Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga

ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः। तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः॥ 17:1॥

O Krishna! What about those individuals who, keeping aside the scripture, engage in yajna, and worship with sincere faith? In doing so, do their actions reflect a disposition characterized by the Noble (Sāttvic) Mode, the Passional (Rājasic) Mode, or the Ignoble (Tāmasic) Mode? (17:1)

त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा। सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु॥ 17:2॥

The natural faith arising out of the innate nature of human beings is of three types—Noble (Sāttvic), Passional (Rājasic), and Ignoble (Tāmasic). You hear that now. (17:2)

सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत। श्रद्धामयोऽयं पुरुषो यो यच्छ्रद्धः स एव सः॥ 17:3॥

O, Bhārata! The faith held by all individuals is in harmony with their intrinsic disposition. Man's true essence is reflected in his faith, as he embodies the nature of his faith. (17:3)

यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः। प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः ॥ 17:4॥

Those whose nature is dominated by Noble (Sāttvic) elements worship gods; the ones dominated by Passional (Rājasic) elements worship Yakshas and Asuras, and the ones with predominantly Dark (Tāmasic) traits worship spirits and ghosts. (17:4)

अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः। दम्भाहंकारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः ॥ 17:5॥

Those who are full of arrogance, ego, carnal desires, worldly attachment, and {pride of their} might and practice extreme austerities without following the prescriptions of scriptures, (17:5)

कर्शयन्तः शरीरस्थं भूतग्राममचेतसः। मां चैवान्तःशरीरस्थं तान्विद्ध्यासुरनिश्चयान्॥ 17:6॥

Thus, hurting the physical organs constituting the body and troubling Me (God) lodged in their body—know those ignorant ones to be demonical in nature. (17:6)

आहारस्त्वपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रियः। यज्ञस्तपस्तथा दानं तेषां भेदमिमं शृणु॥ 17:7॥

Food is also of three types, liked by all according to their {Sāttvic, Rājasic, or Tāmasic} nature. In the same way, there are three types of yajna, austerity, and charity. Listen to their differences. (17:7)

आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः। रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः॥ 17:8॥

Those who are predominantly of a Noble (Sāttvic) nature love foods that are juicy, oiled, promote longevity, enhance intelligence, augment strength, contribute to physical well-being, bring happiness, and kindle love. They are stable in the body, and are agreeable to the heart {and not only the tongue}. (17:8)

कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरुक्षविदाहिनः। आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दुःखशोकामयप्रदाः॥ 17:9॥

Individuals with a Passional (Rājasic) disposition have a preference for food that is bitter, sour, salty, excessively spicy, fiery hot, dry, and induces acidity. Such dietary choices can lead to grief, anguish, and health issues. (17:9)

यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत्। उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम्॥ 17:10॥

Food that is undercooked, lacking in juices, possesses a foul odor, is stale, or has been consumed and left over by others, as well as impure or unholy food, is relished by those with a Tāmasic nature. (17:10)

अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते। यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः॥ 17:11॥

When a sacrificial fire-ceremony is performed according to the instructions of scriptures as an ordained duty, without craving the fruits or results, it is called a Noble (Sāttvic) yajna. (17:11)

अभिसन्धाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत्। इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम्॥ 17:12॥

But that which is performed expecting a reward or for show-off—know that to be a Passional (Rājasic) yajna. (17:12)

विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम्। श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते॥ 17:13॥

Yajnas, performed without following the rules {of the scriptures}, without distributing free food, without incantation, without paying due honorarium (dakshinā) to the priests, and without faith and reverence, are called Tāmasic yajna. (17:13)

देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम्। ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते॥ 17:14॥

Honoring the deities, twice-borns, Gurus (spiritual guides), and Prāgyas (the wise and learned ones); keeping the body clean, living a simple life, practicing celibacy and non-violence—these are called austerities of the body. (17:14)

अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत्। स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते॥ 17:15॥

Engaging in self-study, and speech that does not perturb others, is truthful, pleasant, and constructive, constitute austerity of the speech. (17:15)

मनः प्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः। भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते ॥ 17:16॥

The serenity of mind, kindliness, silence, self-control, and refinement of emotions—these are called austerity of the mind. (17:16)

श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः। अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते॥ 17:17॥

When these three types of austerities are pursued with the utmost reverence and with God in mind, performed by individuals without expectations of rewards, they are referred to as Noble (Sāttvic) austerities. (17:17)

सत्कारमानपूजार्थं तपो दम्भेन चैव यत्। क्रियते तदिह प्रोक्तं राजसं चलमध्रुवम्॥ 17:18॥

Austerity pursued for the sake of ostentation, seeking admiration, recognition, or aiming to attract veneration, is classified as Passional (Rājasic) austerity. Such austerities yield only temporary results. (17:18)

मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः। परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्॥ 17:19॥

Austerity, practiced foolishly inflicting pain on oneself or to harm others, is called Dark (Tāmasic) austerity. (17:19)

दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे। देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम्॥ 17:20॥

Charitable giving is best when it is extended to a deserving recipient who has not rendered any service to the giver. When such acts of charity are performed at the right time and place, with a deep sense of duty and conviction, they are considered to be Noble (Sāttvic) acts of giving. (17:20)

यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः। दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम्॥ 17:21॥

Conversely, if charitable giving is done begrudgingly, with regret, or to get something in return or keeping the fruits of the act in mind, it is called Passional (Rājasic) giving. (17:21)

अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते। असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्॥ 17:22॥

The donation or gift given with disrespect or contempt to the one receiving it, without regard to the place and time, or to an undeserving person, is called Ignoble (Tāmasic) giving. (17:22)

ॐतत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः। ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा॥ 17:23॥

"Aum (God) tut (That is) sut" (Eternal Truth)^1 : These three sacred words have existed since time immemorial and have continued to be employed by the Brāhmins during yajnas (sacrificial ceremonies) and while chanting Vedic hymns. (17:23)

तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः। प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम्॥ 17:24॥

Therefore, activities of the followers of Brahm (God-the-Supreme)—sacrificial fire-ceremonies (yajnas), charity, and austerities—always commence by chanting Aum (the name of God), according to the protocol laid out {in scriptures}. (17:24)

तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः। दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः॥ 17:25॥

People who desire Nirvāna undertake with the utterance of "tat" (everything is His) many activities like yajna, charitable giving, austerities, etc., not expecting any reward. (17:25)

सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते। प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते॥ 17:26॥

This "sut" is used in two senses—existence and virtuosity; and O, Pārtha, it is also used to denote good deeds. (17:26)

यज्ञे तपसि दाने च स्थितिः सदिति चोच्यते। कर्म चैव तदर्थीयं सदित्येवाभिधीयते॥ 17:27॥

Abiding in yajna, austerities, and charitable giving is also referred to as "sut," and all actions directed towards that Supreme God are likewise termed "sut." (17:27)

अश्रद्धया हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत्। असदित्युच्यते पार्थ न च तत्प्रेत्य नो इह॥ 17:28॥

O, Pārtha! Yajna (spiritual pursuits), charity, austerity, and other deeds carried out without genuine faith and reverence (shraddhā) are deemed devoid of virtue (asut); they provide no benefit either in this world or in the realms beyond in the afterlife. (17:28)