GITA Summary , Chapter - 17 of 18 .

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Hare Krishna. Pranam to all Vaishnavas,

I surrender unto the lotus feet of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, begging for His merciful blessings to, advise Gita-rahasya to His Bhaktas of this group .

GITA Summary of Chapter – 17 ( Sraddha Traya Vibhaag Yoga)

( Yoga Through Discerning the Three Types of Faith )

Preface

This chapter explains the three types of Faith. A person develops faith that is ‘sattvic’ (goodness) , ‘rajasvic’ (passionate) or ‘tamasvic’ (ignorant), according to the particular ‘prakrti ‘ (material nature) he has acquired due to his activities in the previous birth .

The ‘faith’ originally comes out of the ‘Sattva-guna’. But in material conditional life, no works are completely purified. They are mixed. In purified goodness one can understand the real nature of the Supreme God. As long as one's faith is not completely in purified goodness, the faith is subject to contamination which expands to the heart. It should be understood that if one's heart is in the ‘sattva-guna’ his faith is also in the mode of goodness. If his heart is in the ‘rajo-guna’ , his faith is also in the mode of passion. And if his

heart is in the ‘tamo-guna’ or , illusion, his faith is also thus contaminated due to ignorance.

TRUE FAITH

One who follows the injunctions of Vedic scriptures faithfully is of Daivic (divine) nature. One who rejects Vedic scriptures and acts according to his own will is of Asuric (demonic) nature , who falls down to be further low-born born, with every birth.

The ‘Impersonalists’ are supposed to be situated in ‘Sattva-guna’ . They imagine that Vishnu is just the ‘Sattvic’ form of the impersonal Brahman ; Brahma is it’s ‘Rajasvic’ form ; and Siva is the ‘Tamasvic’ form . Thus they describe five different Devatas (Siva, Vishnu, Durga, Ganesha, and Sun ), that are worshipable . However, they are not really

sincere in their worship and ultimately dispose of all the above Devatas in order to seek ‘ Impersonal Brahman’. Therefore, the Impersonalists fail to reach the Supreme destination. The great Sage Aadi Shankara had initially followed the ‘impersonalist path’ but gradually elevated himself to worship the Supreme God Sri Krishna to attained salvation .

There are ‘loud-mouthed’ missionary workers, who preach anti-Vedic theories promising God’s kingdom in return for converting to a particular religion . But, these ‘Preachers’ as well as their elite ‘Clergy’ themselves are unable to apply in their own lives, the ambiguous instructions of their ‘scriptural text’. These hypocrites are merely exploiting the sentiments of the people, as a shortcut to grab wealth and power.

Srimad-Bhagavatam (4.3.23) says “ Sattvam visuddham vasudeva-sabditam” ( “When a man is situated in pure goodness, he worships Vasudeva ”.)

TYPES OF FOOD

The purpose of food is to increase the duration of life, purify the mind and aid bodily strength. This is its only purpose. ‘Sattvic’ foods like Milk, butter, cheese and similar products give animal fat in a form which rules out any need for the killing of innocent creatures. Protein is amply available through split peas, dal, whole wheat, etc. ‘Sattvic’ foods are pleasant to the heart and stomach. ’Rajasvic’ foods in the mode of passion, which are bitter, too salty, or too hot or overly mixed with red pepper, cause misery by reducing the mucus in the stomach, leading to disease.

‘Tamasvic’ foods are essentially those that are not fresh. Any food cooked more than three hours before it is eaten (except prasadam, food offered to the Lord) is considered to be ‘Tamasvic”. They are decomposing, and give a bad odor, which often attracts ill-fated demonic people .

The best food is the remnants of what is offered to Sri Krishna. In Bhagavad-gita, Krishna says that He accepts preparations of vegetables, flour and milk, which are offered with devotion. Therefore to make food antiseptic, eatable and palatable for all persons, one should offer food first to Bhagavan Krishna.

SACRED SACRIFICES

The general tendency is to offer sacrifice with some material desire in mind. One should go to a Vedic temple as a matter of duty, pay respect to the Deity and offer flowers and eatables. Some people think that there is no use in going to the temple just to worship God. But Vedic scriptures advises temple worship, which can place one in ‘Sattva-guna’.

