Chapter 17
Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
The Yoga of the Threefold Faith
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Verse 17.1
arjuna uvāca
ye śāstra-vidhim utsṛjya yajante śraddhayānvitāḥ |
teṣāṁ niṣṭhā tu kā kṛṣṇa sattvam āho rajastamaḥ ||1||
arjuna uvacha
ye shastra-vidhim utsrijya yajante shraddhayanvitah |
tesham nishtha tu ka krishna sattvam aho rajastamah ||1||
Translation: Arjuna inquired: O Krishna, what is the position of one who does not follow the principles of scripture but worships with faith? Is it in goodness, in passion or in ignorance?
Verse 17.2
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
trividhā bhavati śraddhā dehināṁ sā svabhāvajā |
sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tāṁ śṛṇu ||2||
shri-bhagavan uvacha
trividha bhavati shraddha dehinam sa svabhavaja |
sattviki rajasi chaiva tamasi cheti tam shrinu ||2||
Translation: The Supreme Lord said: According to the modes of nature acquired by the embodied soul, his faith can be of three kinds—in goodness, in passion or in ignorance. Hear about this from Me.
Verse 17.3
sattvānurūpā sarvasya śraddhā bhavati bhārata |
śraddhāmayo ’yaṁ puruṣo yo yacchraddhaḥ sa eva saḥ ||3||
sattvanurupa sarvasya shraddha bhavati bharata |
shraddhamayo ’yam purusho yo yachchhraddhah sa eva sah ||3||
Translation: O son of Bharata, according to one’s existence under the various modes of nature, one evolves a specific kind of faith. The living being is said to be of a particular faith according to the modes he has acquired.
Verse 17.4
yajante sāttvikā devān yakṣa-rakṣāṁsi rājasāḥ |
pretān bhūta-gaṇāṁś cānye yajante tāmasā janāḥ ||4||
yajante sattvika devan yaksha-rakshamsi rajasah |
pretan bhuta-ganamsh chanye yajante tamasa janah ||4||
Translation: Men in the mode of goodness worship the demigods; those in the mode of passion worship the demons; and those in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts and spirits.
Verses 17.5–6
aśāstra-vihitaṁ ghoraṁ tapyante ye tapo janāḥ |
dambhāhaṅkāra-saṁyuktāḥ kāma-rāga-balānvitāḥ ||5||
ashastra-vihitan ghoran tapyante ye tapo janah |
dambhahankara-samyuktah kama-raga-balanvitah ||5||
karṣayantaḥ śarīra-sthaṁ bhūta-grāmam acetasaḥ |
māṁ caivāntaḥ-śarīra-sthaṁ tān viddhy āsura-niścayān ||6||
karshayantah sharira-stham bhuta-gramam achetasah |
man chaivantah-sharira-sthan tan viddhy asura-nishchayan ||6||
Translation: Those who undergo severe austerities and penances not mentioned in the scriptures, performed out of pride and egotism, who are impelled by lust and attachment, who are foolish and who torture the material elements of the body as well as the Supersoul dwelling within, are to be known as demons.
Verse 17.7
āhāras tv api sarvasya trividho bhavati priyaḥ |
yajñas tapas tathā dānaṁ teṣāṁ bhedam imaṁ śṛṇu ||7||
aharas tv api sarvasya trividho bhavati priyah |
yajnas tapas tatha danan tesham bhedam imam shrinu ||7||
Translation: Even of food, each person prefers one of three kinds, according to his nature. The same is true of sacrifices, austerities and charity. Now hear of the distinctions between them.
Verse 17.8
āyuḥ-sattva-balārogya-sukha-prīti-vivardhanāḥ |
rasyāḥ snigdhāḥ sthirā hṛdyā āhārāḥ sāttvika-priyāḥ ||8||
ayuh-sattva-balarogya-sukha-priti-vivardhanah |
rasyah snigdhah sthira hridya aharah sattvika-priyah ||8||
Translation: Foods in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify one’s existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, fattening, wholesome and pleasing to the heart.
Verse 17.9
kaṭvamla-lavaṇātyuṣṇa-tīkṣṇa-rūkṣa-vidāhinaḥ |
āhārā rājasasyeṣṭā duḥkha-śokāmaya-pradāḥ ||9||
katvamla-lavanatyushna-tikshna-ruksha-vidahinah |
ahara rajasasyeshta duhkha-shokamaya-pradah ||9||
Translation: Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry and burning are liked by those in the mode of passion. Such foods cause pain, distress and disease.
