॥ Verse 17.1 (The Question on Faith) ॥
अर्जुन उवाच।
ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः।
तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः।।
arjuna uvāca |
ye śāstravidhimutsṛjya yajante śraddhayānvitāḥ |
teṣāṃ niṣṭhā tu kā kṛṣṇa sattvamāho rajastamaḥ || 17.1 ||
Arjuna said: O Kṛṣṇa, what is the status (Niṣṭhā tu kā) of those who, abandoning the ordinances of the scriptures (Ye Śāstra-vidhim Utsṛjya),
yet worship with faith (Yajante Śraddhayānvitāḥ)? Is it Sattva, Rajas, or Tamas?
॥ Verse 17.2 (Threefold Faith) ॥
श्रीभगवानुवाच।
त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा।
सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु।।
śrī-bhagavānuvāca |
trividhā bhavati śraddhā dehināṃ sā svabhāvajā |
sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tāṃ śṛṇu || 17.2 ||
The Supreme Lord said: The faith (Śraddhā) of the embodied (Dehināṁ) is of three kinds (Trividhā Bhavati), born of their nature (Sā Svabhāva-jā):
Sāttvika (of goodness), Rājasī (of passion), and Tāmasī (of ignorance). Hear about them.
॥ Verse 17.3 (Nature of Faith) ॥
सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत।
श्रद्धामयोऽयं पुरुषो यो यच्छ्रद्धः स एव सः।।
sattvānurūpā sarvasya śraddhā bhavati bhārata |
śraddhāmayo’yaṃ puruṣo yo yacchraddhaḥ sa eva saḥ || 17.3 ||
The faith of every man (Sarvasya Śraddhā) conforms to his inner nature (Sattvānurūpā), O Bhārata.
Man is made of his faith (Śraddhāmayo Ayaṁ Puruṣo); as his faith is (Yo Yac Chraddhaḥ), so indeed is he (Sa Eva Saḥ).
॥ Verse 17.4 (Worship based on Guṇas) ॥
यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः।
प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः।।
yajante sāttvikā devānyakṣarakṣāṃsi rājasāḥ |
pretānbhūtagaṇāṃścānye yajante tāmasā janāḥ || 17.4 ||
Sāttvika people worship the gods (Yajante Sāttvikā Devān); Rājasika people worship the Yakṣas and Rākṣasas (Yakṣa-rakṣāṁsi Rājasāḥ).
The Tāmasika people (Tāmasā Janāḥ) worship ghosts and spirits (Pretān Bhūta-gaṇāṁś cānye).
॥ Verses 17.5 - 17.6 (The Arrogant Austerity) ॥
अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः।
दम्भाहङ्कारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः।। (17.5)
कर्षयन्तः शरीरस्थं भूतग्राममचेतसः।
मां चैवान्तःशरीरस्थं तान्विद्ध्यासुरनिश्चयान्।। (17.6)
aśāstravihitaṃ ghoraṃ tapyante ye tapo janāḥ |
dambhāhaṅkārasaṃyuktāḥ kāmarāgabalānvitāḥ || 17.5 ||
karṣayantaḥ śarīrasthaṃ bhūtagrāma-macetasaḥ |
māṃ caivāntaḥśarīrasthaṃ tān viddhyāsuraniścayān || 17.6 ||
Those men (Ye Tapo Janāḥ) who perform horrible austerity (Ghoraṁ Tapyante) not enjoined by the scriptures (Aśāstra-vihitaṁ),
filled with hypocrisy and egoism (Dambhāhaṅkāra-saṁyuktāḥ), and driven by the force of lust and attachment (Kāma-rāga-balānvitāḥ); (17.5)
The unintelligent (Acetasaḥ) who torture the elements (Karṣayantaḥ Bhūta-grāmam) residing in the body (Śarīra-sthaṁ),
and also Me (Māṁ Caiva) residing within the body (Antaḥ-śarīra-sthaṁ)—know them to be of demonic resolve (Tān Viddhy Āsura-niścayān). (17.6)
॥ Verse 17.7 (The Threefold Food) ॥
आहारस्त्वपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रियः।
यज्ञस्तपस्तथा दानं तेषां भेदमिमं शृणु।।
āhārastvapi sarvasya trividho bhavati priyaḥ |
yajñastapastathā dānaṃ teṣāṃ bhedamimaṃ śṛṇu || 17.7 ||
The food (Āhāras) also which is dear to all (Api Sarvasya Priyas) is of three kinds (Trividho Bhavati).
So too are sacrifice (Yajñas), austerity (Tapas Tathā), and charity (Dānaṁ). Hear now the distinction of these (Teṣāṁ Bhedam Imaṁ Śṛṇu).
