विवेचन सारांश

One is Defined by One's Faith (śraddha)

Arjuna asks Bhagavān to clear his confusion about the state of people who are doing sacrifices in the yajnas and ignoring the ordinance of the Śāstras.

Arjuna wanted to know under what category their shraddha is being included- Sattvic, Rajasic or Tamasic, because whatever yajnas they perform, it is being done with utmost faith though not following the ordinance of the Scriptures.

Sri Krishna Paramātmā has already explained in the 15th chapter about the three gunas in details and how they influence the worldly state of affairs.

Bhagavān says to Arjuna that the faith of each or of all human beings conforms to the nature of their mind. Eventually one would become the nature of faith in which one believes in as everyone is born of the nature of his/her faith.

Whenever we are doing any act, whoever is having whichever kind of faith they would become that faith. In simple words, If one believes in something called kind heartedness, then one would become a kind hearted person. If someone is doing Tantra Sādhanā to make someone unhappy or to harm someone, it will only work on someone who believes in Tantra Sādhanā, and will not work on someone who doesn’t believe in it.

Bhagavān explains that a person’s faith is shaped by their inherent qualities or nature. The type of faith one has whether it is sattvic, rajasic, or tamasic reflects their inner disposition. Essentially, the quality of one’s faith determines their character and actions.  

Bhagavān explains the meaning of the convictions of Śāstras and what kind of results we get when we offer our prayers to gods and demigods. The nature of one’s faith influences the object of worship. 

We can not determine one’s nature just by looking at them physically, but can determine by observing their habits like eating, activities, behaviour, etc.

Sattvic (Goodness) people with a pure heart and mind worship the gods.

Rajasic (Passion) people, driven by desires and ambitions for achieving siddhi or specific things, worship powerful beings like yakshas (demi-gods) and rakshasas (demons). For example, If one wants to earn money then he or she worships Kubera. People will also worship Ravana to achieve some qualities that are specific to him. 

Tamasic (Ignorance) people with deluded minds worship ghosts (Pretas) and spirits (Bhutas). This is not recommended as one will end up in a very low level or Tamasic world forever or as long as they perform such acts. 

Bhagavān explains about the people who are intentionally ignoring the ordinance of the Śāstras, their status, position, and where they would end up. 

Such people perform terrific practices or engage in harsh and extreme forms of penance and austerity that are not mentioned in or recommended by the Śāstras. Such people intentionally avoid following the ordinance of the scriptures and perform acts just per their interests and wishes.

Some people will do some extreme acts like fasting for days together, without indulging in any spiritual practice like japa, or puja. Their focus is only on the results or favour they think the act of fasting will deliver. The Śāstras ordinate about some specific rituals to be performed during Upavas (fastings). Simply fasting without performing the rituals will not yield any benefit.

Such terrific practices are driven by:

• Hypocrisy (dambha) - pretending to be virtuous or pious.
• Egoism/Arrogance (ahankara) - a sense of self-importance and pride.
• Lust and Attachment (Kama-Raga) - desires and attachments that compel them to undertake such severe practices.

• Sattva (light, bliss, goodness)
• Rajas (passion)
• Tamas (inertia, darkness).

• Santa Vritti (peace) comes from Sattva Guna
• Ghora Vritti from Rajo Guna
• Muda Vritti from Tamo Guna

Tamasic people, under the influence of the mode of ignorance, prefer foods that are overcooked, stale, putrid, polluted, and impure. Such foods are considered unhealthy and detrimental to both physical and spiritual well-being.

Having food with onion and garlic also comes under Tamasic. Gandhi ji's wife Kasturba was advised to have non-vegetarian food as medicine, when bed-ridden. She rejected the suggestion, as she had never consumed non-vegetarian food in her life, and did not wish to do so when she was dying.

In these slokas, Bhagavān has given us important insights and information on different types of food that one can consume and what are the benefits or disadvantages of doing so. It is up to us to make our decision about what to eat. Thoughts influence our shraddha and karmas. So, we must keep our thoughts pure and sattvic. Sattvic thoughts and minds that help us continue on our spiritual journey can be developed by consuming sattvic food.


Questions and Answers:

Sal Srivastava JI
Q: What is the difference between Bhagavad Gītā and Bhagavatam?
A: Bhagavad Gītā is the conversation between Bhagavān and Arjuna. Bhagavata Purana or Srimad Bhagavatam explains Sri Krishna's leelas/maya. 

Kiran JI
Q: What can we do with the left over food, instead of throwing away? 
A: You can use the leftover food to feed cows.

Satish JI
Q: What is being told in the seventeenth chapter in short? 
A: As the chapter name  "Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga" says, Bhagavān is explaining to Arjuna about three Shraddhas (Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic) and the distinctions/differences between them in terms of Yajna, Dana, Tapah and Karma.