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Chapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith · 28 verses

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Nature & guṇasChapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith
17.717.9

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 17.8

Food and sacrifice in the modes

आयु:सत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धना: ।

रस्या: स्‍निग्धा: स्थिरा हृद्या आहारा: सात्त्विकप्रिया: ॥ ८ ॥

āyuḥ-sattva-balārogya-

sukha-prīti-vivardhanāḥ

rasyāḥ snigdhāḥ sthirā hṛdyā

āhārāḥ sāttvika-priyāḥ

Translation

Foods dear to those in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify one’s existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

Foods in Goodness

  1. 1Foods dear to those in goodness lengthen life, purify existence, and give strength, health, happiness, and satisfaction.
  2. 2These foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart.
  3. 3Choose wholesome foods that support health and satisfaction.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 17, The Divisions of Faith: food and sacrifice in the modes.

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 17.8 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 17.9Food and sacrifice in the modesBG 17.10Food and sacrifice in the modesBG 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 17.8 — 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.