॥ Verse 17.8 (Sāttvika Food) ॥
आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः।
रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः।।
āyuḥsattvabalārogyasukhaprītivivardhanāḥ |
rasyāḥ snigdhāḥ sthirā hṛdyā āhārāḥ sāttvikapriyāḥ || 17.8 ||
Foods that increase life span, purity, strength, health, happiness, and cheerfulness (Āyuḥ-sattva-balārogya-sukha-prīti-vivardhanāḥ);
Foods that are juicy, oily, substantial, and agreeable (Rasyāḥ Snigdhāḥ Sthirā Hṛdyā Āhārāḥ)—these are dear to the Sāttvika (Sāttvika-priyāḥ).
॥ Verse 17.9 (Rājasika Food) ॥
कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिनः।
आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दुःखशोकामयप्रदाः।।
kaṭvamlalavaṇātyuṣṇatīkṣṇarūkṣavidāhinaḥ |
āhārā rājasasyeṣṭā duḥkhaśokāmayapradāḥ || 17.9 ||
Foods that are bitter, sour, salty, excessively hot, pungent, dry, and burning (Kaṭv-amla-lavaṇāty-uṣṇa-tīkṣṇa-rūkṣa-vidāhinaḥ)—
these foods are desired by the Rājasika (Āhārā Rājasasyeṣṭā); they are productive of pain, grief, and disease (Duḥkha-śokāmaya-pradāḥ).
॥ Verse 17.10 (Tāmasika Food) ॥
यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत्।
उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम्।।
yātayāmaṃ gatarasaṃ pūti paryuṣitaṃ ca yat |
ucchistamapi cāmedhyaṃ bhojanaṃ tāmasapriyam || 17.10 ||
That which is tasteless (Gata-rasaṁ), decomposed (Pūti), putrid (Yāta-yāmaṁ), kept overnight (Paryuṣitaṁ ca yat),
residue of others' meal (Ucchiṣṭam api ca), and impure (Amadhyam)—such food is dear to the Tāmasika (Bhojanaṁ Tāmasa-priyam).
॥ Verse 17.11 (Sāttvika Sacrifice) ॥
अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते।
यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः।।
aphalākāṅkṣibhiryajño vidhidṛṣṭo ya ijyate |
yaṣṭavyameveti manaḥ samādhāya sa sāttvikaḥ || 17.11 ||
That sacrifice (Yajño) which is performed according to scriptural injunctions (Vidhi-dṛṣṭo) by those who expect no reward (Aphalākāṅkṣibhir),
with the mind fixed (Manaḥ Samādhāya) on the thought that 'it must be performed' (Yaṣṭavyam Eveti)—that is Sāttvika (Sa Sāttvikaḥ).
॥ Verse 17.12 (Rājasika Sacrifice) ॥
अभिसन्धाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत्।
इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम्।।
abhisandhāya tu phalaṃ dambhārthamapi caiva yat |
ijyate bharataśreṣṭha taṃ yajñaṃ viddhi rājasam || 17.12 ||
But that sacrifice (Taṁ Yajñaṁ Viddhi) which is performed with a view to reward (Abhisandhāya tu Phalaṁ),
and for the sake of ostentation (Dambhārtham api caiva yat), O best of the Bhāratas (Arjuna)—know that sacrifice to be Rājasika (Rājasam).
॥ Verse 17.13 (Tāmasika Sacrifice) ॥
विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम्।
श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते।।
vidhihīnamasṛṣṭānnaṃ mantrahīnamadakṣiṇam |
śraddhāvirahitaṃ yajñaṃ tāmasaṃ paricakṣate || 17.13 ||
A sacrifice (Yajñaṁ) that is without scriptural injunctions (Vidhi-hīnam), without distribution of food (Asṛṣṭānnaṁ),
without Mantras (Mantra-hīnam), without gifts (Adakṣiṇam), and devoid of faith (Śraddhā-virahitaṁ)—is declared to be Tāmasika (Tāmasaṁ Paricakṣate).
॥ Verse 17.14 (Austerity of the Body) ॥
देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम्।
ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते।।
devadvijaguruprājñapūjanaṃ śaucamārjavam |
brahmacaryamahiṃsā ca śārīraṃ tapa ucyate || 17.14 ||
Worship of the gods, the twice-born (brāhmaṇas), the preceptors, and the wise (Deva-dvija-guru-prājña-pūjanaṁ);
Cleanliness (Śaucam), uprightness (Ārjavam), celibacy (Brahmacaryam), and non-violence (Ahiṁsā ca)—is called the austerity of the body (Śārīraṁ Tapa Ucyate).
