Chapter 17 — The Yoga of the Threefold Division of Faith

The Three Modes of Faith — Goodness, Passion, and Ignorance

17.1

Arjuna said: O Krishna, where do those people stand,

Who disregard the scriptures and their sacred command?

Yet with faith they continue their worship and adoration;

Is their faith goodness, passion, or ignorance in manifestation?

17.2

The Supreme Lord said: Every person is endowed with faith by nature,

According to one’s disposition develops its particular character.

Sāttvic, rājasic, or tāmasic — faith can be of three kinds;

Now hear from Me their nature with an attentive mind.

17.3

The faith of every person conforms to their inner disposition and mind;

Indeed, every person possesses faith of one particular kind.

Whatever the nature of a person’s faith may be,

That indeed reflects what they truly come to be.

17.4

Those in goodness worship the devas, the celestial divine;

Those in passion worship yakṣas and rākṣasas by their inclination.

Those in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts and spirits instead;

Thus worship follows the nature by which each person is led.

17.5–17.6

Some people perform severe austerities not enjoined by sacred lore,

Driven by hypocrisy and ego, desire and attachment at their core.

They torment the elements of the body through practices uncontrolled,

And torment Me as well, dwelling within as the indwelling Soul.

Know such people to be misguided, lacking discernment and light;

Their resolve is demoniacal, born of ignorance rather than insight.

17.7

The food that people prefer reflects their natural disposition;

The same holds true for sacrifice, austerity, and acts of contribution.

As people are inclined, so their preferences naturally appear;

Now hear from Me their three distinctions, O Arjuna dear.

17.8

Those in goodness prefer foods that increase vitality and life,

And promote virtue, strength, health, happiness, and delight.

Such foods are juicy, wholesome, nourishing, pleasing, and tasteful;

They bring lasting satisfaction and are naturally healthful.

17.9

Foods excessively bitter, sour, salty, hot, pungent, and dry,

And those that cause burning are cherished by those in passion thereby.

Such foods may offer momentary satisfaction and gratification,

But ultimately bring pain, grief, and bodily affliction.

17.10

Foods that are stale, tasteless, putrid, impure, and lacking freshness,

Are dear to those in the mode of ignorance and darkness.

17.11

Sacrifice performed according to scriptural injunction,

Without desire for reward or expectation of compensation,

With firm conviction that performing it is one’s duty,

Is sacrifice in the mode of goodness, performed with purity.

17.12

O best of the Bharatas, sacrifice performed seeking material gain,

Or motivated by pride and display, with recognition as its aim,

Know such sacrifice to be in the mode of passion,

Performed for reward, prestige, or worldly satisfaction.

17.13

Sacrifice contrary to scripture, where no food is distributed,

No sacred mantras are chanted and no offering is contributed,

Where no proper gift is given and genuine faith is denied—

Such sacrifice is in the mode of ignorance, the Lord has clarified.

17.14

Worship of the devas, the twice-born, teachers, and the wise,

Together with purity and simplicity that one sincerely applies,

Celibacy and non-violence, faithfully maintained and pursued—

These are declared the austerities of the body, in spiritual attitude.

17.15

Words that cause no agitation, and are truthful, pleasing, and kind,

Beneficial to others and spoken with a peaceful mind,

Together with regular study and recitation of sacred teaching—

O Arjuna, these are declared the true austerities of speech.

17.16

Serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, and self-control,

Purity of purpose that ennobles the heart and soul;

When thoughts and intentions remain disciplined and refined,

All these are declared to be austerities of the mind.

17.17

When devout persons, endowed with steadfast faith, undertake

These threefold austerities with no reward at stake,

Without yearning for material benefit or selfish gain,

Such austerities in the mode of goodness remain.

17.18

Austerity performed with pomp and ostentation,

For gaining honor, respect, and public adoration,

Is declared to be austerity in the mode of passion;

Its rewards are unstable and fleeting in duration.

17.19

Austerity performed with foolish determination,

That tortures oneself through misguided mortification,

Or is undertaken with the aim of causing others pain,

Is austerity in ignorance, where darkness and delusion reign.

17.20

Charity given to a worthy person because it is right to give,

Selflessly, without wondering what in return one may receive,

Offered at the proper time and in the proper place,

Is charity in goodness, given with purity and grace.

17.21

But charity given reluctantly or with expectation of gain,

Hoping for some benefit or reward to obtain,

When something in return remains the giver’s expectation,

Such charity belongs to the mode of passion.

17.22

Charity given at an improper time or place,

To unworthy persons, without respect or grace,

Or offered with contempt, without honor or reverence,

Is declared to be charity in the mode of ignorance.

17.23

The sacred words “Om Tat Sat” have long been declared

Threefold designations of the Absolute Truth, forever revered.

From the beginning, the brāhmaṇas, the Vedas, and sacrifice

Were ordained in accordance with these names of the Divine.

17.24

Therefore, before acts of sacrifice, charity, and penance commence,

Those who follow Vedic teachings utter “Om” with reverence.

According to the scriptural injunctions and sacred tradition,

They begin their spiritual acts with this holy invocation.

17.25

Those who seek no fruitive rewards or material gains,

But aspire for liberation from worldly bonds and chains,

Perform sacrifice, austerity, and charity without reward at stake,

Uttering the sacred word “Tat” for the Supreme Truth’s sake.

17.26–17.27

“Sat” signifies eternal existence, goodness, and truth, shining bright;

O Arjuna, it also denotes whatever is auspicious and right.

Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and charity

Is likewise called “Sat,” reflecting sacred sincerity.

And whatever action is performed for such a sacred intent

Is also called “Sat,” when for the Supreme it is meant.

17.28

O son of Pritha, whatever sacrifice, charity, or penance is done without faith,

And whatever action is performed without faith, is called “Asat.”

Such actions bear no lasting spiritual fruit, whatever their apparent worth;

They are fruitless both here and hereafter — in this world and beyond this earth.