Verse 17.10
yātayāmaṁ gata-rasaṁ pūti paryuṣitaṁ ca yat |
ucchiṣṭam api cāmedhyaṁ bhojanaṁ tāmasa-priyam ||10||
yatayaman gata-rasam puti paryushitan cha yat |
uchchhishtam api chamedhyam bhojanan tamasa-priyam ||10||
Translation: Food cooked more than three hours before being eaten, food that is tasteless, decomposed and putrid, and food consisting of remnants and untouchable things is dear to those in the mode of ignorance.
Verse 17.11
aphalākāṅkṣibhir yajño vidhi-dṛṣṭo ya ijyate |
yaṣṭavyam eveti manaḥ samādhāya sa sāttvikaḥ ||11||
aphalakankshibhir yajno vidhi-drishto ya ijyate |
yashtavyam eveti manah samadhaya sa sattvikah ||11||
Translation: Of sacrifices, that performance which is according to the directions of scripture, as a matter of duty, by those who do not desire reward, is of the nature of goodness.
Verse 17.12
abhisandhāya tu phalaṁ dambhārtham api caiva yat |
ijyate bharata-śreṣṭha taṁ yajñaṁ viddhi rājasam ||12||
abhisandhaya tu phalan dambhartham api chaiva yat |
ijyate bharata-shreshtha tam yajnam viddhi rajasam ||12||
Translation: But that sacrifice which is performed for some material benefit, or for the sake of pride, O chief of the Bharatas, you should know to be in the mode of passion.
Verse 17.13
vidhi-hīnam asṛṣṭānnaṁ mantra-hīnam adakṣiṇam |
śraddhā-virahitaṁ yajñaṁ tāmasaṁ paricakṣate ||13||
vidhi-hinam asrishtannam mantra-hinam adakshinam |
shraddha-virahitam yajnan tamasam parichakshate ||13||
Translation: Any sacrifice performed in disregard of scriptural directions, without distribution of prasada [food], without chanting of Vedic hymns and without remunerations to the priests, and without faith, is considered to be in the mode of ignorance.
Verse 17.14
deva-dvija-guru-prājña-pūjanaṁ śaucam ārjavam |
brahmacaryam ahiṁsā ca śārīraṁ tapa ucyate ||14||
deva-dvija-guru-prajna-pujanam shaucham arjavam |
brahmacharyam ahimsa cha shariran tapa uchyate ||14||
Translation: The austerity of the body consists in worship of the Supreme Lord, the brahmins, the spiritual master, and superiors, and in cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and nonviolence.
Verse 17.15
anudvega-karaṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ ca yat |
svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva vāṅmayaṁ tapa ucyate ||15||
anudvega-karam vakyam satyam priya-hitan cha yat |
svadhyayabhyasanan chaiva vanmayan tapa uchyate ||15||
Translation: Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature.
Verse 17.16
manaḥ-prasādaḥ saumyatvaṁ maunam ātma-vinigrahaḥ |
bhāva-saṁśuddhir ity etat tapo mānasam ucyate ||16||
manah-prasadah saumyatvam maunam atma-vinigrahah |
bhava-samshuddhir ity etat tapo manasam uchyate ||16||
Translation: And satisfaction, simplicity, gravity, self-control and purification of one’s existence are the austerities of the mind.
Verse 17.17
śraddhayā parayā taptaṁ tapas tat tri-vidhaṁ naraiḥ |
aphalākāṅkṣibhir yuktaiḥ sāttvikaṁ paricakṣate ||17||
shraddhaya paraya taptan tapas tat tri-vidham naraih |
aphalakankshibhir yuktaih sattvikam parichakshate ||17||
Translation: This threefold austerity, performed with transcendental faith by men not seeking material benefits, but engaged only for the Supreme, is called austerity in goodness.
Verse 17.18
satkāra-māna-pūjārthaṁ tapo dambhena caiva yat |
kriyate tad iha proktaṁ rājasaṁ calam adhruvam ||18||
satkara-mana-pujarthan tapo dambhena chaiva yat |
kriyate tad iha proktam rajasan chalam adhruvam ||18||
Translation: Austerity performed out of pride and for the sake of gaining respect, honor and worship is said to be in the mode of passion. It is neither stable nor permanent.