॥ Verse 17.15 (Austerity of Speech) ॥
अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत्।
स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते।।
anudvegakaraṃ vākyaṃ satyaṃ priyahitaṃ ca yat |
svādhyāyābhyasanaṃ caiva vāṅmayaṃ tapa ucyate || 17.15 ||
Speech that causes no irritation (Anudvega-karaṁ Vākyaṁ), truthful, pleasant, and beneficial (Satyaṁ Priya-hitaṁ ca Yat),
and the regular recitation of the Vedas (Svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva)—is called the austerity of speech (Vāṅmayaṁ Tapa Ucyate).
॥ Verse 17.16 (Austerity of the Mind) ॥
मनःप्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः।
भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते।।
manaḥprasādaḥ saumyatvaṃ maunamātmavinigrahaḥ |
bhāvasaṃśuddhirityetat tapo mānasamucyate || 17.16 ||
Serenity of mind (Manaḥ-prasādaḥ), kindness (Saumyatvaṁ), silence (Maunam), control of the self (Ātma-vinigrahaḥ),
and purity of thoughts (Bhāva-saṁśuddhir)—this is called the austerity of the mind (Tapo Mānasam Ucyate).
॥ Verse 17.17 (Sāttvika Austerity) ॥
श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः।
अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते।।
śraddhayā parayā taptaṃ tapastattrividhaṃ naraiḥ |
aphalākāṅkṣibhiryuktaiḥ sāttvikaṃ paricakṣate || 17.17 ||
This threefold austerity (Tapas Tat Trividhaṁ) performed by men (Naraiḥ) with supreme faith (Śraddhayā Parayā Taptam),
without expectation of results (Aphalākāṅkṣibhir) and with self-control (Yuktaiḥ)—is declared to be Sāttvika (Sāttvikaṁ Paricakṣate).
॥ Verse 17.18 (Rājasika Austerity) ॥
सत्कारमानपूजार्थं तपो दम्भेन चैव यत्।
क्रियते तदिह प्रोक्तं राजसं चलमध्रुवम्।।
satkāramānapūjārthaṃ tapo dambhena caiva yat |
kriyate tadiha proktaṃ rājasaṃ calamadhruvam || 17.18 ||
That austerity (Tapo) which is performed for the sake of obtaining respect, honor, and adoration (Satkāra-māna-pūjārthaṁ),
and with hypocrisy (Dambhena caiva Yat), is here declared to be Rājasika (Rājasaṁ), unstable and transitory (Calam Adhruvam).
॥ Verse 17.19 (Tāmasika Austerity) ॥
मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः।
परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्।।
mūḍhagrāheṇātmano yat pīḍayā kriyate tapaḥ |
parasyotsādanārthaṃ vā tattāmasamudāhṛtam || 17.19 ||
That austerity (Tapas) which is performed with foolish obstinacy (Mūḍha-grāheṇā), with self-torture (Ātmano Yat Pīḍayā Kriyate),
or for the purpose of destroying others (Parasyotsādanārthaṁ Vā)—that is declared to be Tāmasika (Tat Tāmasam Udāhṛtam).
॥ Verse 17.20 (Sāttvika Charity) ॥
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे।
देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम्।।
dātavyamiti yaddānaṃ dīyate’nupakāriṇe |
deśe kāle ca pātre ca taddānaṃ sāttvikaṃ smṛtam || 17.20 ||
That charity (Tad Dānaṁ) which is given (Dīyate) as a matter of duty (Dātavyam Iti), to one from whom no return is expected (Anupakāriṇe),
in the proper place (Deśe), at the proper time (Kāle Ca), and to a worthy person (Pātre Ca)—is considered Sāttvika (Sāttvikaṁ Smṛtam).
॥ Verse 17.21 (Rājasika Charity) ॥
यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः।
दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम्।।
yattu pratyupakārārthaṃ phalamuddhiśya vā punaḥ |
dīyate ca parikliṣṭaṃ taddānaṃ rājasaṃ smṛtam || 17.21 ||
But that charity (Tad Dānaṁ) which is given (Dīyate ca) with the expectation of return (Yat tu Pratyupakārārthaṁ) or with a view to future reward (Phalam Uddiśya Vā Punaḥ),
or reluctantly (Parikliṣṭaṁ)—that is considered Rājasika (Rājasaṁ Smṛtam).
