Bhagwad Gita (English) | Chapter 17 | Verse 17

Chapter 17, Verse 17

The Divisions of Faith

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

श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्ित्रविधं नरैः।अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते।।17.17।।

śhraddhayā parayā taptaṁ tapas tat tri-vidhaṁ naraiḥ
aphalākāṅkṣhibhir yuktaiḥ sāttvikaṁ parichakṣhate

Meaning of each word

śhraddhayā — with faith;
parayā — transcendental;
taptam — practiced;
tapaḥ — austerity;
tat — that;
tri-vidham — three-fold;
naraiḥ — by persons;
aphala-ākāṅkṣhibhiḥ — without yearning for material rewards;
yuktaiḥ — steadfast;
sāttvikam — in the mode of goodness;
parichakṣhate — are designated

Interpretation

This verse talks about a special kind of effort or discipline called austerity, which can be seen in three areas: what we do with our bodies, what we say with our words, and what we think in our minds. It says that when people practice these austerities with good intentions, and not for personal gain, they are acting in a way that is pure and good (this is referred to as 'goodness' or Sattva).

The important point here is that the intention behind these actions matters greatly. If someone goes on a diet or exercises not just to look good or get something in return for themselves, but instead to cultivate a deeper connection with a higher power (which might mean practicing their faith), that's what makes it an act of goodness.

For instance, if a person decides to volunteer their time to help others because they want to please God rather than to get a good reputation or feel better about themselves, that’s the right kind of austerity.

This verse emphasizes that true austerity is not about suffering or punishing oneself unnecessarily; rather, it’s about having a selfless purpose. It encourages us to align our actions and thoughts with a higher spiritual aim rather than just focusing on our personal desires and ego.

In summary, this verse teaches that when we engage in practices—be it through our actions, speech, or thoughts—that are genuinely aimed at serving a greater cause and honoring a divine presence, these acts become pure and good, reflecting the true spirit of altruism. It inspires people to act from the heart and to focus on spiritual growth rather than personal reward.

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 16
And serenity, simplicity, gravity, self-control and purity of thought are the austerities of the mind.

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.

Download as Image