All chapters
Chapter17
Śraddhā-traya-vibhāga-yoga · 28 verses
The Divisions of Faith
The three modes of faith and acts performed to please the Supreme.
1
Verse notes
Every verse in simple words, from Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Tap a verse to study it in depth.
BG 17.1Faith Without Scriptural Guidance
Study this verse- Arjuna asks whether worship based on imagination rather than scripture is in goodness, passion or ignorance.
- Prabhupāda explains Arjuna’s doubt: can faithful worship outside scriptural rules lead to real knowledge and perfection?
- Consider whether your worship follows scripture or your own imagination.
BG 17.2Three Kinds of Faith
Study this verse- The Supreme Personality of Godhead says that faith is of three kinds: goodness, passion or ignorance, according to one’s acquired modes of nature.
- Prabhupāda explains that past activities shape one’s nature, but following a genuine spiritual master and the scriptures can gradually raise one to goodness.
- Do not rely on blind faith. Think carefully with a genuine spiritual master’s guidance and follow his instructions and the scriptures.
BG 17.3Faith and the Modes
Study this verse- Our faith develops according to the modes of material nature we have acquired.
- Prabhupāda explains that we are originally parts of the Supreme Lord, beyond these modes, but material contact affects our hearts and faith.
- Take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness to become free from material contamination and regain your relationship with the Supreme Lord.
BG 17.4Worship and the Material Modes
Study this verse- People in goodness worship demigods; those in passion worship demons; those in ignorance worship ghosts and spirits.
- Prabhupāda explains that only the Supreme Personality of Godhead is truly worshipable. Those in pure goodness worship Him beyond the material modes.
- Associate with spiritually pure persons to become purified of the material modes.
BG 17.5Austerity Guided by Scripture
Study this verse- Severe austerities against scripture, driven by pride, ego, lust and attachment, harm the body and insult the Supersoul within. Those who perform them are called demons.
- Prabhupāda explains that scripture recommends fasting for spiritual advancement, not for political or social purposes.
- Follow scriptural guidance rather than inventing your own austerities.
BG 17.6Austerity Guided by Scripture
Study this verse- Those who practice severe austerities against scripture, driven by pride, lust and attachment, torture the body and the Supersoul within. The verse calls them demons.
- Prabhupāda explains that fasting is meant for spiritual progress, not political or social aims. Such unauthorized austerities disobey and insult the Supreme Lord.
- Follow scriptural guidance rather than inventing your own austerities, and fast for spiritual progress.
BG 17.7Understanding the Three Modes
Study this verse- Food preferences, sacrifices, austerities and charity differ according to the three modes of material nature.
- Prabhupāda explains that wise people recognize these differences rather than treating all such practices as equal.
- Follow scripture, not guides who claim you can do whatever you like and attain perfection.
BG 17.8Foods in Goodness
Study this verse- Foods dear to those in goodness lengthen life, purify existence, and give strength, health, happiness, and satisfaction.
- These foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart.
- Choose wholesome foods that support health and satisfaction.
BG 17.9Foods in the Mode of Passion
Study this verse- Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry and burning are dear to those in passion.
- These foods cause distress, misery and disease.
- When choosing food, keep these harmful effects in mind.
BG 17.10Food and Spiritual Purity
Study this verse- Food prepared over three hours earlier, tasteless or rotten food, remnants, and untouchable things are dear to those in the mode of darkness.
- Prabhupāda explains that prasādam—food offered to the Lord—is transcendental and is not subject to the three-hour limit.
- Prepare food according to scripture and offer it to the Supreme Lord with love and devotion.
BG 17.11Sacrifice in Goodness
Study this verse- Sacrifice is in goodness when done according to scripture, as a duty, without wanting a reward.
- Prabhupāda explains that worship should offer respect to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, not seek material benefit.
- Visit a temple or church as a duty, offering respect, flowers and food without seeking material gain.
BG 17.12Sacrifice in the Mode of Passion
Study this verse- Sacrifice done for material benefit or out of pride is in the mode of passion.
- Prabhupāda explains that this includes rituals done to reach heaven or gain material benefits in this world.
- Examine whether your reason for performing sacrifice is material gain or pride.
BG 17.13Sacrifice in Ignorance
Study this verse- Sacrifice without following scripture, sharing prasādam (spiritual food), chanting Vedic hymns, paying priests, and having faith is in the mode of ignorance.
- Prabhupāda explains that faith in ignorance is really faithlessness. Religious shows meant to gain money for recreation produce a demoniac mentality and do not benefit society.
- Follow scripture and worship with faith, rather than using worship to make money for recreation.
BG 17.14Austerity of the Body
Study this verse- Bodily austerity includes worship of the Supreme Lord, brāhmaṇas, the spiritual master and elders, along with cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and nonviolence.
- Prabhupāda explains that cleanliness is both outer and inner, behavior should follow scripture, and celibacy means no sex outside marriage.
- Practice simple behavior and give proper respect to God, your spiritual master, your parents and those who know Vedic teachings.
