Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
The Three Divisions of Faith
Arjuna asks about those who worship with faith but outside scriptural rule. Krishna answers that faith itself takes three forms according to a person's nature, and then applies the same threefold analysis to everything else: the food we prefer, the sacrifices we make, the austerities we practise, and the gifts we give. Charity given at the right place and time to a worthy person, expecting nothing back, is sattvic. The chapter ends with the sacred words Om Tat Sat.
All 28 verses of Chapter 17
Verse 17.1
अर्जुन उवाच । ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः । तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः ॥
arjuna uvāca ye śāstra-vidhim utsṛjya yajante śraddhayānvitāḥ teṣāṁ niṣṭhā tu kā kṛṣṇa sattvam āho rajas tamaḥ
Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is the state of those who worship with faith but disregard the scriptural injunctions — is it sattva, rajas, or tamas?
Life lesson: If your own faith or practice doesn't follow a strict rulebook, that's okay — just stay curious about what's actually shaping it.
Read verse 17.1 in full →Verse 17.2
श्रीभगवानुवाच । त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा । सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca tri-vidhā bhavati śraddhā dehināṁ sā svabhāva-jā sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tāṁ śṛṇu
The Blessed Lord said: The faith of embodied beings is of three kinds, born of their own nature — sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic; hear about it.
Life lesson: Notice today what shapes your own faith and instincts — understanding that pattern helps you refine it over time.
Read verse 17.2 in full →Verse 17.3
सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत । श्रद्धामयोऽयं पुरुषो यो यच्छ्रद्धः स एव सः ॥
sattvānurūpā sarvasya śraddhā bhavati bhārata śraddhā-mayo 'yaṁ puruṣo yo yac-chraddhaḥ sa eva saḥ
The faith of every person conforms to the nature of their mind, O Bharata. A person is made of their faith; whatever faith they hold, that is what they truly are.
Life lesson: Take a moment today to notice what you truly place your faith in — it's quietly shaping the person you're becoming.
Read verse 17.3 in full →Verse 17.4
यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः । प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः ॥
yajante sāttvikā devān yakṣa-rakṣāṁsi rājasāḥ pretān bhūta-gaṇāṁś cānye yajante tāmasā janāḥ
Those in sattva worship the gods; those in rajas worship yakshas and rakshasas; those in tamas worship ghosts and spirits.
Life lesson: Notice today what or who you find yourself admiring most — it says something quiet about your inner state.
Read verse 17.4 in full →Verse 17.5
अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः । दम्भाहङ्कारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः ॥
aśāstra-vihitaṁ ghoraṁ tapyante ye tapo janāḥ dambhāhaṅkāra-saṁyuktāḥ kāma-rāga-balānvitāḥ
Those who practice severe austerities not sanctioned by scripture, driven by hypocrisy and ego, propelled by desire and attachment—
Life lesson: If you're pushing yourself hard in some practice today, check whether it's genuine discipline or ego seeking admiration.
Read verse 17.5 in full →Verse 17.6
कर्षयन्तः शरीरस्थं भूतग्राममचेतसः । मां चैवान्तःशरीरस्थं तान्विद्ध्यासुरनिश्चयान् ॥
karṣayantaḥ śarīra-sthaṁ bhūta-grāmam acetasaḥ māṁ caivāntaḥ śarīra-sthaṁ tān viddhy āsura-niścayān
Torturing the elements that make up the body, and Me who dwells within, senselessly — know these to be of demoniac resolve.
Life lesson: Treat your body with basic kindness today — real spiritual growth doesn't require punishing yourself.
Read verse 17.6 in full →Verse 17.7
आहारस्त्वपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रियः । यज्ञस्तपस्तथा दानं तेषां भेदमिमं शृणु ॥
āhāras tv api sarvasya tri-vidho bhavati priyaḥ yajñas tapas tathā dānaṁ teṣāṁ bhedam imaṁ śṛṇu
Even the food that everyone prefers is of three kinds, as are sacrifice, austerity, and charity. Hear now the distinctions among them.
Life lesson: Notice today how even your food choices reflect your inner state — small daily habits quietly shape who you are.
Read verse 17.7 in full →Verse 17.8
आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः । रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः ॥
āyuḥ-sattva-balārogya-sukha-prīti-vivardhanāḥ rasyāḥ snigdhāḥ sthirā hṛdyā āhārāḥ sāttvika-priyāḥ
Foods that increase life, vitality, strength, health, happiness, and satisfaction, and that are juicy, smooth, substantial, and naturally pleasing, are dear to those in goodness.
Life lesson: Choose today's meals with a little more care — what nourishes your body quietly nourishes your mind as well.
