17.1
Arjuna said, “O Krishna, what about one who does not follow the precepts of the scriptures, but faithfully follows a spiritual path according to his own vision? Is he driven by the energy of goodness, passion or ignorance?”
17.2
Lord Krishna said:
Each embodied soul has an inherent faith in one of the gunas — goodness, passion, or ignorance. I will now speak about this.
17.3
All living beings have faith. An individual’s faith corresponds to his essence. Whatever he has faith in, that is what he is.
17.4
Those upheld by goodness worship God and demigods. Those enthralled by passion worship demons. The ignorant worship ghosts and spirits of nature.
17.5
Those who perform severe austerities and penances not prescribed by the scriptures do it out of pride, conceit, egoism, and attachment. This certainly arises from the demonic.
17.6
By subjecting the body to senseless torture, they torture also the elements within, including Me, who indwells all bodies.
17.7
Even the food each person prefers is determined by the guna he associates with, as are the kinds of sacrifices, austerities and charities he is inclined to.
17.8
People who have faith in goodness prefer food that is pure, healthy, vital, and soothing. Such foods are juicy, succulent, nourishing, and full of natural flavor. These foods promote longevity, strength, and happiness.
17.9
Those in whom passion is dominant are inclined to foods that are too bitter, salty, sour, hot, pungent, dry, or spicy. These foods cause distress, misery, and disease.
17.10
The ignorant devour food that is overcooked, old, rancid, unclean, stale, putrid, and left over from others.
17.11
Sacrifice performed in accordance with the scriptures, without expectation of reward, and with a firm faith in duty, is of the nature of goodness.
17.12
But sacrifice performed ostentatiously, or for material return, is hypocritical, and is of the nature of passion.
17.13
Any sacrifice that contradicts spiritual scripture, that gives no food to the hungry, in which no prayers are chanted, in which no gifts are offered, is a sacrifice born of ignorance.
17.14
Austerity of the body consists of worshipping the Supreme Lord, a spiritual master, or one’s superiors, like mother and father. Cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy, and non-violence are also austerities of the body.
17.15
Austerity of speech consists of speaking words that are truthful, agreeable, and for the benefit of others. Also, reciting the Vedas.
17.16
Austerity of mind consists of silence, simplicity, kindness, self-control, and purity of thought.
17.17
This three-fold austerity, performed in faith without thought of reward, is of the nature of goodness.
17.18
Ostentatious austerities performed in pride for the sake of honor and respect are hypocritical, and of the nature of passion. They are unstable and transitory.
17.19
Austerities performed out of foolish notions, like harming others and self-torture, are certainly born of ignorance.
17.20
A gift given to a worthy person, at the proper time and place, with no thought of reward or reciprocity, is a charity performed out of goodness.
17.21
Charities performed with reluctance, or with expectation of return, are charities with roots in passion.
17.22
A gift given to an unworthy person, with disrespect or disregard, at the wrong time, in the wrong place, is a gift of ignorance.
17.23
From the time of the ancients, the three sounds AUM TAT SAT, have pointed to Absolute Truth. They harken to the creation, sustenance, and dissolution of That which is True Reality. These sounds are chanted and intoned during sacrifices.
17.24
Followers of Brahman always begin their austerities, offerings, and sacrifices by uttering AUM, in accordance with the scriptures.
17.25
When those seeking Liberation offer sacrifices and acts of self-restraint, they are performed while intoning TAT.
17.26
SAT indicates Truth, as well as a follower of Truth, and also work in pursuit of Truth. Truth is the objective of all sacrifice.
17.27
Being established in sacrifice, austerity, and charity is also described as SAT, as is auspicious and righteous action.
17.28
But whatever sacrifice or austerity is performed without faith, is called ASAT. It is false, worthless and for naught, here and hereafter.