Chapter 17 Part 3 · Jñāna-yoga
The Divisions of Faith
- Verses
- 28
- Sections
- 8
- Verse pages
- 24
about 0.8 MB
Verses spoken by Śrī Kṛṣṇa 27 Arjuna 1 All chapters
Theme and purpose
The divisions of faith: Kṛṣṇa explains that the three modes determine people's faith which can be know by the nature of their foods, sacrifices, austerities and charity. Oṁ tat sat indicates Supreme Absolute Truth Viṣṇu.
How this chapter connects
In 16.23, Kṛṣṇa said that those who disregard scriptures and behave whimsically do not attain happiness in this life or the next. In 17.1, Arjuna asks Kṛṣṇa about the unauthorized worship of those who have some faith not based on scriptures.
In the previous chapters, various systems of yoga and the supremacy of bhakti-yoga have been explained. In the last chapter, Kṛṣṇa gives an overview of Bhagavad-gita, and stresses that surrender unto Kṛṣṇa in bhakti is the ultimate goal of life.
How the chapter opens
In the previous chapter, Kṛṣṇa has established that ‘faithful followers of the scriptures are divine’ and that the ‘faithless are demoniac.’ In 16.23, He has concluded that those who disregard scriptures and behave whimsically do not attain happiness in this life or the next. …
Sections and key teachings
- 17.1 Arjuna’s inquiry about the unauthorized worship of those who have some faith which is not based on scriptures
- 17.2–7 The three modes determine one’s faith (śraddhā) and worship
- 17.8–10 Foods in three modes
- 17.11–13 Sacrifices in three modes
- 17.14–16 Three types of austerity
- 17.17–19 Austerity in three modes
- 17.20–22 Charity in three modes
- 17.23–28 Conclusion – Oṁ tat Sat indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth, Viṣṇu. Any sacrifice, charity or austerity done without faith in the Supreme is impermanent and is asat
All verses
17.1
17.2–7
17.8–10
17.11–13
17.14–16
17.17–19
17.20–22
17.23–28