BHAGVAD GITA CHAPTER-17

BHAGVAD GITA

Chapter 17: The Power of Faith

Arjuna said: What is the state of devotion of those who perform spiritual practices with faith, but without following the scriptural guidance, O Krishna? Is it Sattvika, Rajasika, or Tamasika? (17.01)

Lord Krishna said: The natural faith of embodied beings is of three types: Sattvika, Rajasika, and Tamasika. Hear that from Me. (17.02)

O Arjuna, the faith of each is in accordance with one's own nature or Samskara. A person is known by the faith. One can become whatever one wants to be  (17.03)

The Sattvika persons worship Devas, the Rajasika people worship Devas and demons, and the Tamasika persons worship ghosts and spirits. (17.04)

Those who practice severe disciplines . for show and with and pride, without following the scriptures. are impelled by lust, and attachment. (17.05)

Those who senselessly torture the five elements in their body by severe ascetic practices (Tapa) and also Me who dwell within the body, are ignorant persons of demonic nature. (17.06)

The food preferred by all is also of three types. So are the sacrifice, sense-control, and charity. Now hear the distinction between them. (17.07)

The foods that promote long life, virtue, strength, health, happiness, and joy; are juicy, smooth, satisfying, and agreeable to the stomach. Such foods are dear to the Sattvika persons. (17.08)

Foods that are bitter, sour, salty, very hot, strong smelling, dry, and burning; and cause pain, grief, and disease; are liked by Rajasika persons. (17.09)

The foods liked by Tamasika persons are half-cooked, tasteless, rotten, stale, refuses, and impure . (17.10)

Yajna mentioned in the scriptures, performed with a firm belief that it is a duty, and without a desire for personal gain, is Sattvika Yajna. (17.11)

Yajna which is performed only for show, or aiming for fruit, know that to be Rajasika Yajna, O Arjuna. (17.12)

Yajna that is performed without following the scripture, in which no food is distributed, which is devoid of mantra, faith, and gift, is said to be Tamasika Yajna. (17.13)

The respect for Devas, spiritualists, guru, and the wise; purity, honesty, celibacy, and nonviolence.are said to be the sense-control of deed. (17.14)

Speech that is not offensive, truthful, pleasant, beneficial, and is used for the regular reading of scriptures is called the sense-control of word. (17.15)

The peace of mind, gentleness, silence, sense-restrain, and the purity of thought are called the sense-control of thought. (17.16)

Threefold sense-control or austerity .of thought, word, and deed mentioned above. practiced by yogis with supreme faith, without a desire for the fruit, is said to be Sattvika sense-control. (17.17)

Sense-control that is done for gaining respect, honor, reverence, and for show, is said to be Rajasika, unsteady, and impermanent. (17.18)

Sense-control performed without proper understanding, or with self-torture, or for harming others, is declared as Tamasika sense-control. (17.19)

The charity . given as a matter of duty, to a deserving person or organization who does nothing in return; when and where help is needed . is called a Sattvika charity. (17.20)

Charity that is given unwillingly, or to get something in return, or looking for some fruit, is called Rajasika charity. (17.21)

Charity that is given at a wrong place and time, to unworthy persons, without paying respect or with contempt, is said to be Tamasika charity. (17.22)

‘OM TAT SAT’ is said to be the threefold name of Brahman or God. The Brahmana, the Vedas, and the Yajna were created by Brahman in the ancient time. (17.23)

Therefore, acts of sacrifice, charity, and sense-control prescribed in the scriptures are always started by uttering ‘OM or AUM’ by the knowers of Brahman. (17.24)

Various types of sacrifice, charity, and sense-control are performed by the seekers of nirvana by uttering ‘TAT’  without seeking a reward. (17.25)

SAT is used in the sense of Reality and goodness. The word ‘SAT’ is also used for a good act, O Arjuna. (17.26)

Faith in sacrifice, charity, and sense-control is also called SAT. The action for the sake of the Supreme is verily termed as SAT. (17.27)

Whatever is done without faith.whether it is sacrifice, charity, sense-control, or any other act.

is called Asat or useless. It has no value here or hereafter, O Arjuna. (17.28)