Chapter Summary
Arjuna asks about those who worship with faith but do not follow the scriptures. Lord Krishna explains that faith can be of three kinds—sattvic (in goodness), rajasic (in passion), and tamasic (in ignorance)—according to one's nature. He elaborates on how these three types of faith manifest in food, sacrifices, austerity, and charity. He concludes by explaining the significance of the words "Om Tat Sat."
Verses
Verse 17.2
श्रीभगवानुवाच |
त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा |
सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु ||
śrī-bhagavān uvāca |
tri-vidhā bhavati śraddhā dehināṁ sā svabhāva-jā |
sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tāṁ śṛṇu ||
Translation: The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: According to the modes of nature acquired by the embodied soul, one's faith can be of three kinds—in goodness, in passion or in ignorance. Now hear about this.
Verse 17.8
आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः |
रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः ||
āyuḥ-sattva-balārogya-sukha-prīti-vivardhanāḥ |
rasyāḥ snigdhāḥ sthirā hṛdyā āhārāḥ sāttvika-priyāḥ ||
Translation: Foods dear to those in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify one’s existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart.
Verse 17.28
अश्रद्धया हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत् |
असदित्युच्यते पार्थ न च तत्प्रेत्य नो इह ||
aśraddhayā hutaṁ dattaṁ tapas taptaṁ kṛtaṁ ca yat |
asad ity ucyate pārtha na ca tat pretya no iha ||
Translation: 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.