AUSTERITY OF BODY, MIND, SPEECH, AND DEED

Austerity of the body includes paying respect to respect to the Supreme God (Krishna or Maha-vishnu), Devatas, the Saints, Brahmanas, Spiritual teachers and elders. Also, one should practice cleansing oneself externally and internally ; learn to become simple in behavior; and follow the scriptural injunctions relevant to the body .

Austerity of the mind requires control of the mind which can be obtained only by taking the mind away from thoughts of sense enjoyment. The best course is to divert the mind to the Vedic literature, which is full of satisfying stories, as in the Puranas and the Mahabharata. One can take advantage of this knowledge and thus become purified. The person situated in Krishna-bhakti observes perfect silence in this sense. One should be straightforward in his dealings and

thereby purify his existence.

Austerity of the speech is not to wrongly agitate the minds of others. Of course, when a Spiritual teacher speaks, he can speak the truth for the instruction of his students, but such a teacher should not speak to those who are not his students if he will agitate their minds. Besides this, one should not talk nonsense. The process of speaking in spiritual circles is to say something upheld by the Vedic scriptures. One should at once quote from scriptural authority to back up what he is saying. At the same time, such talk should be very pleasant to the ear. By such discussions, one may derive the highest benefit and elevate human society. There is a limitless stock of Vedic literature, and one should study this.

Austerity of the deed is not do anything which is not sanctioned by the injunctions of Vedic scriptures. One should surrender to Krishna and perform his prescribed duties (according to scriptural injunctions) as an offering to Krishna.

The above mentioned austerities practiced by pure devotees with supreme faith, without a desire for the fruit, is said to be in the ‘Sattva-guna’.

Sometimes austerity and ‘tapasya’ are executed to attract people and receive honor, respect and worship from others. Certain ‘Rajasvic’ people arrange to be worshiped by subordinates and let them wash their feet and offer riches. Such arrangements artificially made by the performance of penances are considered to be in the mode of passion. The results are temporary; they can be continued for some time, but they are not permanent.

 

CHARITY

Charity is recommended to be given at a place of pilgrimage and at lunar or solar eclipses or at the end of the month or to a qualified brahmana or a Vaisnava (devotee) or in temples. Such charities should be given without any consideration of return. Charity to the poor is sometimes given out of compassion, but if a poor man is not worth giving charity to, then there is no spiritual advancement. In other words, indiscriminate charity is not recommended in the Vedic literature.

FAITH IN KRISHNA

 

In all the Vedic scriptures, faith in the Supreme God (Sri Krishna or Maha-Vishnu) is advised. The ultimate goal is the understanding of Him. No one can obtain true success without following this principle.

 

The best course is to engage in Krishna-bhakti to achieve gradual elevation to genuine faith in Krishna. When that faith matures, it is called love of Krishna . This love is the ultimate goal of the living entities. That is the message of this Seventeenth Chapter.

Sri Krishna instructs His great devotee Uddhava (Bhagavatham 11.12.17) “My dear Uddhava, I give life to all living beings and I am situated within the heart along with the life air and primal sound vibration. I can be perceived in My subtle form within the heart by one’s mind, since I control the minds of everyone including great Devatas like Lord Siva . I also assume a gross form as the various sounds of the Vedas, composed of short and long vowels and consonants of different intonations . “

Summary

Sloka 1arjuna uvaca :

ye sastra-vidhim utsrjya / yajante sraddhayanvitahtesam nistha tu ka krsna / sattvam aho rajas tamah(Arjuna inquired: O Krishna, what is the position of those who ignore the injunctions of the scriptures, but still perform worship with faith? Are they ‘sattvic’, ‘Rajasvic’ or ‘Tamasvic ‘ ? (Are they in the mode of goodness, passion or ignorance

?.)Sloka 2sri bhagavan uvaca :

tri-vidha bhavati sraddha / dehinam sa svabhava-jasattviki rajasi caiva / tamasi ceti tam srnu( Sri Bhagavan said: The natural faith of embodied beings is of three types ; ‘sattvic’ (having goodness), ’Rajasvic’ (passionate) or ‘Tamasvic’ (ignorant) .

( It is determined according to the material nature acquired by the person as a result of his activities in his previous birth .)

