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The Three Kinds of Faith · 28 verses
Ask Krishna about this chapterArjuna asked, "My Lord, what is the condition of those who perform acts of sacrifice not according to the scriptures, but with implicit faith? Is it one of purity,…
The Blessed Lord said: The faith of embodied beings, born of their own nature, is threefold—sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic. Hear now about it.
Every person's faith conforms to their nature. By nature, they are full of faith. They are, in fact, what their faith makes them.
Those of sattvic nature worship the gods; those of rajasic nature worship yakshas and rakshasas; and the others, persons of tamasic nature, worship the departed spirits…
Those who practice austerities not commanded by scripture, who are enslaved to hypocrisy and egotism, who are carried away by the fury of desire and passion,
Those senseless ones who torment the aggregate of elements dwelling in the body, and also Me who dwell within the body — know them to be of demoniacal resolve.
The food that people enjoy is also threefold, like the ways of sacrifice, austerity, and almsgiving. Listen to the distinction.
The foods that prolong life, increase purity, vigour, health, cheerfulness, and happiness are those that are delicious, soothing, substantial, and agreeable; these are…
Those in whom passion is dominant like foods that are bitter, sour, salty, overly hot, pungent, dry, and burning. These produce unhappiness, repentance, and disease.
The ignorant love food that is stale, not nourishing, putrid, and corrupt; the leftovers of others, and unclean.
Sacrifice is pure when it is offered by one who does not covet the fruit of it, when it is done according to the commands of scripture, and with implicit faith that the…
But that sacrifice which is performed with an eye on the fruit and also for the sake of ostentation, know that sacrifice to be rajasic, O best of the Bharatas.
Sacrifice that is contrary to scriptural command, that is unaccompanied by prayers or gifts of food or money, and is without faith—that is the product of ignorance.
Worship of the gods, the twice-born, teachers, and the wise; cleanliness, straightforwardness, celibacy, and non-violence — these are called the austerity of the body.
Speech that hurts no one, that is true, pleasant to listen to, and beneficial, and the constant study of the scriptures—this is austerity of speech.
Serenity, kindness, silence, self-control, and purity—these are the austerities of the mind.
That threefold austerity, practiced with supreme faith by steadfast persons who desire no fruit, is declared to be sattvic.
Austerity coupled with hypocrisy, or performed for the sake of self-glorification, popularity, or vanity, comes from passion, and its result is always uncertain and…
That austerity which is performed with a deluded resolve, through self-torture, or for the purpose of destroying another, is declared to be tamasic.
The gift that is given without thought of recompense, believing it should be made, in an appropriate place, at an opportune time, and to a deserving person—such a gift…
That which is given for the sake of the results it will produce, or with the hope of recompense, or grudgingly—that may truly be said to be the outcome of passion.
And that which is given at an inappropriate place or time or to one who is undeserving, or with disrespect or contempt - such a gift is the result of ignorance.
Om Tat Sat" — this is declared to be the threefold designation of Brahman. By that were the Brahmanas, the Vedas, and the sacrifices ordained of old.
Therefore, all acts of sacrifice, gifts, and austerities prescribed by the scriptures are always begun by those who understand the Spirit with the word "Om."
Those who desire deliverance begin their acts of sacrifice, austerity, or gift with the word "Tat" (meaning "That"), without thought of reward.
Sat' means Reality or the highest Good, and also, O Arjuna, it is used to denote an action of exceptional merit.
Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and charity is also called "Sat," and action performed for the sake of these is likewise designated as "Sat.
Whatever is done without faith, whether it be sacrifice, austerity, gift, or anything else, is called Asat (meaning "Unreal"), for it is the negation of Sat, O Arjuna!…