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Chapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith · 28 verses

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Character & ethicsChapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith
17.1617.18

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 17.17

Austerities of body, speech and mind

श्रद्धया परया तप्‍तं तपस्तत्‍त्रिविधं नरै: ।

अफलाकाङ्‌‍क्षिभिर्युक्तै: सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते ॥ १७ ॥

śraddhayā parayā taptaṁ

tapas tat tri-vidhaṁ naraiḥ

aphalākāṅkṣibhir yuktaiḥ

sāttvikaṁ paricakṣate

Translation

This threefold austerity, performed with transcendental faith by men not expecting material benefits but engaged only for the sake of the Supreme, is called austerity in goodness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Austerity in Goodness

  1. 1Threefold austerity done with transcendental faith, only for the Supreme and without seeking material benefits, is in goodness.
  2. 2The purpose is to serve the Supreme, not to gain material rewards.
  3. 3Practice austerity with faith, keeping the Supreme as your purpose.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 17, The Divisions of Faith: austerities of body, speech and mind.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Cultivate divine qualities in character.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: daivī-sampat, dharma.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 17.17 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to character & ethics?

Practice

Choose one virtue to practice consciously today.

4

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 17 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 17.14Austerities of body, speech and mindBG 17.15Austerities of body, speech and mindBG 12.13Qualities of a devotee dear to KrishnaBG 16.21Lust, anger and greed lead toward degradation.

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.