Sloka 3sattvanurupa sarvasya / sraddha bhavati bharatasraddha-mayo 'yam puruso / yo yac-chraddhah ca eva sah(O Arjuna, the faith of each person is in accordance with his own mental constitution that is governed by his previous ‘Karma’ . In whatever worshipable object he places his faith, he develops a corresponding mental constitution.)Sloka 4yajante sattvika devan / yaksa-raksamsi rajasahpretan bhuta-ganams canye / yajante tamasa janah(‘Sattvic’ people worship the Devatas , who are of a

similar mode. ‘Rajasvic ‘ people worship the Yaksas and Raksasas (Supernatural rulers and Demons), who are of similar passionate natures. And the ‘Tamasvic’ people worship ghosts and spirits, who are of similar nature .) Slokas 5-6asastra-vihitam ghoram / tapyante ye tapo janahdambhahankara-samyuktah / kama-raga-balanvitahkarsayantah sarira-stham / bhuta-gramam acetasahmancaivantah sarira-stham / tan viddhy asura-niscayan(Those who practice severe austerities and ‘tapasya’ (penances) without following the prescription of the Vedic scriptures ; who are full of hypocrisy and egotism; who are impelled by the force of lust and attachment ; who senselessly torture the elements in their body and also Me ( living within each body as,

the Supersoul ) ; are to be known as Asuras (Demons) .

Sloka 7aharas tv api sarvasya / tri-vidho bhavati priyahyajnas tapas tatha danam / tesam bhedam imam srnu(The food which different people like, is of three kinds, according to the three gunas (Sattva, rajas and tamas) . The same is true of ‘yajna’ (sacred sacrifices) , ‘tapasya’ (penance) and charity. Now hear of the distinctions between them. )Sloka 8ayuh-sattva-balarogya / sukha-priti-vivarddhanahrayah snigdhah sthira-dhrdya / aharah sattvika-priyah( ‘Sattvic’ people like those foods that promote longevity, virtue,

strength, health, happiness, and joy . Such foods are juicy, wholesome, nutritious and pleasing to the heart .)Sloka 9katv-amla-lavanaty-usna- / tiksna-ruksa-vidahinahahara rajasasyesta / duhkha-sokamaya-pradah(‘Rajasvic’ people like those Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry and burning . Such foods cause distress, misery and disease.)

Sloka 10yatayamam gatarasam / puti paryusitanca yatucchistamapi camedhyam / bhojanam tamasapriyam(‘Tamasvic’ people like food which is cooked more than three hours before being eaten and which is cold, tasteless, putrid, stale, partly eaten or rejected and impure. )Sloka 11aphalakanksibhir yajno / vidhi-disto ya ijyateyastavyam eveti manah / samadhaya sa sattvikah( The ‘yajna’ which is performed in accordance with the Vedic scriptures, without the desire for the fruit, with a firm belief and conviction that it is a duty, is ‘Sattvic’.)

Sloka 12abhisandhaya tu phalam / dambhartham api caiva yatijyate bharata-srestha / tam yajnam viddhi rajasam(O Arjuna, the yajna that is performed only for show, and aiming for fruit, is ‘Rajasvic’ .)

Sloka 13vidhi-hinam asrstannam / mantra-hinam adaksinamsraddha-virahitam yajnam / tamasam paricaksate(Any ‘yajna’ that is performed without regard for the directions of Vedic scripture, without distribution of ‘prasadam’ [spiritual food], without chanting of Vedic hymns and remunerations to the priests, and without faith is considered to be ‘Tamasvic’.)Sloka 14deva-dvija-guru-prajna / pujanam saucan arjavambrahmacaryam ahimsa ca / sariram tapa ucyate( Austerities of the body include worship of the devatas, the brahmanas, gurus, persons with a thorough understanding of the Absolute, cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and non-violence.)Sloka 15anudvega-karam vakyam / satyam priya-hitanca yatsvadhyayabhyasanam caiva / van-mayam tapa ucyate(Words which cause no agitation and which are truthful, pleasing and beneficial, as well as the practice of reciting the Vedas, are all said to be austerities of speech.)Sloka 16manah-prasadah saumyatvam / maunam atma-vinigrahahbhava-samsuddhir ity etat / tapo manasam ucyate(Austerities of the mind consist of satisfaction, gentleness, gravity, mental discipline and purity of behavior. )Sloka 17sraddhaya paraya taptam / tapas tat-tri-vidham naraihaphalakanksibhir yuktaih / sattvikam paricaksate(This threefold austerities performed by men with transcendental faith, who are not desiring any material benefit, is said to be ‘sattvic’.)Sloka 18satkara-mana-pujartham / tapo dambhena caiva yatkriyate tad iha proktam / rajasam calam adhruvam( That austerity which is performed with pride for the sake of recognition, honour and adoration, is called ‘Rajasvic’ . It is both temporary and uncertain. )Sloka 19mudha-grahenatmano yat / pidaya kriyate tapahparasyotsadanartham va / tat tamasam udahrtam(That austerity which is performed foolishly, with self torture , or to destroy or injure others , is known as ‘Tamasvic’.)Sloka 20datavyam iti yad danam / diyate 'nupakarinedese

