Shrimad Bhagavad Gita · 28 verses
Chapter 17: The Three Kinds of Faith
Faith, food, sacrifice, austerity and charity each come in sattvic, rajasic and tamasic forms.
All verses, with meaning
17.1A question on faithArjuna asks: O Krishna, what about those who set aside the rules of scripture but worship …17.2Three kinds of faithKrishna says: The faith of people, born of their nature, is of three kinds — sattvic, raja…17.3You are your faithO Arjuna, everyone's faith matches their inner nature. A person is made of their faith — a…17.4Whom each worshipsSattvic people worship the gods, rajasic people worship yakshas and rakshasas, and tamasic…17.5Austerity against scriptureThose who practise harsh austerities not taught in scripture, full of show and ego, driven…17.6Torturing the bodywho foolishly torment the elements of their own body and Me who dwells within — know them …17.7Food, sacrifice, austerity, charityThe food people like is also of three kinds, and so are sacrifice, austerity and charity. …17.8Sattvic foodFood that increases life, purity, strength, health, joy and cheerfulness — juicy, smooth, …17.9Rajasic foodFood that is too bitter, sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry or burning is liked by rajasic peo…17.10Tamasic foodFood that is stale, tasteless, foul-smelling, left overnight, left over by others and impu…17.11Sattvic sacrificeA sacrifice done according to scripture, without wanting reward, with the firm feeling 'th…17.12Rajasic sacrificeBut a sacrifice done for the sake of reward, or for show, O best of the Bharatas — know th…17.13Tamasic sacrificeA sacrifice done without rules, without sharing food, without mantras, without gifts to th…17.14Austerity of bodyHonouring the gods, the learned, teachers and the wise, along with cleanliness, simplicity…17.15Austerity of speechWords that cause no hurt, that are true, kind and helpful, along with regular reading and …17.16Austerity of mindContentment of mind, gentleness, silence, self-control and purity of feeling — this is cal…17.17Sattvic austerityWhen this threefold austerity is practised with deep faith by steady people who want no re…17.18Rajasic austerityAusterity done to gain respect, honour and worship, and with show, is rajasic; it is unste…17.19Tamasic austerityAusterity done out of foolish stubbornness, by torturing oneself, or in order to harm othe…17.20Sattvic charityA gift given because giving is right, at the proper place and time, to a worthy person who…17.21Rajasic charityA gift given to get something back, or with an eye on reward, or given unwillingly, is cal…17.22Tamasic charityA gift given at the wrong place and time, to an unworthy person, without respect or with c…17.23Om Tat Sat'Om Tat Sat' is said to be the threefold name of Brahman. Through it, in ancient times, th…17.24Beginning with OmThat is why followers of the Vedas always begin their prescribed acts of sacrifice, charit…17.25Tat — without seeking rewardSaying 'Tat', seekers of liberation perform many acts of sacrifice, austerity and charity …17.26The meaning of SatO Partha, the word 'Sat' is used to mean reality and goodness, and it is also used for aus…17.27Action for GodSteadiness in sacrifice, austerity and charity is also called 'Sat', and any action done f…17.28Without faith, it is emptyO Partha, whatever offering, gift, austerity or act is done without faith is called 'asat'…