Verse 17.19
mūḍha-grāheṇātmano yat pīḍayā kriyate tapaḥ |
parasyotsādanārthaṁ vā tat tāmasam udāhṛtam ||19||
mudha-grahenatmano yat pidaya kriyate tapah |
parasyotsadanartham va tat tamasam udahritam ||19||
Translation: Austerity performed out of foolishness, with self-torture or to destroy or injure others, is said to be in the mode of ignorance.
Verse 17.20
dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyate ’nupakāriṇe |
deśe kāle ca pātre ca tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛtam ||20||
datavyam iti yad danan diyate ’nupakarine |
deshe kale cha patre cha tad danam sattvikam smritam ||20||
Translation: Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, and to a worthy person, is considered to be in the mode of goodness.
Verse 17.21
yat tu pratyupakārārthaṁ phalam uddiśya vā punaḥ |
dīyate ca parikliṣṭaṁ tad dānaṁ rājasam smṛtam ||21||
yat tu pratyupakarartham phalam uddishya va punah |
diyate cha pariklishtan tad danam rajasam smritam ||21||
Translation: But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood, is said to be charity in the mode of passion.
Verse 17.22
adeśa-kāle yad dānam apātrebhyaś ca dīyate |
asatkṛtam avajñātaṁ tat tāmasam udāhṛtam ||22||
adesha-kale yad danam apatrebhyash cha diyate |
asatkritam avajnatan tat tamasam udahritam ||22||
Translation: Charity performed at an impure place, at an improper time, to unworthy persons, or without proper attention and respect, is said to be in the mode of ignorance.
Verse 17.23
oṁ tat sad iti nirdeśo brahmaṇas trividhaḥ smṛtaḥ |
brāhmaṇāstena vedāś ca yajñāś ca vihitāḥ purā ||23||
on tat sad iti nirdesho brahmanas trividhah smritah |
brahmanastena vedash cha yajnash cha vihitah pura ||23||
Translation: From the beginning of creation, the three words om tat sat were used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth. These three symbols were used by brahmins while chanting hymns of the Vedas and during sacrifices for the satisfaction of the Supreme.
Verse 17.24
tasmād om ity udāhṛtya yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ |
pravartante vidhānoktāḥ satataṁ brahma-vādinām ||24||
tasmad om ity udahritya yajna-dana-tapah-kriyah |
pravartante vidhanoktah satatam brahma-vadinam ||24||
Translation: Therefore, transcendentalists undertaking performances of sacrifice, charity and austerity, in accordance with scriptural regulations, always begin with om, to indicate the Supreme.
Verse 17.25
tad ity anabhisandhāya phalaṁ yajña-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ |
dāna-kriyāś ca vividhāḥ kriyante mokṣa-kāṅkṣibhiḥ ||25||
tad ity anabhisandhaya phalam yajna-tapah-kriyah |
dana-kriyash cha vividhah kriyante moksha-kankshibhih ||25||
Translation: Without desiring a result, one should perform various sacrifices, austerities and activities of charity with the word tat. The purpose of such transcendental activities is to get liberation from material entanglement.
Verses 17.26–27
sad-bhāve sādhu-bhāve ca sad ity etat prayujyate |
praśaste karmaṇi tathā sac-chabdaḥ pārtha yujyate ||26||
sad-bhave sadhu-bhave cha sad ity etat prayujyate |
prashaste karmani tatha sach-chhabdah partha yujyate ||26||
yajñe tapasi dāne ca sthitiḥ sad iti cocyate |
karma caiva tad-arthīyaṁ sad ity evābhidhīyate ||27||
yajne tapasi dane cha sthitih sad iti chochyate |
karma chaiva tad-arthiyam sad ity evabhidhiyate ||27||
Translation: The absolute truth is the objective of devotional service, and it is indicated by the word sat. These words are also used to describe a worker who acts in devotion, O son of Pritha. And sacrifice, austerity and charity are all established in the absolute truth, as is the work performed for its sake.
Verse 17.28
aśraddhayā hutaṁ dattaṁ tapas taptaṁ kṛtaṁ ca yat |
asad ity ucyate pārtha na ca tat pretya no iha ||28||
ashraddhaya hutan dattan tapas taptan kritan cha yat |
asad ity uchyate partha na cha tat pretya no iha ||28||
Translation: Anything done as sacrifice, charity or austerity without faith in the Supreme, O son of Pritha, is impermanent. It is called asat and is useless both in this life and in the next.