Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17
Author Kedi Ganapati
Shloka 17:1
ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः ।
तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः ॥ १७:१ ॥
ye shastra-vidhim utsrijya yajante shraddhayanvitah
tesham nishtha tu ka krishna sattvam aho rajas tamah
Translation
Arjuna said: Those who, setting aside the injunctions of the scriptures, worship with sincere faith—what is the nature of their faith, O Krishna? Is it characterized by Sattva (goodness), Rajas (passion), or Tamas (ignorance)?
Conversation
Shloka 17:2
त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा ।
सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु ॥ १७:२ ॥
tri-vidha bhavati shraddha dehinam sa svabhava-ja
sattviki rajasi chaiva tamasi cheti tam shrinu
Translation
The Supreme Lord said: The faith of embodied beings is of three kinds, born of their inherent nature—Sattvic (goodness), Rajasic (passion), and Tamasic (ignorance). Hear from Me about these distinctions.
Conversation
Shloka 17:3
श्रद्धामयोऽयं पुरुषो यो यच्छ्रद्धः स एव सः ॥ १७:३ ॥
shraddhamayo 'yam purusho yo yac-chraddhah sa eva sah
Translation
O Bharata (Arjuna), every person's faith corresponds to their inner nature. A person is shaped by their faith; whatever one's faith is, that indeed defines who they are.
Conversation
Shloka 17:4
प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः ॥ १७:४ ॥
pretan bhuta-ganamsh chanye yajante tamasa janah
Translation
Those of Sattvic nature worship the gods; those of Rajasic nature worship yakshas and rakshasas; while those of Tamasic nature worship ghosts, spirits, and other lower beings.
Conversation
Shloka 17:5
दम्भाहंकारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः ॥ १७:५ ॥
dambhahankara-samyuktah kama-raga-balanvitah
Translation
Those who perform severe austerities not prescribed by the scriptures, motivated by hypocrisy, pride, selfish desires, attachment, and arrogance, engage in practices contrary to true spiritual wisdom.
Conversation
Shloka 17:6
मां चैवान्तःशरीरस्थं तान्विद्ध्यासुरनिश्चयान् ॥ १७:६ ॥
mam chaivantah-sharira-stham tan viddhy asura-nishchayan
Translation
By torturing the elements of the body and also the Supreme Lord dwelling within it, such ignorant persons should be understood to possess a demoniac determination.
Conversation
Shloka 17:7
यज्ञस्तपस्तथा दानं तेषां भेदमिमं शृणु ॥ १७:७ ॥
yajnas tapas tatha danam tesham bhedam imam shrinu
Translation
Even the food preferred by all beings is of three kinds. Likewise, sacrifice, austerity, and charity are also of three kinds. Hear from Me about these distinctions.
Conversation
Shloka 17:8
रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहारा सात्त्विकप्रियाः ॥ १७:८ ॥
rasyah snigdhah sthira hridya aharah sattvika-priyah
Translation
Foods that promote longevity, purity, strength, health, happiness, and satisfaction; that are juicy, nourishing, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart—are dear to those of Sattvic nature.
Conversation
Shloka 17:9
आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दुःखशोकामयप्रदाः ॥ १७:९ ॥
ahara rajasasyeshta duhkha-shokamaya-pradah
Translation
Foods that are excessively bitter, sour, salty, very hot, pungent, dry, and burning are preferred by those of Rajasic nature. Such foods produce pain, sorrow, and disease.
Conversation
Shloka 17:10
उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम् ॥ १७:१० ॥
ucchishtam api chamedhyam bhojanam tamasa-priyam
Translation
Food that is stale, tasteless, putrid, decomposed, leftover, and impure is dear to those of Tamasic nature. It diminishes physical vitality and mental clarity while fostering ignorance.
Conversation
Shloka 17:11
यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः ॥ १७:११ ॥
yashtavyam eveti manah samadhaya sa sattvikah
Translation
A sacrifice performed according to the scriptural injunctions, without desire for reward, and with the firm conviction that it is one's duty, is considered Sattvic.
Conversation
Shloka 17:12
इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम् ॥ १७:१२ ॥
ijyate bharata-shreshtha tam yajñam viddhi rajasam
Translation
O best of the Bharatas, the sacrifice performed with the expectation of reward or for the sake of prestige and display should be understood as Rajasic.
Conversation
Shloka 17:13
श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते ॥ १७:१३ ॥
shraddha-virahitam yajñam tamasam parichakshate
Translation
A sacrifice performed without following scriptural rules, without offering sanctified food, without sacred chants, without proper offerings, and without faith is declared to be Tamasic.