॥ Verse 17.22 (Tāmasika Charity) ॥
अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते।
असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्।।
adeśakāle yaddānamapātrebhyaśca dīyate |
asatkṛtamajñātaṃ tattāmasamudāhṛtam || 17.22 ||
That charity (Tad Dānaṁ) which is given at an improper place or time (Adeśa-kāle Yad Dānam), to unworthy persons (Apātrebhyaś ca Dīyate),
without respect (Asatkṛtam) or with contempt (Avajñātaṁ)—that is declared to be Tāmasika (Tat Tāmasam Udāhṛtam).
॥ Verse 17.23 (The Threefold Name of Brahman) ॥
ओ तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः।
ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा।।
om tatsaditi nirdeśo brahmaṇas trividhaḥ smṛtaḥ |
brāhmaṇāstena vedāśca yajñāśca vihitāḥ purā || 17.23 ||
'Om, Tat, Sat'—this is considered the threefold designation (Trividhaḥ Smṛtaḥ) of Brahman (Brahmaṇo Nideśo).
By that (Tena), Brāhmaṇas, the Vedas, and sacrifices (Yajñāś ca) were ordained in ancient times (Vihitāḥ Purā).
॥ Verse 17.24 (The use of 'Om') ॥
तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः।
प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम्।।
tasmādomityudāhṛtya yajñadānatapaḥkriyāḥ |
pravartante vidhānoktāḥ satataṃ brahmavādinām || 17.24 ||
Therefore, having uttered 'Om' (Tasmād Om Ity Udāhṛtya), the acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity (Yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ)
enjoined by the scriptures (Vidhānoktāḥ) for the knowers of Brahman (Brahma-vādinām) are always commenced (Pravartante Satataṁ).
॥ Verse 17.25 (The use of 'Tat') ॥
तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः।
दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः।।
tadityanabhisandhāya phalaṃ yajñatapaḥkriyāḥ |
dānakriyāśca vividhāḥ kriyante mokṣakāṅkṣibhiḥ || 17.25 ||
Uttering 'Tat' (Tad Iti), without aiming at the fruits of actions (Anabhisandhāya Phalaṁ), the various acts of sacrifice, austerity (Yajña-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ),
and acts of charity (Dāna-kriyāś ca Vividhāḥ) are performed by those desiring liberation (Kriyante Mokṣa-kāṅkṣibhiḥ).
॥ Verses 17.26 - 17.27 (The use of 'Sat') ॥
सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते।
प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते।। (17.26)
यज्ञे तपसि दाने च स्थितिः सदिति चोच्यते।
कर्म चैव तदर्थीयं सदित्येवाभिधीयते।। (17.27)
sadbhāve sādhubhāve ca sadityetatprayujyate |
praśaste karmaṇi tathā sacchabdaḥ pārtha yujyate || 17.26 ||
yajñe tapasi dāne ca sthitiḥ saditi cocyate |
karma caiva tadarthīyaṃ sadityevābhidhīyate || 17.27 ||
The word 'Sat' (Sad Iti Etat) is used in the sense of existence (Sad-bhāve) and goodness (Sādhu-bhāve ca).
Likewise, O son of Pṛthā, the word 'Sat' (Sac chabdaḥ) is employed for an auspicious action (Praśaste Karmaṇi Tathā). (17.26)
Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and charity (Yajñe Tapasi Dāne ca Sthitiḥ) is also called 'Sat' (Sad Iti Coccyate).
And action dedicated to the Supreme (Karma caiva Tad-arthīyaṁ) is verily designated as 'Sat' (Sad Ity Evābhidhīyate). (17.27)
॥ Verse 17.28 (Faithless Actions) ॥
अश्रद्धया हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत्।
असदित्युच्यते पार्थ न च तत्प्रेत्य नो इह।।
aśraddhayā hutaṃ dattaṃ tapastaptaṃ kṛtaṃ ca yat |
asadityucyate pārtha na ca tatpretya no iha || 17.28 ||
Whatever is offered in sacrifice, given in charity, or performed as austerity (Hutaṁ Dattaṁ Tapas Taptaṁ Kṛtaṁ ca Yat),
and whatever action is done without faith (Aśraddhayā), O son of Pṛthā, is called 'Asat' (Asad Ity Ucyate);
it is of no value after death (Na ca Tat Pretya) nor in this world (No Iha).
॥ इति श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे श्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादे श्रद्धात्रयविभागयोगो नाम सप्तदशोऽध्यायः ॥
Thus, in the Upaniṣads of the glorious Bhagavad-Gītā, the science of the Eternal, the scripture of Yoga,
the dialogue between Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, ends the seventeenth chapter, entitled Śraddhātraya Vibhāga Yoga.