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Chapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith · 28 verses

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Nature & guṇasChapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith
17.617.8

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 17.7

Faith shaped by the three guṇas

आहारस्त्वपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रिय: ।

यज्ञस्तपस्तथा दानं तेषां भेदमिमं श‍ृणु ॥ ७ ॥

āhāras tv api sarvasya

tri-vidho bhavati priyaḥ

yajñas tapas tathā dānaṁ

teṣāṁ bhedam imaṁ śṛṇu

Translation

Even the food each person prefers is of three kinds, according to the three modes of material nature. The same is true of sacrifices, austerities and charity. Now hear of the distinctions between them.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

Understanding the Three Modes

  1. 1Food preferences, sacrifices, austerities and charity differ according to the three modes of material nature.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that wise people recognize these differences rather than treating all such practices as equal.
  3. 3Follow scripture, not guides who claim you can do whatever you like and attain perfection.

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 17.7 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.

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Ask about BG 17.7 — 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.