Conversation
Shloka 17:14
ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते ॥ १७:१४ ॥
brahmacharyam ahimsa cha shariram tapa uchyate
Translation
Worship of the Divine, the learned, the spiritual teacher, and the wise; along with purity, simplicity, celibacy (or self-restraint), and non-violence—these constitute austerity of the body.
Conversation
Shloka 17:15
स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते ॥ १७:१५ ॥
svadhyayabhyasanam chaiva vangmayam tapa uchyate
Translation
Speech that causes no distress, is truthful, pleasant, beneficial, and accompanied by regular recitation and study of the sacred scriptures is known as austerity of speech.
Conversation
Shloka 17:16
भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते ॥ १७:१६ ॥
bhava-samshuddhir ity etat tapo manasam uchyate
Translation
Serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, self-control, and purity of intention are regarded as austerity of the mind.
Conversation
Shloka 17:17
अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते ॥ १७:१७ ॥
aphala-kankshibhir yuktaih sattvikam parichakshate
Translation
These three forms of austerity, practiced with supreme faith by those who seek no personal reward, are described as Sattvic austerity.
Conversation
Shloka 17:18
क्रियते तदिह प्रोक्तं राजसं चलमध्रुवम् ॥ १७:१८ ॥
kriyate tad iha proktam rajasam chalam adhruvam
Translation
Austerity performed for gaining respect, honor, recognition, or admiration, and practiced with hypocrisy, is said to be Rajasic. Its results are temporary and uncertain.
Conversation
Shloka 17:19
परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥ १७:१९ ॥
parasyotsadanartham va tat tamasam udahritam
Translation
Austerity performed out of delusion, involving self-torture or intended to harm others, is declared to be Tamasic.
Conversation
Shloka 17:20
देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ॥ १७:२० ॥
deshe kale cha patre cha tad danam sattvikam smritam
Translation
Charity given with the conviction that it ought to be given, to a worthy recipient, at the proper place and time, without expecting anything in return, is remembered as Sattvic charity.
Conversation
Shloka 17:21
दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥ १७:२१ ॥
diyate cha pariklishtam tad danam rajasam smritam
Translation
Charity that is given with the expectation of receiving something in return, or with the desire for reward, and offered reluctantly or unwillingly, is regarded as Rajasic charity.
Conversation
Shloka 17:22
असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥ १७:२२ ॥
asatkritam avajnatam tat tamasam udahritam
Translation
Charity given at an improper place or time, to an unworthy recipient, without respect, courtesy, or sincere intention, is declared to be Tamasic charity.
Conversation
Shloka 17:23
ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा ॥ १७:२३ ॥
brahmanas tena vedash cha yajñash cha vihitah pura
Translation
Om, Tat, and Sat—these three sacred expressions are recognized as designations of the Supreme Reality. Through them, the Brahmanas, the Vedas, and sacrificial rites were established in ancient times.
Conversation
Shloka 17:24
प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ॥ १७:२४ ॥
pravartante vidhanoktah satatam brahma-vadinam
Translation
Therefore, those who seek the Supreme begin acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity prescribed in the scriptures by uttering "Om," dedicating their actions to the Divine.
Conversation
Shloka 17:25
दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः ॥ १७:२५ ॥
dana-kriyash cha vividhah kriyante moksha-kankshibhih
Translation
Uttering "Tat," seekers of liberation perform various acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity without attachment to their fruits, offering them entirely to the Supreme.
Conversation
Shloka 17:26
प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते ॥ १७:२६ ॥
prashaste karmani tatha sach-chabdah partha yujyate
Translation
O Partha (Arjuna), the word "Sat" is used to signify truth, goodness, and virtue. It also denotes all noble and righteous actions performed with sincerity.
Conversation
Shloka 17:27
कर्म चैव तदर्थीयं सदित्येवाभिधीयते ॥ १७:२७ ॥
karma chaiva tad-arthiyam sad ity evabhidhiyate
Translation
Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and charity is called "Sat." Likewise, every action performed for the sake of the Supreme Truth is also known as "Sat."
Conversation
Shloka 17:28
असदित्युच्यते पार्थ न च तत्प्रेत्य नो इह ॥ १७:२८ ॥
asat ity uchyate partha na cha tat pretya no iha
Translation
O Partha (Arjuna), whatever sacrifice is offered, charity is given, austerity is practiced, or any action is performed without faith is called "Asat" (unreal or devoid of spiritual value). Such actions yield no lasting benefit either in this world or in the life to come.
Conversation
Note: Every interpretation published here is the original work of Kedi Ganapati alone. No other author, commentator, or interpreter has contributed to these explanations. These interpretations are based on Kedi Ganapati's own understanding of the Bhagavad Gita's verses through personal study, research, wisdom, and experience.
