BHAGAVAD GITA

Conversation 17. The Yoga of the Three Forms of Faith

Table of Contents

Chapter 16 - Chapter 18


  • Arjuna said:
    What is the state of devotion
    Of those who perform spiritual practices with faith
    But without following
    The scriptural injunctions, O Krishna?
    Is it Saattvika, Raajasika, or Taamasika?

  • Krishna said:
    The natural faith of embodied beings is of three types:
    Saattvika, Raajasika, and Taamasika. Hear that from Me.

  • O Arjuna, the faith of each is
    In accordance with one's own nature or Sanskaara.
    A person is known by the faith.
    One can become whatever one wants to be.

  • The Saattvika persons worship Devas,
    The Raajasika people worship demigods and demons,
    And the Taamasika persons worship ghosts and spirits.

  • Those who practice severe austerities
    Without following the scriptures,
    With hypocrisy and egotism, impelled by lust, and attachment;

  • Senselessly torturing the elements in their body
    And also Me who dwell within the body;
    Know these ignorant persons to be of demonic nature.

  • The food preferred by all
    Is also of three types.
    So are the sacrifice, austerity, and charity.
    Now hear the distinction between them.

  • The foods that promote longevity, virtue,
    Strength, health, happiness, and joy;
    Are juicy, smooth, substantial, Such foods are dear to the Saattvika persons.

  • Foods that are bitter, sour, salty,
    Very hot, pungent, dry, and burning;
    And cause pain, grief, and disease;
    Are liked by Raajasika persons.

  • The foods liked by Taamasika persons
    Are half-cooked, tasteless, rotten,
    Stale, refuses, and impure

  • Yajna enjoined by the scriptures,
    Performed with a firm belief that it is a duty,
    And without the desire for the fruit, is Saattvika Yajna.

  • Yajna which is performed only for show,
    Or aiming for fruit, know that to be Raajasika Yajna, O Arjuna.

  • 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 Taamasika Yajna.

  • The worship of Devas, Braahmana,
    Guru, and the wise; purity, honesty, celibacy,
    And nonviolence; these are said to be
    The austerity of deed.

  • Speech that is not offensive, truthful,
    Pleasant, beneficial, and is used
    For the regular reading of scriptures
    Is called the austerity of word.

  • The serenity of mind, gentleness, silence,
    Self-restraint, and the purity of mind
    Are called the austerity of thought.

  • Threefold austerity practiced by yogis
    With supreme faith, without a desire for the fruit,
    Is said to be Saattvika austerity.

  • Austerity that is done for gaining respect,
    Honor, reverence, and for show,
    Is said to be Raajasika, unsteady, and impermanent.

  • Austerity performed without proper understanding,
    Or with self-torture, or for harming others,
    Is declared as Taamasika austerity.

  • Charity that is given as a matter of duty,
    To a deserving candidate who does nothing in return,
    At the right place and time,
    Is called a Saattvika charity.

  • Charity that is given unwillingly,
    Or to get something in return,
    Or looking for some fruit,
    Is called Raajasika charity.

  • Charity that is given at a wrong place and time,
    To unworthy persons, without paying respect
    Or with contempt, is said to be Taamasika charity.

  • "OM TAT SAT" is said to be
    The threefold name of Brahman.
    The Braahmana, the Vedas, and the Yajna
    Were created from this in the ancient time.

  • Therefore, acts of sacrifice, charity,
    And austerity prescribed in the scriptures
    Are always commenced by uttering "OM"
    By the knowers of Brahman.

  • Various types of sacrifice, charity, and austerity
    Are performed by the seekers of nirvana
    By uttering "TAT" without seeking a reward.

  • SAT is used in the sense of reality and goodness.
    The word "SAT" is also used
    For an auspicious act, O Arjuna.

  • Faith in sacrifice, charity, and austerity
    Is also called SAT.
    The action for the sake of the Supreme
    Is verily termed as SAT.

  • Whatever is done without faith;
    Whether it is sacrifice, charity, austerity,
    Or any other act; is called Asat.
    It has no value here or hereafter, O Arjuna.
    This is the end of Chapter XVII of the Bhagavad Gita
    Entitled "Sraddha-Traya-Vibhaga-Yoga,"
    Or "The Yoga of the Three Forms of Faith"