣāṃsi rājasāḥ . pretānbhūtagaṇāṃścānye yajante tāmasā janāḥ ||17-4||

People with a pure and balanced nature tend to worship the divine, while those driven by passion and ambition often worship powerful beings like Yakshas and Rakshasas, and those with a darker, more ignorant nature worship spirits of the dead and other lower forms of life.

17.5

अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः | दम्भाहंकारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः ||१७-५||

aśāstravihitaṃ ghoraṃ tapyante ye tapo janāḥ . dambhāhaṃkārasaṃyuktāḥ kāmarāgabalānvitāḥ ||17-5||

Some people put themselves through extreme and unscriptural forms of self-denial, driven by pride, hypocrisy, and intense desires, which completely consume them. They're motivated by a toxic mix of ego and craving. Krishna is describing individuals who are controlled by their own selfish passions.

17.6

कर्षयन्तः शरीरस्थं भूतग्राममचेतसः | मां चैवान्तःशरीरस्थं तान्विद्ध्यासुरनिश्चयान् ||१७-६||

karṣayantaḥ śarīrasthaṃ bhūtagrāmamacetasaḥ . māṃ caivāntaḥśarīrasthaṃ tānviddhyāsuraniścayān ||17-6||

Those who torment their own bodies and disregard my presence within them are acting out of a destructive mindset, driven by dark intentions. They are oblivious to the harm they cause themselves and me, residing in their inner being. Recognize that such actions stem from a deeply flawed and malevolent resolve.

17.7

आहारस्त्वपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रियः | यज्ञस्तपस्तथा दानं तेषां भेदमिमं शृणु ||१७-७||

āhārastvapi sarvasya trividho bhavati priyaḥ . yajñastapastathā dānaṃ teṣāṃ bhedamimaṃ śṛṇu ||17-7||

The kinds of food that people enjoy can be categorized into three types, and the same is true for sacrifices, spiritual practices, and charitable giving - now, listen as the differences between these are explained.

17.8

आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः | रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः ||१७-८||

āyuḥsattvabalārogyasukhaprītivivardhanāḥ . rasyāḥ snigdhāḥ sthirā hṛdyā āhārāḥ sāttvikapriyāḥ ||17-8||

Foods that promote longevity, vitality, and overall well-being, and that are also delicious, nourishing, and satisfying, are the ones that people with a pure and balanced nature, like sattvic individuals, naturally prefer, as they bring joy and contentment.

17.9

कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिनः | आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दुःखशोकामयप्रदाः ||१७-९||

kaṭvamlalavaṇātyuṣṇatīkṣṇarūkṣavidāhinaḥ . āhārā rājasasyeṣṭā duḥkhaśokāmayapradāḥ ||17-9||

Foods that are bitter, sour, salty, too spicy, sharp, dry, or burning are preferred by those with a rajasic nature, and they bring only suffering, sadness, and illness.

17.10

यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् | उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम् ||१७-१०||

yātayāmaṃ gatarasaṃ pūti paryuṣitaṃ ca yat . ucchiṣṭamapi cāmedhyaṃ bhojanaṃ tāmasapriyam ||17-10||

Food that's stale, bland, rotten, or impure - the kind that's been left over and is unwholesome - is what people with tamasic tendencies tend to enjoy.

17.11

अफलाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते | यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः ||१७-११||

aphalāṅkṣibhiryajño vidhidṛṣṭo ya ijyate . yaṣṭavyameveti manaḥ samādhāya sa sāttvikaḥ ||17-11||

Sacrifice is considered pure when it's performed without expectation of reward, following the scriptural guidelines, and with a deep conviction that it's simply one's duty to do so.

17.12

अभिसन्धाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत् | इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम् ||१७-१२||

abhisandhāya tu phalaṃ dambhārthamapi caiva yat . ijyate bharataśreṣṭha taṃ yajñaṃ viddhi rājasam ||17-12||

When a sacrifice is performed with the goal of achieving a specific reward or to impress others, Arjuna, it's considered to be driven by worldly desires. This kind of sacrifice is rooted in ego and a desire for personal gain. Krishna considers it a sacrifice that arises from passionate and self-centered motivations.

17.13

विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम् | श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते ||१७-१३||

vidhihīnamasṛṣṭānnaṃ mantrahīnamadakṣiṇam . śraddhāvirahitaṃ yajñaṃ tāmasaṃ paricakṣate ||17-13||

A sacrifice that disregards spiritual laws, lacks sacred chants, and is devoid of generosity and faith is considered to be driven by darkness. It's a ritual that's empty and unmeaningful, ignoring the principles of scripture and the importance of selfless giving. This kind of sacrifice is rooted in ignorance and disconnection.

17.14

देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम् | ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते ||१७-१४||

devadvijaguruprājñapūjanaṃ śaucamārjavam . brahmacaryamahiṃsā ca śārīraṃ tapa ucyate ||17-14||

Worshiping the gods, respecting spiritual leaders and wise ones, and practicing purity, humility, self-control, and nonviolence are all considered physical disciplines.

17.15

अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् | स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते ||१७-१५||

anudvegakaraṃ vākyaṃ satyaṃ priyahitaṃ ca yat . svādhyāyābhyasanaṃ caiva vāṅmayaṃ tapa ucyate ||17-15||

Speech that doesn't hurt or provoke others, but is instead truthful, kind, and helpful, as well as the regular study of spiritual texts, is considered a form of spiritual discipline related to our words.