BG 17.15Austerity of Speech
Study this verse- Speak truthful, pleasing, helpful words that do not disturb others, and regularly recite Vedic literature.
- Prabhupāda explains that spiritual talk should be supported by scripture and pleasant to hear. Such discussion can uplift society.
- Avoid nonsense talk, support spiritual statements with scripture, and study Vedic literature regularly.
BG 17.16Austerities of the Mind
Study this verse- Satisfaction, simplicity, gravity, self-control and purification of one’s existence are austerities of the mind.
- Prabhupāda explains that satisfaction comes only by turning the mind away from sense enjoyment. Purifying one’s nature means becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious.
- Read Vedic literature, think of others’ welfare and be straightforward in your dealings.
BG 17.17Austerity in Goodness
Study this verse- Threefold austerity done with transcendental faith, only for the Supreme and without seeking material benefits, is in goodness.
- The purpose is to serve the Supreme, not to gain material rewards.
- Practice austerity with faith, keeping the Supreme as your purpose.
BG 17.18Penance in the Mode of Passion
Study this verse- Penance done out of pride to gain respect, honor and worship is in the mode of passion.
- Prabhupāda explains that using penance to arrange worship and gifts from others brings only temporary results.
- Avoid performing penance just to attract attention and receive honor from others.
BG 17.19Penance in Ignorance
Study this verse- Foolish penance involving self-torture or harm to others is in the mode of ignorance.
- Hiraṇyakaśipu performed penance to become immortal, but the Supreme Personality of Godhead ultimately killed him.
- Avoid penance meant to harm yourself or others, or to achieve something impossible.
BG 17.20Charity in Goodness
Study this verse- Charity is in goodness when given out of duty, without expecting return, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person.
- Prabhupāda explains that charity should support spiritual activities and spiritual perfection, rather than be given indiscriminately.
- Choose a worthy recipient engaged in spiritual activities, and give without expecting anything back.
BG 17.21Charity in the Mode of Passion
Study this verse- Charity given expecting a return, seeking rewards, or with reluctance is in the mode of passion.
- Prabhupāda explains that giving to reach heaven, regretting the expense, or giving under obligation is charity in passion.
- Avoid supporting sense gratification through charity. Vedic scripture recommends only charity in the mode of goodness.
BG 17.22Charity in Ignorance
Study this verse- Charity at an impure place or improper time, to unworthy people, or without care and respect is in the mode of ignorance.
- Prabhupāda explains that donations for intoxication and gambling encourage sinful people rather than bring benefit.
- Even when giving to a suitable person, give with attention and respect.
BG 17.23Oṁ Tat Sat
Study this verse- Since creation began, oṁ tat sat has indicated the Supreme Absolute Truth. Brāhmaṇas used these words in Vedic hymns and sacrifices to satisfy the Supreme.
- Prabhupāda explains that penance, charity and sacrifice bring spiritual progress when offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Follow scriptural rules and perform charity, sacrifice and penance in goodness, aiming to satisfy the Supreme Lord.
BG 17.24Begin with Oṁ
Study this verse- Transcendentalists begin sacrifice, charity and penance with oṁ, following scripture to attain the Supreme.
- Prabhupāda explains that Viṣṇu’s lotus feet are the supreme devotional platform, and acting for the Supreme Personality of Godhead perfects all activity.
- Perform your activities on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
BG 17.25Act Without Material Gain
Study this verse- Perform sacrifice, penance and charity with the word tat, without seeking rewards, to become free from material entanglement.
- Prabhupāda explains that the ultimate gain is to return to the spiritual kingdom, back home, back to Godhead.
- Practice sacrifice, penance and charity for spiritual progress, not material gain.
BG 17.26Sat and Devotional Service
Study this verse- Sat indicates the Absolute Truth, the goal of devotional sacrifice. It also describes those who perform such sacrifice and works done to please the Supreme Person.
- Prabhupāda explains that oṁ tat sat is recommended in prescribed purifying activities, whose ultimate aim is liberation.
- Serve the Lord through cooking, helping in His temple, or spreading His glories.
BG 17.27Acting to Please the Supreme
Study this verse- Sat names the Absolute Truth, the devotional sacrificer, and sacrifice, penance and charity done to please the Supreme Person.
- Prabhupāda explains that oṁ tat sat is used to perfect activities, and association with devotees makes spiritual knowledge clear.
- Serve the Lord by cooking, helping in His temple or sharing His glories.
BG 17.28Act with Faith in Kṛṣṇa
Study this verse- Sacrifice, charity, or penance without faith in the Supreme is called asat: impermanent and useless in this life and the next.
- Prabhupāda explains that everything should be done for Kṛṣṇa. Faith in Him matures into love of God, life's ultimate goal.
- Begin practicing Kṛṣṇa consciousness under the guidance of a genuine spiritual master.
2
Stories
The Mahābhārata background, and stories Prabhupāda tells in his purports. Tap one to read it.