bg17-Sanskrit

Bhagavadgita Pages in English, Chapters 1 to 18

BG01	BG02	BG03	BG04	BG05	BG06
BG07	BG08	BG09	BG10	BG11	BG12
BG13	BG14	BG15	BG16	BG17	BG18

bg01-Sanskrit	bg02-Sanskrit	bg03-Sanskrit	bg04-Sanskrit	bg05-Sanskrit	bg06-Sanskrit
bg07-Sanskrit	bg08-Sanskrit	bg09-Sanskrit	bg10-Sanskrit	bg11-Sanskrit	bg12-Sanskrit
bg13-Sanskrit	bg14-Sanskrit	bg15-Sanskrit	bg16-Sanskrit	bg17-Sanskrit	bg18-Sanskrit

www.bhagavadgitausa.com

V.Krishnaraj

BG Chapter 17: Gunas and Faith

अर्जुन उवाच

ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः ।

तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः ॥१७- १॥

arjuna uvāca
ye śāstravidhim utsṛjya yajante śraddhayānvitāḥ
teṣāṁ niṣṭhā tu kā kṛṣṇa sattvam āho rajas tamaḥ 17.1

arjuna uvāca
ye¹ śāstra-vidhim² utsṛjya³ yajante⁴ śraddhayā⁵ anvitāḥ⁶
teṣām⁷ niṣṭhā⁸ tu⁹ kā¹⁰ kṛṣṇa¹¹ sattvam¹² āho¹³ raja¹⁴ tamaḥ¹⁵ 17.1

arjuna uvāca = Arjuna said: ye¹ = those who; utsṛjya³ = give up; śāstra-vidhim² = Scriptural injunctions; [and yet] anvitāḥ⁶= are endowed; śraddhayā⁵ = with faith; [and] yajante⁴ = worship; tu⁹ = but; kā¹⁰ = what; [is] niṣṭhā⁸ = the status; teṣām⁷ = of them; kṛṣṇa¹¹ = O Krishna; [Is it] sattvam¹² = virtue; raja¹⁴ = passion; āho¹³ = or; tamaḥ¹⁵ = darkness. 17.1

17.1: Arjuna said:

What is the status of those who give up the scriptural injunctions and worship with faith? Is it Sattva, Rajas, or Tamas: Goodness, passion, or ignorance?

श्रीभगवानुवाच

त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा ।

सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु ॥१७- २॥

śrībhagavān uvāca
trividhā bhavati śraddhā dehināṁ sā svabhāvajā
sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tāṁ śṛṇu 17.2

śrībhagavān uvāca
trividhā¹ bhavati² śraddhā³ dehinām⁴ sā⁵ svabhāvajā⁶
sāttvikī⁷ rājasī⁸ ca⁹ eva¹⁰ tāmasī¹¹ ca¹² iti¹³ tām¹⁴ śṛṇu¹⁵ 17.2

śrībhagavān uvāca = Sri Bhagavan said: sā⁵ = that; śraddhā³ = faith; dehinām⁴ = of the embodied; bhavati² = becomes; trividhā¹ = threefold; svabhāvajā⁶ = born of their own nature; sāttvikī⁷ = born of goodness; rājasī⁸ = born of passion; ca⁹ = and; eva¹⁰ = indeed; tāmasī¹¹ = born of darkness; ca¹² = and; iti¹³ = thus; śṛṇu¹⁵ = hear; tām¹⁴ = that [from Me]. 17.2

17.2: Sri Bhagavan said:

The faith of the embodied is of three kinds, born of their own nature: Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. Thus, hear that from Me.

सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत ।

श्रद्धामयोऽयं पुरुषो यो यच्छ्रद्धः स एव सः ॥१७- ३॥

sattvānurūpā sarvasya śraddhā bhavati bhārata
śraddhāmayoyaṁ puruṣo yo yacchraddhaḥ sa eva saḥ 17.3

sattva-anurūpā¹ sarvasya² śraddhā³ bhavati⁴ bhārata⁵
śraddhā⁶ mayaḥ⁷ ayam⁸ puruṣaḥ⁹ yaḥ¹⁰ yat¹¹ śraddhaḥ¹² saḥ¹³ eva¹⁴ saḥ¹⁵ 17.3

śraddhā³ = Faith; sarvasya² = of all beings; bhavati⁴ = becomes [is]; sattva-anurūpā¹ = according to their own nature; bhārata⁵ = O Scion of Bharata clan; ayam⁸ = this; puruṣaḥ⁹ = person; [is] śraddhā⁶ mayaḥ⁷ = faith incarnate; yaḥ¹⁰ = that person; yat¹¹ = whichever/whatever; [his] śraddhaḥ¹² = faith [is]; saḥ¹³ eva¹⁴ = that indeed; saḥ¹⁵ = he [is]. 17.3

17.3: Everyone’s faith is according to his own nature, O Arjuna. That person is faith incarnate--of the nature of his faith. Whatever his faith is, that certainly, he is.

यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः ।

प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः ॥१७- ४॥

yajante sāttvikā devān yakṣarakṣāṁsi rājasāḥ
pretān bhūtagaṇāñś cānye yajante tāmasā janāḥ 17.4

yajante¹ sāttvikāḥ² devān³ yakṣa-rakṣāṁsi⁴ rājasāḥ⁵
pretān⁶ bhūta-gaṇāñ⁷ ca⁸ anye⁹ yajante¹⁰ tāmasāḥ¹¹ janāḥ¹² 17.4

sāttvikāḥ² = Virtuous people; yajante¹ = worship; devān³ = the gods; rājasāḥ⁵ = the passionate; yakṣa-rakṣāṁsi⁴ = Yaksas and Raksasas; ca⁸ = and; anye⁹ = others; tāmasāḥ¹¹ = the ignorant; janāḥ¹² = people; yajante¹⁰ = worship; pretān⁶ = ghosts; [&] bhūta-gaṇāñ⁷ = spirits.17.4

17.4: Good people worship the gods, the passionate worship the yaksas and raksasas, and (others who are) the ignorant people worship the spirits and ghosts.

अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः ।

दम्भाहंकारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः ॥१७- ५॥

aśāstravihitaṁ ghoraṁ tapyante ye tapo janāḥ
dambhāhaṁkārasaṁyuktāḥ kāmarāgabalānvitāḥ 17.5

aśāstra-vihitam¹ ghoram² tapyante³ ye⁴ tapaḥ⁵ janāḥ⁶
dambha-ahañkāra-saṁyuktāḥ⁷ kāma-rāga-bala-anvitāḥ⁸ 17.5

ye⁴ janāḥ⁶ = Those persons who; tapyante³ = perform; ghoram² = terrible; tapaḥ⁵ = austerities; aśāstra-vihitam¹ = not ordained in scriptures; dambha^7A-ahañkāra^7B-saṁyuktāḥ^7C = engaged in^7C hypocrisy^7A and ego^7B; kāma-rāga-bala-anvitāḥ⁸ = possessing^8D lust^8A, desire^8B, strength^8C... 17.5 continued

17.5: Those people, who perform terrible austerities not ordained by the scriptures, given to hypocrisy and ego, impelled by lust, attachment, and strength...

कर्षयन्तः शरीरस्थं भूतग्राममचेतसः ।

मां चैवान्तःशरीरस्थं तान्विद्ध्यासुरनिश्चयान् ॥१७- ६॥

karṣayantaḥ śarīrasthaṁ bhūtagrāmam acetasaḥ
māṁ caivāntaḥśarīrasthaṁ tān viddhy āsuraniścayān 17.6

karṣayantaḥ¹ śarīrastham² bhūta-grāmam³ acetasaḥ⁴
mām⁵ ca⁶ eva⁷ antaḥ-śarīra-stham⁸ tān⁹ viddhi¹⁰ āsura-niścayān¹¹ 17.6

acetasaḥ⁴ = mindlessly; karṣayantaḥ¹ = torturing; bhūta-grāmam³ = aggregate of elements; śarīrastham² = in the body; ca⁶ = and; eva⁷ = indeed; mām⁵ = Me; ntaḥ-śarīra-stham⁸ = who dwells inside the body [as a Witness]; viddhi¹⁰ = know; tān⁹ = them; āsura-niścayān¹¹ = as of the nature of demons. 17.6

17.6: Mindlessly torturing the multitude of elements in the (physical) body and Me who dwell within the body, know those ignorant ones are of demonic resolve.

