Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga, All 28 Verses with Meaning

ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः
तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः ॥ १७.१ ॥

Ye shastravidhim utsrijya yajante shraddhayanvitah
Tesham nishtha tu ka krishna sattvam aho rajas tamah

MeaningArjuna says: Krishna, what is the standing of those who set aside the rule of scripture and yet worship with faith? Is it sattva, rajas or tamas?

NoteArjuna picks up the last verses of chapter 16. If a person drops the rule of scripture yet worships with faith, where do they stand? The reply is about faith and not about the rule.

त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा
सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु ॥ १७.२ ॥

Trividha bhavati shraddha dehinam sa svabhavaja
Sattviki rajasi chaiva tamasi cheti tam shrinu

MeaningThe Blessed Lord says: The faith of embodied beings is of three kinds, born of their own nature: sattvic, rajasic and tamasic. Hear about it.

NoteShraddha means faith or trust. It is said to be born of svabhava, a person's own nature, which links the chapter back to the gunas of chapter 14.

सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत
श्रद्धामयोऽयं पुरुषो यो यच्छ्रद्धः स एव सः ॥ १७.३ ॥

Sattvanurupa sarvasya shraddha bhavati bharata
Shraddhamayo 'yam purusho yo yachchhraddhah sa eva sah

MeaningThe faith of each person takes the shape of their inner nature, Arjuna. A person is made of faith. Whatever a person's faith is, that is what the person is.

NoteOne of the best known lines of the chapter. Faith is not a side matter. It makes the person.

यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः
प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः ॥ १७.४ ॥

Yajante sattvika devan yaksharakshamsi rajasah
Pretan bhutaganamsh chanye yajante tamasa janah

MeaningSattvic people worship the gods, rajasic people worship yakshas and rakshasas, and the others, the tamasic, worship the spirits of the dead and bands of ghosts.

NoteThe verse sorts objects of worship by guna, in the manner of its time. It is the tradition's classification, and teachers read it in different ways.

अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः
दम्भाहंकारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः ॥ १७.५ ॥

Ashastravihitam ghoram tapyante ye tapo janah
Dambhahankarasamyuktah kamaragabalanvitah

MeaningThose who practise harsh austerities that the scriptures do not lay down, joined with hypocrisy and egoism, and driven by desire, attachment and force,

कर्शयन्तः शरीरस्थं भूतग्राममचेतसः
मां चैवान्तःशरीरस्थं तान्विद्ध्यासुरनिश्चयान् ॥ १७.६ ॥

Karshayantah sharirastham bhutagramam achetasah
Mam chaivantahsharirastham tan viddhy asuranishchayan

Meaningsenselessly tormenting the elements that make up the body, and me too, who dwell within the body: know them to be of demonic resolve.

NoteBhutagrama is the group of elements that makes up the body. The verse says that tormenting it, for show or from desire, is a mistake and not a virtue.

आहारस्त्वपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रियः
यज्ञस्तपस्तथा दानं तेषां भेदमिमं शृणु ॥ १७.७ ॥

Aharas tv api sarvasya trividho bhavati priyah
Yajnas tapas tatha danam tesham bhedam imam shrinu

MeaningEven the food that each person likes is of three kinds, and so are sacrifice, austerity and giving. Hear how they differ.

आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः
रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः ॥ १७.८ ॥

Ayuhsattvabalarogyasukhapritivivardhanah
Rasyah snigdhah sthira hridya aharah sattvikapriyah

MeaningFoods that increase life, clarity, strength, health, comfort and cheer, that are juicy, smooth, lasting and pleasing to the heart, are dear to the sattvic.

NoteVerses 8 to 10 describe likings by guna. They are not nutrition advice and should not be used as a diet.

कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिनः
आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दुःखशोकामयप्रदाः ॥ १७.९ ॥

Katvamlalavanatyushnatikshnarukshavidahinah
Ahara rajasasyeshta duhkhashokamayapradah

MeaningFoods that are pungent, sour, salty, very hot, sharp, dry and burning, and that bring pain, grief and illness, are liked by the rajasic.

यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत्
उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम् ॥ १७.१० ॥

Yatayamam gatarasam puti paryushitam cha yat
Uchchhishtam api chamedhyam bhojanam tamasapriyam

MeaningFood that is stale, tasteless, foul, left overnight, left over from another's plate and unclean is dear to the tamasic.

अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते
यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः ॥ १७.११ ॥

Aphalakankshibhir yajno vidhidrishto ya ijyate
Yashtavyam eveti manah samadhaya sa sattvikah

MeaningThe sacrifice offered by those who do not want its fruit, in keeping with the rule, with the mind set on the thought that it simply ought to be done, is sattvic.

NoteThe sattvic sacrifice is done as a duty, with the mind set on the thought that it simply ought to be done. This is the chapter 3 idea of action as an offering.

अभिसंधाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत्
इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम् ॥ १७.१२ ॥

Abhisandhaya tu phalam dambhartham api chaiva yat
Ijyate bharatashreshtha tam yajnam viddhi rajasam

MeaningBut the sacrifice offered with its fruit in view, and also for show, know that to be rajasic, best of the Bharatas.

विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम्
श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते ॥ १७.१३ ॥

Vidhihinam asrishtannam mantrahinam adakshinam
Shraddhavirahitam yajnam tamasam parichakshate

MeaningA sacrifice without rule, without food given out, without mantra, without gifts to the priests and without faith is called tamasic.

देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम्
ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते ॥ १७.१४ ॥

Devadvijaguruprajnapujanam shaucham arjavam
Brahmacharyam ahimsa cha shariram tapa uchyate

MeaningHonouring the gods, the twice-born, teachers and the wise, cleanliness, straightness, chastity and non-violence: this is called austerity of the body.

