Sraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga

अर्जुन उवाच |

Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is the state of those who do not follow the principles of scripture but worship with faith? Is it in goodness (Sattva), passion (Rajas), or ignorance (Tamas)?

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

The Supreme Lord said: The faith of the embodied souls is of three kinds, born of their individual nature—good (Sattvik), passionate (Rajasic), and ignorant (Tamasic). Hear about it now.

सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत |

The faith of each person is in accordance with their natural character, O Bharata. A person is made of their faith; whatever their faith is, that indeed they are.

यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः |

Those in the mode of goodness (Sattvik) worship the demigods; those in the mode of passion (Rajasic) worship the spirits and demons; and others, in the mode of ignorance (Tamasic), worship ghosts and spirits of the dead.

अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः |

Those persons who undergo severe, unscriptural austerities, filled with hypocrisy and egotism, and driven by the force of desire and attachment...

कर्षयन्तः शरीरस्थं भूतग्राममचेतसः |

Senselessly torturing the elements of their own physical bodies and Me who dwells within the body—know them to be of demoniac resolve.

आहारस्त्वपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रियः |

Even the food that is preferred by everyone is of three kinds, as are sacrifice, austerity, and charity. Hear now the distinction between them.

आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः |

Foods that promote longevity, vitality, strength, health, happiness, and satisfaction, which are juicy, smooth, substantial, and agreeable, are dear to those in the mode of goodness (Sattvik).

कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिनः |

Foods that are bitter, sour, salty, excessively hot, pungent, dry, and burning are preferred by those in the mode of passion (Rajasic). They cause pain, grief, and disease.

यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् |

Food that is stale, tasteless, putrid, rotten, left-over, and impure is dear to those in the mode of ignorance (Tamasic).

अफलाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते |

Sacrifice which is offered according to scriptural rules, by those who do not desire any reward, with the firm conviction that 'it ought to be done,' is in the mode of goodness (Sattvik).

अभिसन्धाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत् |

But that sacrifice which is offered seeking a reward, and for the sake of ostentation and show, O best of the Bharatas, know that to be in the mode of passion (Rajasic).

विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम् |

Sacrifice which is offered contrary to scriptural rules, without distribution of food, without sacred chants, without gifts to priests, and devoid of faith, is declared to be in the mode of ignorance (Tamasic).

देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम् |

Worship of the gods, the twice-born, the teachers, and the wise; purity, straightforwardness, celibacy, and non-injury—these are declared to constitute austerity of the body.

अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् |

Speech that does not cause agitation, which is truthful, pleasant, and beneficial, and the regular study of scriptures—these are declared to constitute austerity of speech.

मनः प्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः |

Serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, self-control, and purity of heart—these are declared to constitute austerity of the mind.

श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः |

This threefold austerity, performed with supreme faith by individuals who seek no reward and are self-disciplined, is declared to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik).

सत्कारमानपूजार्थं तपो दम्भेन चैव यत् |

Austerity which is performed in order to gain respect, honor, and reverence, and with hypocrisy, is declared to be in the mode of passion (Rajasic). It is unstable and temporary.

मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः |

Austerity which is performed out of foolish conviction, with self-torture, or for the purpose of destroying or injuring others, is declared to be in the mode of ignorance (Tamasic).

दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे |

Charity which is given with the thought 'it is my duty to give,' to one who does no return service, at the proper place and time, and to a worthy person, is held to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik).

यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः |

But charity which is given with the expectation of a return, or seeking a reward, or given reluctantly and grudgingly, is declared to be in the mode of passion (Rajasic).

अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते |

Charity which is given at an improper place and time, to unworthy persons, and without respect or with contempt, is declared to be in the mode of ignorance (Tamasic).

ॐतत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः |

'OM TAT SAT'—this is declared to be the threefold designation of Brahman. By this, the priests, the Vedas, and the sacrifices were ordained in the ancient past.

तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः |

Therefore, with the utterance of 'OM,' acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity as ordained in scriptures are always initiated by the seekers of Brahman.

तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः |

Uttering 'TAT' and without seeking any reward, various acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity are performed by those who desire liberation.

सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते |

The word 'SAT' is used in the sense of reality and goodness, O Partha; it is also applied to auspicious and praise-worthy actions.

यज्ञे तपसि दाने च स्थितिः सदिति चोच्यते |

Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and charity is also called 'SAT'; and action performed for the sake of the Lord is also designated as 'SAT.'

अश्रद्धया हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत् |

Whatever sacrifice is offered, charity given, austerity practiced, or action performed without faith, is called 'ASAT' (unreal), O Partha. It is of no value here in this life or in the next.