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Bhagwad Gita (English) | Chapter 17 | Verse 16

Chapter 17, Verse 16

The Divisions of Faith

And serenity, simplicity, gravity, self-control and purity of thought are the austerities of the mind.

Verse

मनःप्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः।भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते।।17.16।।


manaḥ-prasādaḥ saumyatvaṁ maunam ātma-vinigrahaḥ
bhāva-sanśhuddhir ity etat tapo mānasam uchyate

Meaning of each word

manaḥ-prasādaḥ — serenity of thought;
saumyatvam — gentleness;
maunam — silence;
ātma-vinigrahaḥ — self-control;
bhāva-sanśhuddhiḥ — purity of purpose;
iti — thus;
etat — these;
tapaḥ — austerity;
mānasam — of the mind;
uchyate — are declared as

Interpretation

This verse speaks about how we can train and discipline our minds in a way that leads to a better, more fulfilling life. When we talk about making the mind austere, we mean helping it to let go of constant desires for things that please our senses, like food, entertainment, or material possessions. Instead, we want to focus on doing good things for ourselves and others.

First, let’s break down what each quality means:

1. **Serenity of Thought**: This means being calm and peaceful in your mind. When you’re able to remain steady and not get easily upset or excited, you develop a clearer way of thinking. For example, when faced with stress—like a busy workday—keeping your thoughts calm helps you to handle everything better.

2. **Simplicity**: Living simply means not complicating your life with unnecessary material desires. It’s about appreciating what you have without wanting more and more all the time, such as being content with a simple meal or a cozy home instead of always craving luxury.

3. **Gravity**: This refers to being serious and responsible in your actions and thoughts. It means taking life seriously and not treating everything as a joke, which can help you focus on what really matters, like your relationships, work, and personal growth.

4. **Self-Control**: This is all about being able to control your urges and desires. For instance, if you crave junk food, self-control helps you make healthier choices instead. It’s about knowing when to say ‘no’ to yourself.

5. **Purity of Thought**: This means having good intentions and keeping your mind away from negative thoughts like jealousy, anger, or greed. It’s about focusing on healthy, uplifting ideas that contribute to your well-being and the well-being of others.

To truly discipline our minds, it’s essential to detach from thoughts that only serve our immediate pleasures. Instead, we divert our focus to higher purposes that bring true happiness and fulfillment, such as kindness, love, and unity among people. By practicing these qualities, we cultivate a sense of satisfaction that comes from within rather than relying on toys or things that only provide temporary joy.

Now, keeping our minds busy with higher thoughts is vital. Instead of engaging in trivial or harmful distractions, we can immerse ourselves in enriching literature or inspiring stories. This could mean reading uplifting texts or discussing ideas that promote understanding and love.

The idea of silence here indicates that a person who truly understands these mental practices is focused on deeper self-realization or understanding of their true self. Such a person naturally radiates peace and calmness, inspiring others around them.

Additionally, living with honesty and integrity in all your thoughts and actions purifies your existence. It means being respectful, helping others, and doing good without any expectation of gaining something in return.

In summary, this verse says that by practicing these five qualities—calmness, simplicity, seriousness, control over your impulses, and purity of thought—you can train your mind to be strong and focused. This training leads to a healthier, happier life where you can truly find satisfaction from within.

Other Verses of Chapter 17
Verse 1
Arjuna said, O Krsna, what is the situation of one who does not follow the principles of scripture but worships according to his own imagination? Is he in goodness, in passion or in ignorance?
Verse 2
The Supreme Lord said, according to the modes of nature acquired by the embodied soul, one's faith can be of three kinds-goodness, passion or ignorance. Now hear about these.
Verse 3
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.
Verse 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.
Verse 5
Those men who practice terrific austerities not prescribed by the scriptures, given to hypocrisy and egoism, driven by the force of lust and attachment.
Verse 6
Know thou these to be of demonical resolves, senselessly torturing all the elements in the body and Me who dwell in the body.
Verse 7
Even food of which all partake is of three kinds, according to the three modes of material nature. The same is true of sacrifices, austerities and charity. Listen, and I shall tell you of the distinctions of these.
Verse 8
The foods that increase life, purity, strength, health, joy, and cheerfulness (good appetite), which are savory, oily, substantial, and agreeable, are dear to the Sattvic (pure) people.
Verse 9
The foods that are bitter, sour, salty, overly hot, pungent, dry, and burning are liked by the Rajasic and are productive of pain, grief, and disease.
Verse 10
That which is stale, tasteless, putrid, rotten, rejected, and impure is the food liked by the Tamasic.
Verse 11
Of sacrifices, that sacrifice performed according to duty and to scriptural rules, and with no expectation of reward, is of the nature of goodness.
Verse 12
But that sacrifice performed for some material end or benefit or performed ostentatiously, out of pride, is of the nature of passion, O chief of the Bharatas.
Verse 13
And that sacrifice performed in defiance of scriptural injunctions, in which no spiritual food is distributed, no hymns are chanted and no remunerations are made to the priests, and which is faithless—that sacrifice is of the nature of ignorance.
Verse 14
The austerity of the body consists in this: worship of the Supreme Lord, the brahmanas, the spiritual master, and superiors like the father and mother. Cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and nonviolence are also austerities of the body.
Verse 15
Austerity of speech consists in speaking truthfully and beneficially and in avoiding speech that offends. One should also recite the Vedas regularly.
Verse 17
This threefold austerity, practiced by men whose aim is not to benefit themselves materially but to please the Supreme, is of the nature of goodness.
Verse 18
Those ostentatious penances and austerities which are performed in order to gain respect, honor and reverence are said to be in the mode of passion. They are neither stable nor permanent.
Verse 19
And those penances and austerities which are performed foolishly by means of obstinate self-torture, or to destroy or injure others, are said to be in the mode of ignorance.
Verse 20
That gift which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person, and without expectation of return, is considered to be charity in the mode of goodness.
Verse 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.
Verse 22
And charity performed at an improper place and time and given to unworthy persons without respect and with contempt is charity in the mode of ignorance.
Verse 23
From the beginning of creation, the three syllables-om tat sat-have been used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth [Brahman]. They were uttered by brahmanas while chanting Vedic hymns and during sacrifices, for the satisfaction of the Supreme.
Verse 24
Thus the transcendentalists undertake sacrifices, charities, and penances, beginning always with om, to attain the Supreme.
Verse 25
One should perform sacrifice, penance and charity with the word tat. The purpose of such transcendental activities is to get free from the material entanglement.
Verse 26
The word "Sat" is used to refer to reality and goodness; likewise, O Arjuna, the word "Sat" is used to refer to an auspicious act.
Verse 27
Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and gift is also called 'Sat', and action in connection with these, or for the sake of the Supreme, is also called 'Sat'.
Verse 28
But sacrifices, austerities and charities performed without faith in the Supreme are nonpermanent, O son of Prtha, regardless of whatever rites are performed. They are called asat and are useless both in this life and the next.
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