Read verse 17.8 in full →Verse 17.9
कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिनः । आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दुःखशोकामयप्रदाः ॥
kaṭv-amla-lavaṇāty-uṣṇa-tīkṣṇa-rūkṣa-vidāhinaḥ āhārā rājasasyeṣṭā duḥkha-śokāmaya-pradāḥ
Foods that are bitter, sour, salty, very hot, pungent, dry, and burning are dear to those in rajas, and cause pain, grief, and disease.
Life lesson: Notice today how the food you eat affects your calm — small choices there can genuinely shift your state of mind.
Read verse 17.9 in full →Verse 17.10
यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् । उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम् ॥
yāta-yāmaṁ gata-rasaṁ pūti paryuṣitaṁ ca yat ucchiṣṭam api cāmedhyaṁ bhojanaṁ tāmasa-priyam
Food that is stale, tasteless, putrid, spoiled, and impure is dear to those in tamas.
Life lesson: Choose something fresh and simple to eat today — small acts of care for your body support clarity of mind.
Read verse 17.10 in full →Verse 17.11
अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते । यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः ॥
aphalākāṅkṣibhir yajño vidhi-dṛṣṭo ya ijyate yaṣṭavyam eveti manaḥ samādhāya sa sāttvikaḥ
A sacrifice performed according to scriptural guidance, without desire for reward, with the mind fixed only on the duty to offer it, is sattvic.
Life lesson: Do one good thing today purely because it's right, without checking what it might earn you in return.
Read verse 17.11 in full →Verse 17.12
अभिसन्धाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत् । इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम् ॥
abhisandhāya tu phalaṁ dambhārtham api caiva yat ijyate bharata-śreṣṭha taṁ yajñaṁ viddhi rājasam
But that sacrifice performed with an eye toward reward, or for the sake of show, O best of the Bharatas, know to be rajasic.
Life lesson: Ask yourself today: would I still do this good act if no one ever found out about it?
Read verse 17.12 in full →Verse 17.13
विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम् । श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते ॥
vidhi-hīnam asṛṣṭānnaṁ mantra-hīnam adakṣiṇam śraddhā-virahitaṁ yajñaṁ tāmasaṁ paricakṣate
A sacrifice devoid of scriptural procedure, without offering food, without sacred chants, without gifts, and lacking faith, is called tamasic.
Life lesson: Whatever ritual or routine you do today, bring real presence to it — that's what makes it meaningful, not just going through the motions.
Read verse 17.13 in full →Verse 17.14
देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम् । ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते ॥
deva-dvija-guru-prājña-pūjanaṁ śaucam ārjavam brahmacaryam ahiṁsā ca śārīraṁ tapa ucyate
Worship of the divine, the wise, one's teachers, and elders; along with cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy, and non-violence — this is called austerity of the body.
Life lesson: Practice bodily discipline today as an act of respect and care — cleanliness and gentleness, not harshness toward yourself.
Read verse 17.14 in full →Verse 17.15
अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् । स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते ॥
anudvega-karaṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ ca yat svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva vāṅ-mayaṁ tapa ucyate
Speech that causes no distress, that is truthful, pleasant, and beneficial, along with regular recitation of scripture — this is called austerity of speech.
Life lesson: Before speaking today, pause and check if your words are truthful, kind, and helpful — that small pause is a real practice.
Read verse 17.15 in full →Verse 17.16
मनः प्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः । भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते ॥
manaḥ-prasādaḥ saumyatvaṁ maunam ātma-vinigrahaḥ bhāva-saṁśuddhir ity etat tapo mānasam ucyate
Serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, self-restraint, and purity of intention — this is called austerity of the mind.
Life lesson: Practice mental austerity today the gentle way — a little more calm, a little more kindness, a little more silence.
Read verse 17.16 in full →Verse 17.17
श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः । अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते ॥
śraddhayā parayā taptaṁ tapas tat tri-vidhaṁ naraiḥ aphalākāṅkṣibhir yuktaiḥ sāttvikaṁ paricakṣate
This threefold austerity, practiced with supreme faith by those without desire for reward, is called sattvic.
Life lesson: Whatever discipline you practice today — of body, speech, or mind — do it with sincere faith, not a hidden agenda.
Read verse 17.17 in full →Verse 17.18
सत्कारमानपूजार्थं तपो दम्भेन चैव यत् । क्रियते तदिह प्रोक्तं राजसं चलमध्रुवम् ॥
satkāra-māna-pūjārthaṁ tapo dambhena caiva yat kriyate tad iha proktaṁ rājasaṁ calam adhruvam
Austerity performed for the sake of respect, honor, and reverence, and with ostentation, is called rajasic here; it is unstable and impermanent.