आहारस्त्वपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रियः ।

यज्ञस्तपस्तथा दानं तेषां भेदमिमं शृणु ॥१७- ७॥
āhāras tv api sarvasya trividho bhavati priyaḥ
yajñas tapas tathā dānaṁ teṣāṁ bhedam imaṁ śṛṇu 17.7

āhāraḥ¹ tu² api³ sarvasya⁴ trividhaḥ⁵ bhavati⁶ priyaḥ⁷
yajñaḥ⁸ tapaḥ⁹ tathā¹⁰ dānam¹¹ teṣām¹² bhedam¹³ imam¹⁴ śṛṇu¹⁵ 17.7

āhāraḥ¹ = Food; priyaḥ⁷ = dear; tu² = indeed; sarvasya⁴ = to all; api³ = also; bhavati⁶ = is [becomes]; trividhaḥ⁵ = threefold; tathā¹⁰ = so also; yajñaḥ⁸ = sacrifice; tapaḥ⁹ = austerity; dānam¹¹ = charity; śṛṇu¹⁵ = hear; imam¹⁴ = these; bhedam¹³ = differences; teṣām¹² = among them. 17.7

17.7: The food dear to all is also of three kinds. (So are the) Sacrifice, austerity, and charity. Hear the differences between them.

आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः ।

रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्या आहाराः सात्त्विकप्रियाः ॥१७- ८॥

āyuḥsattvabalārogyasukhaprītivivardhanāḥ
rasyāḥ snigdhāḥ sthirā hṛdyā āhārāḥ sāttvikapriyāḥ 17.8

āyuḥ-sattva-bala-ārogya-sukha-prīti¹ vivardhanāḥ²
rasyāḥ³ snigdhāḥ⁴ sthirāḥ⁵ hṛdyāḥ⁶ āhārāḥ⁷ sāttvika-priyāḥ⁸ 17.8

āhārāḥ⁷ = Foods; vivardhanāḥ² = that promote; āyuḥ-sattva-bala-ārogya-sukha-prīti² = life, existence, strength, health, happiness, [and] pleasure; [are] rasyāḥ⁴ = juicy; snigdhāḥ⁵ = smooth; sthirāḥ⁶ = firm; hṛdyāḥ⁷ = hearty; sāttvika-priyāḥ⁹ = dear to Sattvic persons. 17.8

17.8: The foods that augment a long life, existence, strength, health, happiness, and pleasure are juicy, smooth, firm, and hearty. (Those) foods are dear to Sattvic (people).

कट्‌वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिनः ।

आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दुःखशोकामयप्रदाः ॥१७- ९॥

kaṭvamlalavaṇātyuṣṇatīkṣṇarūkṣavidāhinaḥ
āhārā rājasasyeṣṭā duḥkhaśokāmayapradāḥ 17.9

kaṭu-amla-lavaṇa-atyuṣṇa-tīkṣṇa-rūkṣa-vidāhinaḥ¹
āhārāḥ² rājasasya³ iṣṭāḥ⁴ duḥkha-śoka-āmaya⁵ pradāḥ⁶ 17.9

kaṭu-amla-lavaṇa-atyuṣṇa-tīkṣṇa-rūkṣa-vidāhinaḥ¹ = Bitter, sour, salty, very hot, pungent, dry, fiery; āhārāḥ² = foods; iṣṭāḥ⁴ = dear; rājasasya³ = to Rajasic people; pradāḥ⁶ = give; duḥkha-śoka-āmaya⁵ = pain, sorrow, disease. 17.9

17.9: Rajasic people like foods that are bitter, sour, salty, very hot, pungent, dry and burning and cause misery, grief and sickness.

यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् ।

उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम् ॥१७- १०॥

yātayāmaṁ gatarasaṁ pūti paryuṣitaṁ ca yat
ucchiṣṭam api cāmedhyaṁ bhojanaṁ tāmasapriyam 17.10
yāta-yāmam¹ gata-rasam² pūti³ paryuṣitam⁴ ca⁵ yat⁶
ucchiṣṭam⁷ api⁸ ca⁹ amedhyam¹⁰ bhojanam¹¹ tāmasa priyam¹² 17.10

bhojanam¹¹ = Foods; yat⁶ = which; [are] yāta-yāmam¹ = improperly cooked; gata-rasam² = wanting in flavor; pūti³ = putrid; paryuṣitam⁴ = stale; ca⁵ = and; ucchiṣṭam⁷ = left-over; ca⁹ = and; api⁸ = also; amedhyam¹⁰ = unfit for sacrifice; [are] tāmasa priyam¹² = dear to the Tamasic person. 17.10

17.10: Foods that are improperly cooked, wanting in flavor, putrid, stale, left-over, and unfit for sacrifice are dear to the Tamasic person.

अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते ।

यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः ॥१७- ११॥

aphalāṅkṣibhir yajño vidhidṛṣṭo ya ijyate
yaṣṭavyam eveti manaḥ samādhāya sa sāttvikaḥ 17.11

aphala-āṅkṣibhiḥ¹ yajñaḥ² vidhi-dṛṣṭaḥ³ yaḥ⁴ ijyate⁵
yaṣṭavyam eva⁶ iti⁷ manaḥ samādhāya⁸ saḥ⁹ sāttvikaḥ¹⁰ 17.11

yajñaḥ² = Sacrifice; yaḥ⁴ = which; ijyate⁵ = was performed; vidhi-dṛṣṭaḥ³ = according to injunctions; [by] aphala-āṅkṣibhiḥ¹ = those who have no desire for fruits of their labor; manaḥ samādhāya⁸ = with fixed mind; [knowing it is] yaṣṭavyam eva⁶ = expected performance of duty; saḥ⁹ = that; iti⁷ = thus; [is] sāttvikaḥ¹⁰ = sattvika mode. 17.11

17.11: Sacrifice performed according to injunctions with no desire for fruit, with conviction in the mind and a sworn duty is good (sattva).

अभिसंधाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत् ।

इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम् ॥१७- १२॥

abhisaṁdhāya tu phalaṁ dambhārtham api caiva yat
ijyate bharataśreṣṭha taṁ yajñaṁ viddhi rājasam 17.12

abhisandhāya¹ tu² phalam³ dambhārtham⁴ api⁵ ca⁶ eva⁷ yat⁸
ijyate⁹ bharataśreṣṭha¹⁰ tam¹¹ yajñam¹² viddhi¹³ rājasam¹⁴ 17.12

tu² = But; yat⁸ = that which; ijyate⁹ = is performed; eva⁷ = indeed; dambhārtham⁴ = for the sake of ostentation; ca⁶ = or; abhisandhāya¹ = holding in view; phalam³ api⁵ = also⁵ the result/fruit³; bharataśreṣṭha¹⁰ = O best of Bharatas; viddhi¹³ = know; tam¹¹ = that; yajñam¹² = sacrifice; rājasam¹⁴ = is Rajas. 17.12

17.12: That which is performed for the sake of dambha (ostentation), and motivated by expectation of fruits, O best of the Bharatas, you know that as sacrifice in Rajasic nature.

विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम् ।

श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते ॥१७- १३॥

vidhihīnam asṛṣṭānnaṁ mantrahīnam adakṣiṇam
śraddhāvirahitaṁ yajñaṁ tāmasaṁ paricakṣate 17.13

vidhi-hīnam¹ asṛṣṭa-annam² mantra-hīnam³ adakṣiṇam⁴
śraddhā-virahitam⁵ yajñam⁶ tāmasam⁷ paricakṣate⁸ 17.13

yajñam⁶ = Sacrifice; vidhi-hīnam¹ = opposed to injunctions; asṛṣṭa-annam² = with undistributed food [prasadam]; mantra-hīnam³ = with no mantras chanted; adakṣiṇam⁴ = with no remuneration to priests;[ and] śraddhā-virahitam⁵ = deprived of faith; paricakṣate⁸ = is said to be; tāmasam⁷ = Tamas. 17.13

17.13: Sacrifice that is opposed to injunctions, in which no food is distributed, no mantra is chanted, no remuneration is paid to the priests, and no faith is expressed is declared Tamasic.

देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम् ।

ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते ॥१७- १४॥

devadvijaguruprājñapūjanaṁ śaucam ārjavam
brahmacaryam ahiṁsā ca śārīraṁ tapa ucyate 17.14

deva-dvija-guru-prājña-pūjanam¹ śaucam-ārjavam-
brahmacaryam² ahiṁsā³ ca⁴ śārīram⁵ tapa⁶ ucyate⁷ 17.14

deva^1A-dvija^1B-guru^1C-prājña^1D-pūjanam^1E = Worship^1E of gods^1A , the twice-borns^1B, the Guru^1C, and the wise^1D; śaucam-ārjavam-brahmacaryam² = purity, honesty, celibacy; ca⁴ = and; ahiṁsā² = non-injury; [these] ucyate⁷ = are said to be; tapa⁶ = penance; śārīram⁵ = of the body.17.14

17.14: The worship of the gods, the twice-born, the guru, and the wise; purity, honesty, celibacy, and ahimsa: these are (said to be) the penance of the body.

अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् ।

स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते ॥१७- १५॥

anudvegakaraṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priyahitaṁ ca yat
svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva vāṅmayaṁ tapa ucyate 17.15

anudvegakaram¹ vākyam² satyam³ priya-hitam⁴ ca⁵ yat⁶
svādhyāya-abhyasanam⁷ ca⁸ eva⁹ vāk-mayam¹⁰ tapa¹¹ ucyate¹² 17.15

vākyam² = Speech; yat⁶ = which is; anudvegakaram¹ = not causing apprehension; satyam³ = truthful; priya-hitam⁴ = agreeable and beneficial; ca⁵ = and; [promotes] svādhyāya-abhyasanam⁷ = Vedic study practice; ca⁸ = also; eva⁹ = indeed; ucyate¹² = is said to be; tapa¹¹ = austerity; vāk-mayam¹⁰ = of speech. 17.15

17.15: Speech that is not frightening, truthful, agreeable, beneficial, and promotes practice of Vedic recitation, is said to be austerity of word.

मनः प्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः ।

भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते ॥१७- १६॥

manaḥprasādaḥ saumyatvaṁ maunam ātmavinigrahaḥ
bhāvasaṁśuddhir ity etat tapo mānasam ucyate 17.16

manaḥ-prasādaḥ¹ saumyatvam² maunam³ ātma-vinigrahaḥ⁴
bhāva-saṁśuddhiḥ⁵ iti⁶ etat⁷ tapaḥ⁸ mānasam⁹ ucyate¹⁰ 17.16

manaḥ-prasādaḥ¹ = Serenity of mind; saumyatvam² = gentleness; maunam³ = silence; ātma-vinigrahaḥ⁴ = self-restraint; bhāva-saṁśuddhiḥ⁵ = purity of nature: iti⁶ = thus; etat⁷ = these; ucyate¹⁰ = are said to be; tapaḥ⁸ = austerity; mānasam⁹ = of the mind. 17.16

17.16: The serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, self-restraint and purity of nature are called penance of mind.

