BG 17.1 - 28
Verse 2
सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां श्रृणु
Krishna replied: Let me tell you of the types of faith in all embodied beings, born of their nature - pure faith, passionate faith, and ignorant faith.
Verse 3
श्रद्धामयोऽयं पुरुषो यो यच्छ्रद्धः स एव सः
Every person's faith is in accordance with their inner nature. All people possess faith, and whatever their faith may be, that is what they become.
Verse 4
प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः
The pure worship the gods, the passionate worship the powers of wealth and magic, while the ignorant worship ancestors and ghosts.
Verse 5
दम्भाहङ्कारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः
There are those who practice austerities not prescribed by the scriptures, enslaved to hypocrisy and their own ego, carried away by desire and passion.
Verse 6
मां चैवान्तःशरीरस्थं तान्विद्ध्यासुरनिश्चयान्
These ignorant people who torment the organs in their bodies, as well as the part of me which resides in them, are of a demonic conviction.
Verse 7
यज्ञस्तपस्तथा दानं तेषां भेदमिमं श्रृणु
Learn to distinguish between the types kinds of food, just as the threefold types of sacrifice, austerity, and charity.
Verse 8
रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः
Food that promotes longevity, alertness, strength, health, pleasure, and happiness, and those that are sweet, savory, substantial, and agreeable, are dear to pure people.
Verse 9
आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दुःखशोकामयप्रदाः
Food that is bitter, sour, salty, excessively spicy, pungent, dry, and bitter, is favored by those of a passionate nature. Such nourishment causes pain, sorrow, and disease.
Verse 10
उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम्
Food which is stale, tasteless, putrid, unclean, or left over by others, is favored by those of an ignorant nature.
Verse 11
यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः
A pure sacrifice is one which is made with firm conviction, without desire for reward, in accordance with the commands of the scriptures.
Verse 12
इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम्
Sacrifice which is performed for the sake of its results, or for self-glorification, is the product of passion.
Verse 13
श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते
Sacrifice which goes contrary to the scriptures, unaccompanied by prayer, offerings, and faith, is one of ignorance.
Verse 14
ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते
Worship of the gods, twice-borns, elders, and the wise, purity, honesty, straightforwardness, and nonviolence, are all austerities of the body.
Verse 15
स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते
Austerity of speech is only speaking that which causes no pain, carries the truth, is pleasant and beneficial to hear - like recitation of the scriptures.
Verse 16
भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते
Serenity of mind, benevolence, silence, self-control, and mental purity, are all austerities of the mind.
Verse 17
अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते
These three austerities, performed with faith and without concern toward reward, are the austerities of purity.
Verse 18
क्रियते तदिह प्रोक्तं राजसं चलमध्रुवम्
An austerity born of passion is practiced for the sake of respect, honor, reverence, and praise.
Verse 19
परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्
Austerities born of ignorance are practiced with deluded notions or the infliction of pain.
Verse 20
देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम्
A pure gift is one that is given with no expectation of anything in return, at the proper time and place to a deserving person.
Verse 21
दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम्
The gift which is given for the sake of the results it will produce, or given grudgingly, is a product of passion.
Verse 22
असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्
That gift which is given at the wrong place and the wrong time, to an unworthy recipient, without due respect or with contempt, is a gift born of ignorance.
Verse 23
ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा
"Om Tat Sat" is the threefold designation of Brahman, by which the scriptures, ceremonies, and sacrifices have been ordained.
Verse 24
प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम्
The scriptures prescribed that all acts of sacrifice, gifts, and austerities commence with the utterance of "Om".
Verse 25
दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षि
Acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity, performed without thought of reward, are performed after uttering "Tat".
Verse 26
प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते
The word "Sat" refers to the existence of that which is good. As such, it is used to refer to an auspicious action.
Verse 27
कर्म चैव तदर्थीयं सदित्येवाभिधीयते
Devotion to sacrifice, austerity, and charity is also referred to as "Sat", as is any action for such purposes.
Verse 28
असदित्युच्यते पार्थ न च तत्प्रेत्य नो इह
Acts of sacrifice, charity, or penance, when performed without faith, are called "Asat". Such acts have no significance in this world and the next.
Next chapter
18. Renunciation and Surrender
Mokṣha Sanyās Yog