Earlier in chapter fourteen, Shree Krishna had explained the three gunas or modes of material nature and how they govern human behavior. In this chapter, He goes deeper into the subject. In the beginning, He discusses faith as an inseparable aspect of human nature and says that everyone holds faith. However, depending upon the nature of their mind, their faith adapts a corresponding color: sāttvic, rājasic, or tamasic. The quality of life they lead is determined by the nature of their faith, including the food they prefer to eat. He also classifies food into three categories and discusses the impact of each category upon humans.
Shree Krishna then moves to the subject of yajña (sacrifice) and explains that based on the modes of nature, sacrifice can manifest into varied forms. He also discusses tapah (austerity) and describes the austerities of the speech, body, and mind. Again, based on the modes in which these austerities are performed—goodness, passion, or ignorance, they take different forms. Similarly, dān (charity) and its three-fold division based on the modes of nature are explained.
Towards the end of this chapter, Shree Krishna explains the relevance and importance of the words “Om Tat Sat” and how these words can usher the concept of transcendence. The syllable “Om” is the symbolic representation of the impersonal form of God; “tat” is uttered for dedicating ceremonies and actions to the Supreme Lord and the syllable “sat” signifies eternal virtue and goodness. Together these words symbolize different aspects of the Absolute Truth. Shree Krishna concludes this chapter by emphasizing that the acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity performed without faith and regard to the guidelines given in the scriptures are futile.
Bhagavad Gita 17.1 View commentary »
Arjun said: O Krishna, where do they stand who disregard the injunctions of the scriptures, but still worship with faith? Is their faith in the mode of goodness, passion, or ignorance?
Bhagavad Gita 17.2 View commentary »
The Supreme Divine Personality said: Every human being is born with innate faith, which can be of three kinds—sāttvic, rājasic, or tāmasic. Now hear about this from Me.
Bhagavad Gita 17.3 View commentary »
The faith of all humans conforms to the nature of their mind. All people possess faith, and whatever the nature of their faith, that is verily what they are.
Bhagavad Gita 17.4 View commentary »
Those in the mode of goodness worship the celestial gods; those in the mode of passion worship the yakṣhas and rākṣhasas; those in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts and spirits.
Bhagavad Gita 17.5 – 17.6 View commentary »
Some people perform stern austerities that are not enjoined by the scriptures, but rather motivated by hypocrisy and egotism. Impelled by desire and attachment, they torment not only the elements of their body, but also I who dwell within them as the Supreme Soul. Know these senseless people to be of demoniacal resolves.
Bhagavad Gita 17.7 View commentary »
The food that people prefer is according to their dispositions. The same is true for the sacrifice, austerity, and charity they are inclined (or predisposed) toward. Now hear of the distinctions from Me.
Bhagavad Gita 17.8 View commentary »
Persons in the mode of goodness prefer foods that promote life span, and increase virtue, strength, health, happiness, and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, succulent, nourishing, and naturally tasteful.
Bhagavad Gita 17.9 View commentary »
Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, very hot, pungent, dry, and full of chillies, are dear to persons in the mode of passion. Such foods produce pain, grief, and disease.
Bhagavad Gita 17.10 View commentary »
Foods that are overcooked, stale, putrid, polluted, and impure are dear to persons in the mode of ignorance.
Bhagavad Gita 17.11 View commentary »
Sacrifice that is performed according to scriptural injunctions without expectation of rewards, with the firm conviction of the mind that it is a matter of duty, is of the nature of goodness.
Bhagavad Gita 17.12 View commentary »
O best of the Bharatas, know that sacrifice performed for material benefit, or with a hypocritical aim, is in the mode of passion.
Bhagavad Gita 17.13 View commentary »
Sacrifice devoid of faith and contrary to the injunctions of the scriptures, in which no food is offered, no mantras chanted, and no donation made, is to be considered in the mode of ignorance.
Bhagavad Gita 17.14 View commentary »
When worship of the Supreme Lord, the Brahmins, the spiritual master, the wise, and the elders is done with the observance of cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy, and non-violence then this worship is declared as the austerity of the body.
Bhagavad Gita 17.15 View commentary »
Words that do not cause distress, are truthful, inoffensive, and beneficial, as well as regular recitation of the Vedic scriptures—these are declared as austerity of speech.
Bhagavad Gita 17.16 View commentary »
Serenity of thought, gentleness, silence, self-control, and purity of purpose—all these are declared as austerity of the mind.
Bhagavad Gita 17.17 View commentary »
When devout persons with ardent faith practice these three-fold austerities without yearning for material rewards, they are designated as austerities in the mode of goodness.
Bhagavad Gita 17.18 View commentary »
Austerity that is performed with ostentation for the sake of gaining honor, respect, and adoration is in the mode of passion. Its benefits are unstable and transitory.
Bhagavad Gita 17.19 View commentary »
Austerity that is performed by those with confused notions, and which involves torturing the self or harming others, is described to be in the mode of ignorance.
Bhagavad Gita 17.20 View commentary »
Charity given to a worthy person simply because it is right to give, without consideration of anything in return, at the proper time and in the proper place, is stated to be in the mode of goodness.
Bhagavad Gita 17.21 View commentary »
But charity given with reluctance, with the hope of a return or in expectation of a reward, is said to be in the mode of passion.
Bhagavad Gita 17.22 View commentary »
And that charity, which is given at the wrong place and wrong time to unworthy persons, without showing respect, or with contempt, is held to be of the nature of nescience.
Bhagavad Gita 17.23 View commentary »
The words “Om Tat Sat” have been declared as symbolic representations of the Supreme Absolute Truth, from the beginning of creation. From them came the priests, scriptures, and sacrifice.
Bhagavad Gita 17.24 View commentary »
Therefore, when performing acts of sacrifice, offering charity, or undertaking penance, expounders of the Vedas always begin by uttering “Om” according to the prescriptions of Vedic injunctions.
Bhagavad Gita 17.25 View commentary »
Persons who do not desire fruitive rewards, but seek to be free from material entanglements, utter the word “Tat” along with acts of austerity, sacrifice, and charity.
Bhagavad Gita 17.26 – 17.27 View commentary »
The word “Sat” means eternal existence and goodness. O Arjun, it is also used to describe an auspicious action. Being established in the performance of sacrifice, penance, and charity, is also described by the word “Sat.” And so any act for such purposes is named “Sat.”
Bhagavad Gita 17.28 View commentary »
O son of Pritha, whatever acts of sacrifice, charity, or penance are done without faith, are termed as “Asat.” They are useless both in this world and the next.