NoteThe first of three austerities. Dvija, the twice-born, is read by commentators as the learned, usually brahmins. This is a reflection of the setting of the text.

अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत्
स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते ॥ १७.१५ ॥

Anudvegakaram vakyam satyam priyahitam cha yat
Svadhyayabhyasanam chaiva vanmayam tapa uchyate

MeaningSpeech that causes no distress, that is true, pleasant and helpful, and the steady practice of study: this is called austerity of speech.

NoteSpeech should be true, pleasant and helpful, and not cause distress. Many readers treat this one verse as a rule for everyday talk.

मनःप्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः
भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते ॥ १७.१६ ॥

Manahprasadah saumyatvam maunam atmavinigrahah
Bhavasamshuddhir ity etat tapo manasam uchyate

MeaningSerenity of mind, kindliness, silence, self-control and purity of feeling: this is called austerity of the mind.

NoteThe austerity of the mind is described in gentle terms: serenity, kindliness, silence, self-control and purity of feeling.

श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः
अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते ॥ १७.१७ ॥

Shraddhaya paraya taptam tapas tat trividham naraih
Aphalakankshibhir yuktaih sattvikam parichakshate

MeaningThis threefold austerity, practised with the highest faith by steady people who do not want its fruit, is called sattvic.

सत्कारमानपूजार्थं तपो दम्भेन चैव यत्
क्रियते तदिह प्रोक्तं राजसं चलमध्रुवम् ॥ १७.१८ ॥

Satkaramanapujartham tapo dambhena chaiva yat
Kriyate tad iha proktam rajasam chalam adhruvam

MeaningAusterity practised to win respect, honour and worship, and with show, is called rajasic here. It is unsteady and does not last.

मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः
परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥ १७.१९ ॥

Mudhagrahenatmano yat pidaya kriyate tapah
Parasyotsadanartham va tat tamasam udahritam

MeaningAusterity practised with a deluded stubbornness, by hurting oneself or in order to ruin another, is called tamasic.

NoteSelf-harm done out of stubbornness is called tamasic. The Gita does not praise suffering for its own sake.

दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे
देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ॥ १७.२० ॥

Datavyam iti yad danam diyate 'nupakarine
Deshe kale cha patre cha tad danam sattvikam smritam

MeaningA gift given with the thought that it ought to be given, to one who can do nothing in return, at the right place and time and to a worthy person, is held to be sattvic.

NoteGiving is judged by the reason and the manner of the gift: duty, the right place and time, and a worthy person.

यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः
दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥ १७.२१ ॥

Yat tu pratyupakarartham phalam uddishya va punah
Diyate cha pariklishtam tad danam rajasam smritam

MeaningBut a gift given in the hope of something in return, or with the fruit in view, or given reluctantly, is held to be rajasic.

अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते
असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥ १७.२२ ॥

Adeshakale yad danam apatrebhyash cha diyate
Asatkritam avajnatam tat tamasam udahritam

MeaningA gift given at the wrong place and time, to unworthy people, without respect and with contempt, is called tamasic.

ओं तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः
ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा ॥ १७.२३ ॥

Om tat sad iti nirdesho brahmanas trividhah smritah
Brahmanas tena vedash cha yajnash cha vihitah pura

MeaningOm Tat Sat is held to be the threefold name of Brahman. By it, in ancient times, the brahmins, the Vedas and the sacrifices were set in place.

NoteOm Tat Sat is used at the close of many Vedic recitations. Om begins, Tat points to the one beyond, and Sat names what is real.

तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः
प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ॥ १७.२४ ॥

Tasmad om ity udahritya yajnadanatapahkriyah
Pravartante vidhanoktah satatam brahmavadinam

MeaningTherefore the acts of sacrifice, giving and austerity laid down by the rules always begin with the utterance of Om, among those who speak of Brahman.

तदित्यनभिसंधाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः
दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः ॥ १७.२५ ॥

Tad ity anabhisandhaya phalam yajnatapahkriyah
Danakriyash cha vividhah kriyante mokshakankshibhih

MeaningSaying Tat, without aiming at the fruit, the many acts of sacrifice, austerity and giving are done by those who seek liberation.

सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते
प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते ॥ १७.२६ ॥

Sadbhave sadhubhave cha sad ity etat prayujyate
Prashaste karmani tatha sachchhabdah partha yujyate

MeaningThe word Sat is used for what is real and for what is good. The word Sat is also used, Partha, for a praiseworthy action.

NoteSat means both what is real and what is good. The word is then extended to a praiseworthy act.

यज्ञे तपसि दाने च स्थितिः सदिति चोच्यते
कर्म चैव तदर्थीयं सदित्येवाभिधीयते ॥ १७.२७ ॥

Yajne tapasi dane cha sthitih sad iti chochyate
Karma chaiva tadarthiyam sad ity evabhidhiyate

MeaningSteadiness in sacrifice, austerity and giving is also called Sat, and action done for the sake of these is likewise called Sat.

अश्रद्धया हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत्
असदित्युच्यते पार्थ न च तत्प्रेत्य नो इह ॥ १७.२८ ॥

Ashraddhaya hutam dattam tapas taptam kritam cha yat
Asad ity uchyate partha na cha tat pretya no iha

MeaningWhat is offered, given, practised or done without faith is called Asat, Partha. It counts for nothing after death and for nothing here.

NoteThe last verse says that whatever is done without faith counts for nothing, here or after death. The word asat means not sat, not real.