17.16

मनः प्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः | भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते ||१७-१६||

manaḥ prasādaḥ saumyatvaṃ maunamātmavinigrahaḥ . bhāvasaṃśuddhirityetattapo mānasamucyate ||17-16||

A calm and peaceful mind, a gentle nature, self-discipline, and inner purity - these qualities make up the practice of mental discipline.

17.17

श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः | अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते ||१७-१७||

śraddhayā parayā taptaṃ tapastattrividhaṃ naraiḥ . aphalākāṅkṣibhiryuktaiḥ sāttvikaṃ paricakṣate ||17-17||

When people practice these three types of austerity with unwavering faith and without expecting any reward, it's considered a sattvic approach, one that's pure and selfless.

17.18

सत्कारमानपूजार्थं तपो दम्भेन चैव यत् | क्रियते तदिह प्रोक्तं राजसं चलमध्रुवम् ||१७-१८||

satkāramānapūjārthaṃ tapo dambhena caiva yat . kriyate tadiha proktaṃ rājasaṃ calamadhruvam ||17-18||

Austerity practiced to gain admiration, honor, or worship, and done with hypocrisy, is considered rajasic, meaning it's unstable and fleeting, lacking lasting value. This kind of austerity is driven by a desire for self-importance and recognition. It's ultimately uncertain and short-lived.

17.19

मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः | परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ||१७-१९||

mūḍhagrāheṇātmano yatpīḍayā kriyate tapaḥ . parasyotsādanārthaṃ vā tattāmasamudāhṛtam ||17-19||

Austerity practiced out of ignorance or delusion, with self-inflicted pain or intent to harm others, is considered to be driven by darkness and ignorance. This kind of austerity stems from a misguided understanding and is rooted in darkness. It's an approach that harms oneself or others, and is therefore seen as a product of tamas.

17.20

दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे | देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ||१७-२०||

dātavyamiti yaddānaṃ dīyate.anupakāriṇe . deśe kāle ca pātre ca taddānaṃ sāttvikaṃ smṛtam ||17-20||

When you give to someone who can't repay you, simply because you know it's the right thing to do, and you choose the right time, place, and person, that's a truly selfless and pure act of giving. This kind of giving is considered to be in harmony with a balanced and virtuous nature. It's a gift that's given without expecting anything in return, but rather because it feels like the right thing to do.

17.21

यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः | दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् ||१७-२१||

yattu pratyupakārārthaṃ phalamuddiśya vā punaḥ . dīyate ca parikliṣṭaṃ taddānaṃ rājasaṃ smṛtam ||17-21||

A gift given in order to get something back, or with the expectation of a reward, or with a sense of obligation, is considered to be driven by selfish desires.

17.22

अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते | असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ||१७-२२||

adeśakāle yaddānamapātrebhyaśca dīyate . asatkṛtamavajñātaṃ tattāmasamudāhṛtam ||17-22||

A gift offered at the wrong time or place, to someone unworthy, or given disrespectfully, is considered tamasic.

17.23

ॐतत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः | ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा ||१७-२३||

OMtatsaditi nirdeśo brahmaṇastrividhaḥ smṛtaḥ . brāhmaṇāstena vedāśca yajñāśca vihitāḥ purā ||17-23||

The phrase Om Tat Sat is a three-part description of Brahman. In the past, the Brahmanas, the Vedas, and the sacrifices were all established based on this concept. This sacred expression has been the foundation for these ancient traditions.

17.24

तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः | प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ||१७-२४||

tasmādomityudāhṛtya yajñadānatapaḥkriyāḥ . pravartante vidhānoktāḥ satataṃ brahmavādinām ||17-24||

The sacred sound Om is what initiates acts of sacrifice, charity, and self-discipline, as prescribed by scripture, among those who seek to understand the ultimate reality of Brahman. These practices are always started with Om by people devoted to spiritual growth.

17.25

तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः | दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः ||१७-२५||

tadityanabhisandhāya phalaṃ yajñatapaḥkriyāḥ . dānakriyāśca vividhāḥ kriyante mokṣakāṅkṣibhiḥ ||17-25||

Those seeking liberation perform various acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity, beginning with the word Tat, without any expectation of personal gain or reward, focusing solely on the act itself.

17.26

सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते | प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते ||१७-२६||

sadbhāve sādhubhāve ca sadityetatprayujyate . praśaste karmaṇi tathā sacchabdaḥ pārtha yujyate ||17-26||

The term "sat" refers to what is real and genuinely good, and it's also used to describe a noble or praiseworthy action, as Krishna explains to Arjuna. This word represents something of the highest value, whether it's the ultimate reality or a commendable deed. In essence, "sat" signifies anything that is truly good and worthy of appreciation.

17.27

यज्ञे तपसि दाने च स्थितिः सदिति चोच्यते | कर्म चैव तदर्थीयं सदित्येवाभिधीयते ||१७-२७||

yajñe tapasi dāne ca sthitiḥ saditi cocyate . karma caiva tadarthīyaṃ sadityevābhidhīyate ||17-27||

Steadfast commitment to sacrifice, self-discipline, and charitable giving is considered a genuine and righteous path. Similarly, any action performed with the sole intention of serving a higher purpose is also regarded as true and authentic.

17.28

अश्रद्धया हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत् | असदित्युच्यते पार्थ न च तत्प्रेत्य नो इह ||१७-२८||

aśraddhayā hutaṃ dattaṃ tapastaptaṃ kṛtaṃ ca yat . asadityucyate pārtha na ca tatprepya no iha ||17-28||

Any act of sacrifice, charity, or self-discipline that's done without genuine faith is considered meaningless, Arjuna. It lacks true value, not just in this life, but also in the life to come. Without faith, such actions are essentially empty and unfulfilling.