Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga

अर्जुन उवाच |

Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is the situation of those who do not follow the principles of scripture but worship according to their own faith? Are they in goodness, in passion, or in ignorance?

श्री भगवानुवाच |

The Supreme Lord said: The faith of embodied beings is of three kinds, born of their own nature — sattvic (in goodness), rajasic (in passion), and tamasic (in ignorance). Now hear about this from Me.

सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत |

The faith of every person corresponds to their nature, O Arjuna. A human being is made of faith — whatever their faith is, that is what they are.

यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः |

Those in the mode of goodness worship the gods (devas); those in the mode of passion worship yakshas and rakshasas (demons); and those in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts and spirits of the dead.

अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः |

Those who practice severe austerities not enjoined by the scriptures, being driven by hypocrisy and ego, impelled by lust, attachment, and force —

कर्षयन्तः शरीरस्थं भूतग्राममचेतसः |

Those who senselessly torture the material elements of the body, and also Me who dwells within — know them to be of demoniac resolve.

आहारस्त्वपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रियः |

Even the food that is preferred by each person is of three kinds. So too are sacrifice, austerity, and charity. Now hear of the distinctions among them.

आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः |

Foods that increase life span, purify existence, give strength, health, happiness, and satisfaction — such foods are juicy, smooth, substantial, and pleasing to the heart. They are dear to those in the mode of goodness.

कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरुक्षविदाहिनः |

Foods that are excessively bitter, sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry, and burning are preferred by those in the mode of passion. Such foods cause pain, distress, and disease.

यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् |

Food that is cooked more than three hours before eating, that is tasteless, stale, putrid, decomposed, and impure — such food is dear to those in the mode of ignorance.

अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदिष्टो य इज्यते |

That sacrifice which is performed according to scriptural direction, by those who expect no reward, with the firm conviction that it is a duty — that sacrifice is sattvic (in the mode of goodness).

अभिसन्धाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत् |

But that sacrifice which is performed for the sake of some material benefit, or for pride and ostentation, O best of the Bharatas — know that to be rajasic (in the mode of passion).

विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम् |

That sacrifice performed without regard for scriptural direction, without distribution of prasadam, without chanting of Vedic mantras, without proper remuneration to the priests, and without faith — that is considered tamasic (in the mode of ignorance).

देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम् |

Worship of the Supreme Lord, the brahmanas, the spiritual master, and wise elders, along with purity, simplicity, celibacy, and nonviolence — this is called austerity of the body.

अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् |

Speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not causing distress to others, and regular study of the Vedic scriptures — this is called austerity of speech.

मनःप्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः |

Serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, self-control, and purity of thought — this is called austerity of the mind.

श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः |

This threefold austerity, practiced with supreme faith by steadfast persons who desire no reward, is declared to be sattvic — in the mode of goodness.

सत्कारमानपूजार्थं तपो दम्भेन चैव यत् |

Austerity performed with hypocrisy, for the sake of gaining respect, honor, and reverence from others, is said to be rajasic — it is unstable and temporary.

मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः |

Austerity performed with foolish stubbornness, through self-torture, or for the purpose of destroying others — that is declared to be tamasic, in the mode of ignorance.

दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे |

Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the right place and time, and to a worthy person — that is considered sattvic charity.

यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः |

Charity given with the expectation of something in return, or with desire for future reward, or given grudgingly — that is considered rajasic.

अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते |

Charity given at the wrong place and time, to unworthy recipients, without respect, and with contempt — that is declared to be tamasic.

ॐ तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः |

Om Tat Sat — this has been declared as the threefold designation of Brahman. By this, the brahmanas, the Vedas, and the sacrifices were ordained in the beginning.

तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः |

Therefore, the acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity as prescribed by scripture are always begun by the knowers of Brahman with the utterance of Om.

तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः |

Uttering 'Tat' — without aiming at any fruit — the various acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity are performed by those who seek liberation.

सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते |

The word 'Sat' is used in the sense of reality and goodness, O Partha. Likewise, the word 'Sat' is used to describe auspicious action.

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 Supreme is verily called 'Sat.'

अश्रद्धया हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत् |

Whatever is sacrificed, given, or performed, and whatever austerity is practiced without faith — it is called 'Asat,' O Partha. It is of no value, either here or hereafter.