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

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

Nature & guṇasChapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 17.9

Food and sacrifice in the modes

कट्‌वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिन: ।

आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दु:खशोकामयप्रदा: ॥ ९ ॥

kaṭv-amla-lavaṇāty-uṣṇa-

tīkṣṇa-rūkṣa-vidāhinaḥ

āhārā rājasasyeṣṭā

duḥkha-śokāmaya-pradāḥ

Translation

Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry and burning are dear to those in the mode of passion. Such foods cause distress, misery and disease.

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 the Mode of Passion

  1. 1Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry and burning are dear to those in passion.
  2. 2These foods cause distress, misery and disease.
  3. 3When choosing food, keep these harmful effects in mind.

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 17.9 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.

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

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 17.9 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.