✦ Shlokas ✦
17:1 17:2 17:3 17:4 17:5 17:6 17:7 17:8 17:9 17:10 17:11 17:12 17:13 17:14 17:15 17:16 17:17 17:18 17:19 17:20 17:21 17:22 17:23 17:24 17:25 17:26 17:27 17:28
Shloka 17:1
अर्जुन उवाच - ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः । तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः ॥ १७:१ ॥
arjuna uvacha 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)?
Commentary
Shloka 17:2
श्रीभगवानुवाच - त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा । सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु ॥ १७:२ ॥
shri-bhagavan uvacha 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:3
सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत । श्रद्धामयोऽयं पुरुषो यो यच्छ्रद्धः स एव सः ॥ १७:३ ॥
sattvanurupa sarvasya shraddha bhavati bharata 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:4
यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः । प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः ॥ १७:४ ॥
yajante sattvika devan yaksha-rakshamsi rajasah 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:5
अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ye तपो जनाः । दम्भाहंकारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः ॥ १७:५ ॥
ashastra-vihitam ghoram tapyante ye tapo janah 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:6
कर्शयन्तः शरीरस्थं भूतग्राममचेतसः । मां चैवान्तःशरीरस्थं तान्विद्ध्यासुरनिश्चयान् ॥ १७:६ ॥
karshayantas sharira-stham bhuta-gramam achetasah 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:7
आहारस्त्वपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रियः । यज्ञस्तपस्तथा दानं तेषां भेदमिमं शृणु ॥ १७:७ ॥
ahara-stv api sarvasya tri-vidho bhavati priyah 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:8
आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः । रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहारा सात्त्विकप्रियाः ॥ १७:८ ॥
ayuh-sattva-bala-arogya-sukha-priti-vivardhanah 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:9
कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिनः । आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दुःखशोकामयप्रदाः ॥ १७:९ ॥
katv-amla-lavanaty-ushna-tikshna-ruksha-vidahinah 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:10
यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् । उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम् ॥ १७:१० ॥
yata-yamam gata-rasam puti paryushitam cha yat 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:11
अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते । यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः ॥ १७:११ ॥
aphala-kankshibhir yajño vidhi-drishto ya ijyate 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:12
अभिसन्धाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत् । इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम् ॥ १७:१२ ॥
abhisandhaya tu phalam dambhartham api chaiva yat 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:13
विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम् । श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते ॥ १७:१३ ॥
vidhi-hinam asrishtannam mantra-hinam adakshinam 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:14
देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम् । ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते ॥ १७:१४ ॥
deva-dvija-guru-prajna-pujanam shaucham arjavam 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:15
अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् । स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते ॥ १७:१५ ॥
anudvega-karam vakyam satyam priya-hitam cha yat 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:16
मनःप्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः । भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते ॥ १७:१६ ॥
manah-prasadah saumyatvam maunam atma-vinigrahah 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:17
श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः । अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते ॥ १७:१७ ॥
shraddhaya paraya taptam tapas tat tri-vidham naraih 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:18
सत्कारमानपूजार्थं तपो दम्भेन चैव यत् । क्रियते तदिह प्रोक्तं राजसं चलमध्रुवम् ॥ १७:१८ ॥
satkara-mana-pujartham tapo dambhena chaiva yat 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:19
मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः । परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥ १७:१९ ॥
mudha-grahena atmano yat pidaya kriyate tapah parasyotsadanartham va tat tamasam udahritam
Translation
Austerity performed out of delusion, involving self-torture or intended to harm others, is declared to be Tamasic.
Commentary
Shloka 17:20
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
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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:21
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
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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:22
अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते । असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥ १७:२२ ॥
adesha-kale yad danam apatrebhyash cha diyate 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:23
तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः । ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा ॥ १७:२३ ॥
om tat sad iti nirdesho brahmanas tri-vidhah smritah 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:24
तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः । प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ॥ १७:२४ ॥
tasmad om ity udahritya yajña-dana-tapah-kriyah 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:25
तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः । दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः ॥ १७:२५ ॥
tad ity anabhisandhaya phalam yajña-tapah-kriyah 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:26
सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते । प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते ॥ १७:२६ ॥
sad-bhave sadhu-bhave cha sad ity etat prayujyate 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.
Commentary
Shloka 17:27
यज्ञे तपसि दाने च स्थितिः सदिति चोच्यते । कर्म चैव तदर्थीयं सदित्येवाभिधीयते ॥ १७:२७ ॥
yajñe tapasi dane cha sthitih sad iti chochyate 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.”
Commentary
Shloka 17:28
अश्रद्धया हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत् । असदित्युच्यते पार्थ न च तत्प्रेत्य नो इह ॥ १७:२८ ॥
ashraddhaya hutam dattam tapas taptam kritam cha yat 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.
Commentary
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.