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Chapter-17
Shradhatray Vibhag Yog
1: Arjuna inquired: O Krsna,
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?
2: 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.
3: O son of Bharatas, according to one’s 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.
4: 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.
5-6: 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.
7: Even the food each person prefers is of three
kinds, according to the three modes of the material
nature. The same is true of sacrifices, austerities and
charity. Now hear of the distinctions between them.
8: Foods dear to those in the modes 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.
9: 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.
10: 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.
11: Of sacrifices, the sacrifices performed
according to the directions to the directions of
scripture, as a matter of duty, by those who desire no
reward, is of the nature of goodness.
12: 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.
13: 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.
14: 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.
15: Austerity of speech consists in speaking words
that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not
agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting
Vedic literature.
16: And satisfaction, simplicity, gravity,
self-control and purification of one’s existence are the
austerities of the mind.
17: 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.
18: 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.
19: Penance performed out of foolishness, with
self-torture or to destroy or injure others, is said to
be in the mode of ignorance.
20: 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.
21: 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.
22: 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.
23: From the beginning of creation, the three words
om tat sat were used 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.
24: Therefore, transcendentalists undertaking
performances of sacrifice, charity and penance in
accordance with scriptural regulations begin always with
‘om,’ to attain the Supreme.
25: 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.
26-27: 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.
28: Anything done as sacrifice, charity or penance
without faith in the Supreme, O son of Prtha, is
impermanent. It is called ‘asat’ and is useless both in
this life and the next.
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