Gita 17: Yoga of the Threefold Faith, Sattvic

Threefold is the faith of men: Sattvic (pure), Rajasic (passionate) or Tamasic (dark). Bhagavad Gita

Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita- The Yoga of the Threefold Faith (Shraddha Traya VibhagaYoga). Spanish / English / Hindi.

Welcome to this dedicated academic resource covering Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita, systematically known as Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga, or the Yoga of the Threefold Faith. Nestled within the profound philosophical core of this historic scripture, Chapter 17 addresses a vital human question: What is the spiritual status of those who act with sincere devotion, yet outside the formal boundary lines of traditional scriptural rules?

Guided by the direct insights of Pedro Nonell—an internationally recognized authority on Advaita Vedanta, Sri Ramakrishna, and Swami Vivekananda—this study maps out how our internal nature dictates our patterns of faith, choice, and worship.

By analyzing the food we enjoy, the charity we offer, and the spiritual disciplines we maintain, Chapter 17 provides a transformative mirror for our habits, helping us elevate our awareness from restlessness and confusion into pure, harmonious awareness.

Pedro Nonell, expert in Bhagavad Gita and Advaita Vedanta
Professor: Pedro Nonell (Expert on Swami Vivekananda, translator, and commentator of the Bhagavad Gita into Spanish)

Understanding Shraddha: The Modalities of Faith

The seventeenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, entitled Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga in the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, on the science of yoga, as part of the Knowledge of Brahman in the Upanishad known as the Bhagavad Gita opens with Arjuna's inquiry regarding the scriptural authority of Shastra (conduct of the worthy) given to him by Sri Krishna in the last two verses (23 and 24) of the previous chapter (The Yoga of Distinction of Divine and Demoniac Nature)

The Bhagavad Gita is Yoga-Shastra

What happens to those who do not accept the authority of Shastra but act with faith?

Throughout this chapter, Sri Krishna will answer this important doubt of Arjuna. He will also reflect on the three types of faith, Yajna (sacrifice), austerity (Tapas) or charity (Dana) depending on how they are carried out as well as the consequences of doing work without faith.

Subject Syllabus:

Introduction and summary of Chapter 17- The Yoga of the Threefold Faith
Chapter reading Chapter 17 - The Yoga of the Threefold Faith (Gandhi's Gita):
1. Analysis of the Comments by Gandhi, Desai and Sivananda
Key topics of Chapter 17:
1. Verses 1-3: The three types of faith (Shraddha: Sattvic, Rajasic or Tamasic -Gunas-)
2. Verses 4-6: The three forms of worship. The austerity (Tapas) contrary to the Shastras (rules)
3. Verses 7-10: The three types of food
4. Verses 11-13: The three types of Yajna (sacrifice)
5. Verses 14-19: The three types of Tapas (austerity)
6. Verses 20-22: The types of Dana (charity)
7. Verses 23-27: The greatness of the OM TAT SAT mantra
8. Verse 28: ASAT, the error of practicing sacrifice, charity or austerity without Shraddha (faith)
Reading the versified adaptation of this chapter
Analysis of each verse and its comments from chapter Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga (Gita Makaranadam of Swami Vidya Prakashananda in Spanish)
Swami Vivekananda Readings related to Chapter 17- The Yoga of the Threefold Faith
Exercises of Chapter 17 Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga

Study process Subjects (chapters) Bhagavad Gita

Content - Chapter 17- The Yoga of the Threefold Faith (Jnana Philosophy, Bhagavad Gita)

Exegesis of Chapter 17: Food, Worship, and Sacrificial Purity

Arjuna's doubt was:

“Arjuna: When men sacrifice to the gods with faith but do not follow the injunctions of the scriptures, what is the nature of their devotion, O Krishna? Is it Sattva, Rajas or Tamas.” Bhagavad Gita 17.1.

Sri Krishna responded that the faith of these men who do not follow the Shastra will depend on the innate character of each man (Sattvic, Rajasic or Tamasic) and can be the faith of three types defined by their Gunas:

“Sri Krishna: The faith of men, born of their innate natures, is of three kinds: Sattva, Rajas or Tamas. Hear about them now.
Every man's faith is according to the nature of his mind. A man, Ο Bharata, is made of his faith; Whatever the nature of his faith, that is truly what” Bhagavad Gita 17.2-3.

For Swami Sivananda:

“Sri Krishna: In all acts (sacrifice, worship, charity, etc.), these qualities are expressed according to the type of faith that person professes. Thus they produce results according to the quality of the faith of the doer. Acts performed with correct faith lead to supreme blessing.” Swami Sivananda.

Sri Krishna explained that the pure (Sattvic) man worships God, but the Rajasic and Tamasic “worship ghosts and the hosts of nature spirits” (Gita 17 -4).

Sri Krishna then referred to the practice of austerity contrary to the Shastras (scriptures):

“Sri Krishna: Those vain and conceited men who, driven by the force of their lust and attachment, subject themselves to severe austerities not ordered by the scriptures, and, foolish as they are, torture all their bodily organs, and therefore also Me, who I live inside their bodies, you have to know that they are diabolical in their purposes.” Bhagavad Gita 17.5-6.

And he explained that since the Lord dwells in man, if he “tortures the various elements that make up his bodies” with austerities contrary to Shastra, then they also torture Him. These beings are for Krishna of “impious purposes” (Gita 17.6).

Next, Sri Krishna explained, based on the Three Gunas and Shastra, the types of food, sacrifice, austerity and charity:

“Sri Krishna: As I explained to you before, the food that each one appreciates is of three types; so are sacrifice, austerity and charity. Hear how they differ” Bhagavad Gita 17.7.

In the previous verse of Gandhi's version, “As I explained to you before” is not clear, so we include Swami Vidya Prakashananda's translation, which is clearer:

“Sri Krishna: Even the food that people prefer is of these three types. The same goes for sacrifice, austerity and charity. Listen now to their distinctions.” Bhagavad Gita 17.7.

Swami Sivananda titled this discourse as “The Yoga of the Division of the Three Kinds of Faith.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the meaning of 'Shraddha' in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17?

Shraddha means much more than simple intellectual belief; it represents deep-seated faith, trust, and the natural internal orientation of a person's character and mind.

How do the three Gunas express themselves through human faith?

A person's faith is colored by their primary mode of nature: Sattvic faith seeks truth and selfless unity; Rajasic faith is driven by personal power, prestige, and ambition; while Tamasic faith is rooted in ignorance, confusion, and fear.

What is the significance of the mantra 'OM TAT SAT' in this discourse?

'OM TAT SAT' is a foundational triple designation for the Ultimate Reality (Brahman). Reciting it purifies our spiritual intentions, counteracting human imperfections and aligning our actions with absolute truth.

Why does Sri Krishna warn against extreme or unscriptural austerities?

Sri Krishna explains that harsh, exhibitionist self-torture driven by ego and vanity harms the biological elements of the body, and by extension, acts against the Supreme Divine Presence dwelling within the human heart.

Conclusion

In summary, Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita reveals that our external choices are direct expressions of our underlying spiritual character.

Sri Krishna shows us that everything we consume, the charity we perform, and the ideals we worship are determined by our personal composition of the Gunas.

Through the expert lens of Pedro Nonell, this discourse moves beyond rigid dogma, emphasizing that true spiritual refinement is an internal process. As taught by Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, transforming our path begins by intentionally choosing Sattvic food, practicing honest discipline, and dedicating all our efforts to the Divine using the mantra OM TAT SAT. This steady focus turns our everyday actions into a clear path toward liberation.