Next Shlok Previous Shlok
Bhagwad Gita (English) | Chapter 17 | Verse 2

Chapter 17, Verse 2

The Divisions of Faith

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

श्री भगवानुवाचत्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा।सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां श्रृणु।।17.2।।


śhrī-bhagavān uvācha
tri-vidhā bhavati śhraddhā dehināṁ sā svabhāva-jā
sāttvikī rājasī chaiva tāmasī cheti tāṁ śhṛiṇu

Meaning of each word

śhrī-bhagavān uvācha — the Supreme Personality said;
tri-vidhā — of three kinds;
bhavati — is;
śhraddhā — faith;
dehinām — embodied beings;
sā — which;
sva-bhāva-jā — born of one’s innate nature;
sāttvikī — of the mode of goodness;
rājasī — of the mode of passion;
cha — and;
eva — certainly;
tāmasī — of the mode of ignorance;
cha — and;
iti — thus;
tām — about this;
śhṛiṇu — hear

Interpretation

In this verse, Lord Krishna explains that everyone has a certain type of faith based on their nature, which is influenced by their past experiences and actions. There are three main types of faith: 1. **Goodness (Sattvik)**: This is a type of faith that is pure and positive. People who have this kind of faith are often kind, helpful, and prefer to follow good rules or teachings. They are influenced by a mode that is peaceful and joyful, which comes from understanding things clearly and having a good heart. For example, when someone chooses to help others or follow a healthy lifestyle, they act from this state of faith. 2. **Passion (Rajasic)**: This type of faith is more about desires and achievements. People with this kind of faith are often driven and may make decisions based on what they want to gain, whether it's money, success, or power. They may follow rules, but often out of a desire for recognition or reward. An example of this is when someone works hard at their job to earn a promotion or praise rather than because they genuinely enjoy their work. 3. **Ignorance (Tamasic)**: This is the lowest form of faith characterized by confusion, laziness, and darkness. People who operate from this mode often lack motivation and may engage in harmful behaviors because they don’t understand better options. They might ignore important rules or teachings, thinking they can do whatever feels good at the moment without considering the consequences. An example would be someone who neglects their health or relationships simply because they feel too lazy to change. The key takeaway is that everyone has a different faith based on their nature acquired through life experiences. But importantly, this nature can change! If someone seeks guidance from a wise teacher or studies sacred texts, they can improve their faith and elevate their nature. So, if a person is currently acting out of ignorance, with effort and the right guidance, they can become better and more aligned with goodness. This verse encourages us to examine our faith and actions thoughtfully. Blindly following any faith without understanding or reflection won't lead to real growth. Connecting with a spiritual guide or true wisdom allows a person to enhance their qualities and develop a more positive, life-affirming faith. Thus, through conscious choice and self-improvement, people can elevate their lives.

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 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 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.
Download as Image