kale ca patre ca / tad danam sattvikam smrtam(Charity should be given as a matter of duty. With this resolve, charity given with no expectation of return, at a proper place and time and to a worthy person, is considered to be ‘sattvic’ . )Sloka 21yat tu pratyupakarartham / phalam uddisya va punahdiyate ca pariklistam / tad danam rajasam smrtam(But that charity which is offered with the expectation of gaining some return or with a desire for fruitive results, or which is given in a grudging mood, is said to be ‘Rajasvic’ . )Sloka 22adesa-kale yad danam / apatrebhyas ca

diyateasat-krtam avajnatam / tat tamasam udahrtam(Charity given at an impure place and an improper time to an unworthy recipient, in a mood of contempt and disrespect, is said to be ‘Tamasvic’.)Slokas 23om tat sad iti nirdeso / brahmanas tri-vidhah smrtahbrahmanas tena vedas ca / yajnas ca vihitah pura

(It is said that ‘om’ , ‘tat’ and ‘sat’ are the three words used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Reality. Brahmanas, the Vedas and ‘yajnas’ were originally created from these three words. )

Slokas 24

tasmad om ity udahrtya / yajna-dana-tapah-kriyahpravarttante vidhanoktah / satatam brahma-vadinam(Therefore, Vedic followers undertaking performances of ‘yajna’, charity and ‘tapasya’ in accordance with the regulations of Vedic scriptures begin always with the sacred syllable ‘OM’ , to attain the Supreme.)Sloka 25tad ity anabhisandhaya / phalam yajna-tapah-kriyahdana-kriyas ca vividhah / kriyante moksa-kanksibhih(Without desiring fruitive results, one should perform various kinds of ‘yajnas’ , ‘tapasya’ and charity with the word ‘tat’. The purpose of such transcendental activities is to get free from material entanglement.)Sloka 26sad-bhave sadhu-bhave ca / sad ity etat prayujyateprasaste karmani tatha / sac-chabdah partha yujyate(O Partha! The word ‘sat’ (eternality) refers to the Supreme Absolute Truth and to the worshippers of the God. In the same way, the word ‘sat’ is also used in connection with auspicious acts.)Sloka 27yajne tapasi dane ca / sthitih sad iti cocyatekarma caiva tad-arthiyam / sad ity

evabhidhiyate(Being steadfast in the performance of ‘yajna’ , ‘tapasya’ and charity, and knowing their real purpose, is called ‘sat’. And activities such as services to please the Supreme God, are also called ‘sat’. )Sloka 28asraddhaya hutam dattam / tapas taptam krtanca yatasad ity ucyate partha / na ca tat pretya no iha(O, Arjuna, anything done as sacrifice, charity or penance without faith in the Supreme God, is impermanent. It is called ‘asat ‘ and is useless both in this life and the next. )Thus ends the Seventeenth Chapter, ‘Sraddha-Traya-Vibhaga Yoga’ of Srimad Bhagavad-gita, which gives pleasure to the bhaktas and is accepted by all saintly persons.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya!!!

 

SriKrishnaDasa Rajeev

 

(To Continue in next part ..)

NB - : GITA chapters 1 to 17 are saved in the Folder, ‘Gita’ in ’s FILES. The concluding chapter (no,18) will be posted in this group , soon .

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