Life lesson: Check today whether your effort in something would hold up even if no one ever noticed or praised it.
Read verse 17.18 in full →Verse 17.19
मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः । परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥
mūḍha-grāheṇātmano yat pīḍayā kriyate tapaḥ parasyotsādanārthaṁ vā tat tāmasam udāhṛtam
Austerity performed with deluded understanding, through self-torture, or to harm another, is declared to be tamasic.
Life lesson: If a practice today is hurting you or someone else, that's a sign to stop and rethink it, not push harder.
Read verse 17.19 in full →Verse 17.20
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे । देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ॥
dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyate 'nupakāriṇe deśe kāle ca pātre ca tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛtam
Charity given simply because it is right to give, to one who cannot repay, at the proper place and time, and to a deserving person — this is considered charity in the mode of goodness.
Life lesson: Give something today — time, help, or kindness — without expecting anything back, not even a thank you.
Read verse 17.20 in full →Verse 17.21
यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः । दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥
yat tu pratyupakārārthaṁ phalam uddiśya vā punaḥ dīyate ca parikliṣṭaṁ tad dānaṁ rājasaṁ smṛtam
But charity given reluctantly, with the hope of a return or in expectation of a reward, is considered to be in the mode of passion.
Life lesson: When you give something today, gently check your own motive — real generosity doesn't keep score.
Read verse 17.21 in full →Verse 17.22
अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते । असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥
adeśa-kāle yad dānam apātrebhyaś ca dīyate asat-kṛtam avajñātaṁ tat tāmasam udāhṛtam
Charity given at the wrong place or time, to unworthy recipients, without respect or with contempt, is said to be tamasic.
Life lesson: When you give something today — time, money, or help — give it with genuine respect, not as an afterthought.
Read verse 17.22 in full →Verse 17.23
ॐ तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः । ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा ॥
oṁ tat sad iti nirdeśo brahmaṇas tri-vidhaḥ smṛtaḥ brāhmaṇās tena vedāś ca yajñāś ca vihitāḥ purā
"Om Tat Sat" is remembered as the threefold designation of Brahman; by this, in ancient times, the priests, the Vedas, and sacrifices were ordained.
Life lesson: Let a simple, sincere phrase of prayer today carry more weight than you'd expect — small words spoken truly can hold a lot.
Read verse 17.23 in full →Verse 17.24
तस्माद् ॐ इत्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः । प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ॥
tasmād oṁ ity udāhṛtya yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ pravartante vidhānoktāḥ satataṁ brahma-vādinām
Therefore, the acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity prescribed by scripture always begin with the utterance of Om, for those devoted to Brahman.
Life lesson: Begin something important today with a small moment of intention-setting — it shapes everything that follows.
Read verse 17.24 in full →Verse 17.25
तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः । दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः ॥
tad ity anabhisandhāya phalaṁ yajña-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ dāna-kriyāś ca vividhāḥ kriyante mokṣa-kāṅkṣibhiḥ
With the utterance of "Tat," and without seeking any reward, various acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity are performed by those desiring liberation.
Life lesson: Dedicate one good act today to something larger than your own gain — notice how that shifts your feeling about it.
Read verse 17.25 in full →Verse 17.26
सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते । प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते ॥
sad-bhāve sādhu-bhāve ca sad ity etat prayujyate praśaste karmaṇi tathā sac-chabdaḥ pārtha yujyate
The word "Sat" is used to denote reality and goodness; and, O Partha, it is also applied to praiseworthy action.
Life lesson: When you do something genuinely good today, notice how it also feels simply true and right — those three tend to align.
Read verse 17.26 in full →Verse 17.27
यज्ञे तपसि दाने च स्थितिः सदिति चोच्यते । कर्म चैव तदर्थीयं सदित्येवाभिधीयते ॥
yajñe tapasi dāne ca sthitiḥ sad iti cocyate karma caiva tad-arthīyaṁ sad ity evābhidhīyate
Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and charity is also called "Sat"; and any action performed for their sake is likewise termed "Sat."
Life lesson: Keep showing up steadily for one small good practice today — that consistency itself is a form of integrity.
Read verse 17.27 in full →Verse 17.28
अश्रद्धया हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत् । असदित्युच्यते पार्थ न च तत्प्रेत्य नो इह ॥
aśraddhayā hutaṁ dattaṁ tapas taptaṁ kṛtaṁ ca yat asad ity ucyate pārtha na ca tat pretya no iha
O Partha, whatever is sacrificed, given, or done as austerity without faith, is called Asat, and it is of no value here or hereafter.
Life lesson: Whatever you do today, bring genuine faith and presence to it — a half-hearted good deed loses much of its real worth.
Read verse 17.28 in full →