Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 - The Yoga of the Threefold Division of Faith

The Yoga of the Threefold Division of Faith is the heading of Chapter 17 in the Bhagavad Gita.




In the Bhagavad Gita - Text and Commentary by Sri Sivananda (Sivananda Press Durban SA) the discourse (summary) is as follows:

This discourse is termed the "Yoga of the Division of the Three Kinds of Faith". The theme of of this discourse arises out of the questions asked by Arjuna in Verse I with reference to the final closing advice of Lord Krishna in the previous discourse, contained in the last two verses therin (Verses 23 and 24). Arjuna asks, "What abut those who, even though setting aside scriptural injunctions yet perform worship with faith?"

The Lord replies and states that the faith of such men who ignore the injunctions of the scriptures could be either Sattwic, Rajasic or Tamasic. This would be in accordance with the basic nature of the person himself. And, conversely, as is the kind of faith , so develops the nature of the man.

Thus, in all things like sacrifice, worship, charity, penance, etc., these qualities become expressed in accordance with the kind of faith in which the person concerned is based. They produce results in accordance with the quality of the doer's faith. These acts done with right faith lead to supreme blessedness. When done without any faith whatsoever, all these actions become barren and useless.

17.1 - arjuna uvacaye shastra-vidhim utsrjyayajante shraddhayanvitahtesham nistha tu ka krishnasattvam aho rajas tamah - "Arjuna inquired: O Krishna, what is the situation of those who do not follow the principles of scripture but worship according to their own imagination? Are they in goodness, in passion or in ignorance?"

17.2 - sri-bhagavan uvacatri-vidha bhavati shraddhadehinam sa svabhava-jasattviki rajasi caivatamasi ceti tam shrinu - "The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: According to the modes of nature acquired by the embodied soul, one’s faith can be of three kinds—in goodness, in passion or in ignorance. Now hear about this."

17.3 - sattvanurupa sarvasyashraddha bhavati bharatashraddha-mayo ’yam purushoyo yac-chraddhah sa eva sah - "O son of Bharata, according to one’s existence under the various modes of nature, one evolves a particular kind of faith. The living being is said to be of a particular faith according to the modes he has acquired."

17.4 - yajante sattvika devanyaksha-rakshamsi rajasahpretan bhuta-ganams canyeyajante tamasa janah - "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."

17.5 - 6 - ashastra-vihitam ghoramtapyante ye tapo janahdambhahankara-samyuktahkama-raga-balanvitah

karsayantah sarira-sthambhuta-gramam acetasahmam caivantah sarira-sthamtan viddhy asura-niscayan

"Those who undergo severe austerities and penances not recommended in the scriptures, performing them out of pride and egoism, 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."

17.7 - aharas tv api sarvasyatri-vidho bhavati priyahyajnas tapas tatha danamtesham bhedam imam shrinu - "Even the food each person prefers is of three kinds, according to the three modes of material nature. The same is true of sacrifices, austerities and charity. Now hear of the distinctions between them."

17.8 - ayuh-sattva-balarogya-sukha-priti-vivardhanahrasyah snigdhah sthira hrdyaaharah sattvika-priyah - "Foods dear to those 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, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart."

17.9 - katv-amla-lavanaty-usna-tiksna-ruksa-vidahinahahara rajasasyestaduhkha-sokamaya-pradah - "Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry and burning are dear to those in the mode of passion. Such foods cause distress, misery and disease."

17.10 - yata-yamam gata-rasamputi paryusitam ca yatucchistam api camedhyambhojanam tamasa-priyam - "Food prepared 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 darkness."

Click here for remaining verses of chapter 17