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
17.517.7

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 17.6

Faith shaped by the three guṇas

अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जना: ।

दम्भाहङ्कारसंयुक्ता: कामरागबलान्विता: ॥ ५ ॥

कर्षयन्त: शरीरस्थं भूतग्राममचेतस: ।

मां चैवान्त: शरीरस्थं तान्विद्ध्यासुरनिश्चयान् ॥ ६ ॥

aśāstra-vihitaṁ ghoraṁ

tapyante ye tapo janāḥ

dambhāhaṅkāra-saṁyuktāḥ

kāma-rāga-balānvitāḥ

karṣayantaḥ śarīra-sthaṁ

bhūta-grāmam acetasaḥ

māṁ caivāntaḥ śarīra-sthaṁ

tān viddhy āsura-niścayān

Translation

Those who undergo severe austerities and penances not recommended in the scriptures, performing them out of pride and egoism, who are impelled by lust and attachment, who are foolish and who torture the material elements of the body as well as the Supersoul dwelling within, are to be known as demons.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

Austerity Guided by Scripture

  1. 1Those who practice severe austerities against scripture, driven by pride, lust and attachment, torture the body and the Supersoul within. The verse calls them demons.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that fasting is meant for spiritual progress, not political or social aims. Such unauthorized austerities disobey and insult the Supreme Lord.
  3. 3Follow scriptural guidance rather than inventing your own austerities, and fast for spiritual progress.

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.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 17.6 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

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 17.2Faith shaped by the three guṇasBG 17.3Faith 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 17.6 — 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.