Step 4 of 7 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

  1. 1Tap a chapter, then a verse
  2. 2Read what it means
  3. 3Try the practice
700 verses37 detailed
Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith · 28 verses

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

Nature & guṇasChapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith
17.217.4

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 17.3

Faith shaped by the three guṇas

सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत ।

श्रद्धामयोऽयं पुरुषो यो यच्छ्रद्ध: स एव स: ॥ ३ ॥

sattvānurūpā sarvasya

śraddhā bhavati bhārata

śraddhā-mayo ’yaṁ puruṣo

yo yac-chraddhaḥ sa eva saḥ

Translation

O son of Bharata, according to one’s existence under the various modes of nature, one evolves a particular kind of faith. The living being is said to be of a particular faith according to the modes he has acquired.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

Faith and the Modes

  1. 1Our faith develops according to the modes of material nature we have acquired.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that we are originally parts of the Supreme Lord, beyond these modes, but material contact affects our hearts and faith.
  3. 3Take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness to become free from material contamination and regain your relationship with the Supreme Lord.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 17, The Divisions of Faith: faith shaped by the three guṇas.

What it teaches

Theme summary

The modes of nature condition behavior.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Faith

Faith corresponds to one’s nature shaped by the modes.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 17.3 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

4

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 4.39Spiritual master, knowledge and removal of doubtBG 6.47The highest yogi is devotedBG 17.2Faith shaped by the three guṇasBG 17.4Faith shaped by the three guṇasBG 7.14Crossing beyond māyā

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

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 17.3 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

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.