Bhagavad Gita 17.1Arjuna uvaca Ye shastra-vidhim utsrjya yajante shraddhayanvitah “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?” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.2
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Bhagavad Gita 17.3Sattvanurupa sarvasya shraddha bhavati bharata “O son of Bharata, according to ones 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.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.4Yajante sattvika devan yaksha-rakshamsi rajasah “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.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.5, 17.6Ashastra-vihitam ghoram tapyante ye tapo janah Karsayantah sarira-stham bhuta-gramam acetasah “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.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.7Aharas tv api sarvasya tri-vidho bhavati priyah “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.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.8Ayuh-sattva-balarogya- sukha-priti-vivardhanah “Foods dear to those in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify ones existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.9Katv-amla-lavanaty-usna- tiksna-ruksa-vidahinah “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.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.10Yata-yamam gata-rasam puti paryusitam ca yat “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.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.11Aphalakanksibhir yajno vidhi-disto ya ijyate “Of sacrifices, the sacrifice performed according to the directions of scripture, as a matter of duty, by those who desire no reward, is of the nature of goodness.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.12Abhisandhaya tu phalam dambhartham api caiva yat “But the sacrifice performed for some material benefit, or for the sake of pride, O chief of the Bharatas, you should know to be in the mode of passion.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.13Vidhi-hinam asrstannam mantra-hinam adaksinam “Any sacrifice performed without regard for the directions of scripture, without distribution of prasadam [spiritual food], without chanting of Vedic hymns and remunerations to the priests, and without faith is considered to be in the mode of ignorance.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.14Deva-dvija-guru-prajna- pujanam shaucam arjavam “Austerity of the body consists in worship of the Supreme Lord, the brahmanas, the spiritual master, and superiors like the father and mother, and in cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and nonviolence.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.15Anudvega-karam vakyam satyam priya-hitam ca yat “Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.16Manah-prasadah saumyatvam maunam atma-vinigrahah “And satisfaction, simplicity, gravity, self-control and purification of ones existence are the austerities of the mind.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.17Shraddhaya paraya taptam tapas tat tri-vidham naraih “This threefold austerity, performed with transcendental faith by men not expecting material benefits but engaged only for the sake of the Supreme, is called austerity in goodness.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.18Satkara-mana-pujartham tapo dambhena caiva yat “Penance performed out of pride and for the sake of gaining respect, honor and worship is said to be in the mode of passion. It is neither stable nor permanent.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.19Mudha-grahenatmano yat pidaya kriyate tapah “Penance performed out of foolishness, with self-torture or to destroy or injure others, is said to be in the mode of ignorance.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.20Datavyam iti yad danam diyate nupakarine “Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, and to a worthy person is considered to be in the mode of goodness.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.21Yat tu pratyupakarartham phalam uddisya va punah “But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood, is said to be charity in the mode of passion.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.22Adesa-kale yad danam apatrebhyas ca diyate “And charity performed at an impure place, at an improper time, to unworthy persons, or without proper attention and respect is said to be in the mode of ignorance.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.23Om tat sad iti nirdeso brahmanas tri-vidhah smrtah “From the beginning of creation, the three words om tat sat were used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth. These three symbolic representations were used by brahmanas while chanting the hymns of the Vedas and during sacrifices for the satisfaction of the Supreme.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.24Tasmad om ity udahrtya yajna-dana-tapah-kriyah “Therefore, transcendentalists undertaking performances of sacrifice, charity and penance in accordance with scriptural regulations begin always with om, to attain the Supreme.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.25Tad ity anabhisandhaya phalam yajna-tapah-kriyah “Without desiring fruitive results, one should perform various kinds of sacrifice, penance and charity with the word tat. The purpose of such transcendental activities is to get free from material entanglement.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.26, 17.27Sad-bhave sadhu-bhave ca sad ity etat prayujyate Yajne tapasi dane ca sthitih sad iti cocyate “The Absolute Truth is the objective of devotional sacrifice, and it is indicated by the word sat. The performer of such sacrifice is also called sat, as are all works of sacrifice, penance and charity which, true to the absolute nature, are performed to please the Supreme Person, O son of Prtha.” |
Bhagavad Gita 17.28Ashraddhaya hutam dattam tapas taptam kritam ca yat “Anything done as sacrifice, charity or penance without faith in the Supreme, O son of Pritha, is impermanent. It is called asat and is useless both in this life and the next.” |