श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः ।

अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते ॥१७- १७॥

śraddhayā parayā taptaṁ tapas tat trividhaṁ naraiḥ
aphalākāṅkṣibhir yuktaiḥ sāttvikaṁ paricakṣate 17.17

śraddhayā¹ parayā² taptam³ tapaḥ⁴ tat⁵ trividham⁶ naraiḥ⁷
aphala-ākāṅkṣibhiḥ⁸ yuktaiḥ⁹ sāttvikam¹⁰ paricakṣate¹¹ 17.17

tat⁵ = This; trividham⁶ = threefold; tapaḥ⁴ = austerity; taptam³ = practiced; parayā² śraddhayā¹ = with supreme faith; naraiḥ⁷ = by men; aphala-ākāṅkṣibhiḥ⁸ = who do not long for results: yuktaiḥ⁹ = Yogis; paricakṣate¹¹ = speak of it; sāttvikam¹⁰ = as endowed with the quality of Sattva. 17.17

17.17: Threefold penance performed with utmost faith by men of yogic pursuits without expectation of any fruits is called Sattvika.

सत्कारमानपूजार्थं तपो दम्भेन चैव यत् ।

क्रियते तदिह प्रोक्तं राजसं चलमध्रुवम् ॥१७- १८॥

satkāramānapūjārthaṁ tapo dambhena caiva yat
kriyate tad iha proktaṁ rājasaṁ calam adhruvam 17.18

satkāra-māna-pūja-artham¹ tapaḥ² dambhena³ ca eva⁴ yat⁵
kriyate⁶ tat⁷ iha⁸ proktam⁹ rājasam¹⁰ calam¹¹ adhruvam¹² 17.18

tapaḥ² = Austerity; satkāra^1A-māna^1B-pūja^1C-artham^1D = for the express purpose of or in consideration of^1D reverence^1A, honor^1B, worship^1C; ca eva⁴ = and also; yat⁵ = which; kriyate⁶ = is performed; dambhena³ = with hypocrisy; tat⁷ = that; iha⁸ = in this world; proktam⁹ = is considered; rājasam¹⁰ = born of Rajas; calam¹¹ = unsteady; [and] adhruvam¹² = impermanent. 17.18

17.18: If the motivation for penance is to earn a name, accolade, honor, and reverential attention, and hypocritical in nature, it is said to be Rajasic and its gains are unsteady and impermanent.

मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः ।

परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥१७- १९॥

mūḍhagrāheṇātmano yat pīḍayā kriyate tapaḥ
parasyotsādanārthaṁ vā tat tāmasam udāhṛtam 17.19

mūḍha-grāheṇa¹ ātmanaḥ² yat³ pīḍayā⁴ kriyate⁵ tapaḥ⁶
parasya⁷ utsādanārtham⁸ vā⁹ tat¹⁰ tāmasam¹¹ udāhṛtam¹² 17.19

yat³ = That; tapaḥ⁶ = austerity; kriyate⁵ = performed; mūḍha-grāheṇa¹ = with a foolish effort or plan; pīḍayā⁴ = causing pain; ātmanaḥ² = to one own self [body]; vā⁹ = or utsādanārtham⁸ = for the purpose of destruction; parasya⁷ = of others; tat¹⁰ = that; udāhṛtam¹² = is said to be; tāmasam¹¹ = of the nature of Tamas. 17.19

17.19: Penance performed with foolish stubbornness and self-hurt or to cause destruction of others is said to be Tamasic.

दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे ।

देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ॥१७- २०॥

dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyatenupakāriṇe
deśe kāle ca pātre ca tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛtam 17.20

dātavyam¹ iti² yat⁴ dānam⁵ dīyate⁶ anupakāriṇe⁷
deśe kāle ca pātre⁸ ca tat dānam⁹ sāttvikam smṛtam¹⁰ 17.20

dātavyam¹ = Charity or gift as a duty: yat⁴ = which; dānam⁵ = gift; dīyate⁶ = given; iti² = thus; anupakāriṇe⁷= to one who does not reciprocate; deśe^8A kāle^8B ca^8C pātre^8D = at a proper place^8A and^8C time⁸ to a deserving person^8D; ca tat dānam⁹ = and that gift; sāttvikam smṛtam¹⁰ = is regarded^10B as of the nature of Sattva or virtue^10A. 17.20

17.20: Charity given to the deserving, who can make no return, in a proper place and time and to a worthy person, is regarded as sattvic or virtuous.

यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः ।

दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥१७- २१॥

yat tu prattyupakārārthaṁ phalam uddiśya vā punaḥ
dīyate ca parikliṣṭaṁ tad dānaṁ rājasaṁ smṛtam 17.21

yat¹ tu² pratti-upakāra-artham³ phalam⁴ uddiśya⁵ vā⁶ punaḥ⁷
dīyate⁸ ca⁹ parikliṣṭam¹⁰ tat dānam¹¹ rājasam smṛtam¹² 17.21

tu² = But; tat dānam¹¹ = that gift; yat¹ = which; dīyate⁸ = is made; pratti-upakāra-artham³ = with the expectation of return in kind; vā⁶ = or; punaḥ⁷ = again; uddiśya⁵ = with desire for; phalam⁴ = fruit, result or return favor; ca⁹ = and; parikliṣṭam¹⁰ = unwillingly/reluctantly; rājasam smṛtam¹² = is regarded as of the nature of Rajas or passion. 17.21

17.21: Charity is regarded Rajasic or of the nature of passion, when the service is rendered unwillingly in anticipation of return in kind.

अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते ।

असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥१७- २२॥

adeśakāle yad dānam apātrebhyaś ca dīyate
asatkṛtam avajñātaṁ tat tāmasam udāhṛtam 17.22

adeśa-kāle¹ yat² dānam³ apātrebhyaḥ⁴ ca⁵ dīyate⁶
asat-kṛtam⁷ avajñātam⁸ tat⁹ tāmasam udāhṛtam¹⁰ 17.22

tat⁹ = That; dānam³ = charity; yat² = which; dīyate⁶ = is given; a¹-deśa^1A-kāle^1B = at wrong¹ place^1A and time^1B; apātrebhyaḥ⁴ = to unworthy persons; asat-kṛtam⁷= without formal actions; ca⁵ = and; avajñātam⁸ = with contempt; tāmasam udāhṛtam¹⁰ = is regarded as of the nature of Tamas or darkness. 17.22

17.22: Charity given at the wrong place and time to an unworthy person (the undeserving) without respect and with contempt is said to be Tamasic.

ॐतत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः ।

ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा ॥१७- २३॥

oṁ tat sad iti nirdeśo brahmaṇas trividhaḥ smṛtaḥ
brāhmaṇās tena vedāś ca yajñāś ca vihitāḥ purā 17.23

oṁ tat sat¹ iti² nirdeśaḥ³ brahmaṇaḥ⁴ trividhaḥ⁵ smṛtaḥ⁶
brāhmaṇāḥ⁷ tena⁸ vedāḥ⁹ ca¹⁰ yajñāḥ¹¹ ca¹² vihitāḥ¹³ purā¹⁴ 17.23

oṁ tat sat¹ = Om Tat Sat; smṛtaḥ⁶ = is regarded; iti² = thus; trividhaḥ⁵ = a threefold; nirdeśaḥ³ = appellation; brahmaṇaḥ⁴ = of Brahman; ca¹⁰ = and; brāhmaṇāḥ⁷ = the Brahmanas; vedāḥ⁹ = Vedas; ca¹² = and; yajñāḥ¹¹ = sacrifice; vihitāḥ¹³ = are ordained; tena⁸ = by that [appellation]; purā¹⁴ = formerly or in ancient times.17.23

Om Tat Sat = Supreme-That-Truth.

17.23: OM TAT SAT is regarded as the threefold appellation of Brahman. Accompanying this and at the beginning of creation, the Brahmanas, the Vedas, and the Sacrifices were decreed.

तस्मादोमित्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतपःक्रियाः ।

प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ताः सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ॥१७- २४॥

tasmād om ity udāhṛtya yajñadānatapaḥkriyāḥ
pravartante vidhānoktāḥ satataṁ brahmavādinām 17.24

tasmāt¹ om² iti³ udāhṛtya⁴ yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ⁵
pravartante⁶ vidhāna-uktāḥ⁷ satatam⁸ brahma-vādinām⁹ 17.24

tasmāt¹ = Therefore; yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ⁵ = acts (kriyah) of sacrifice, charity, and austerity; vidhāna-uktāḥ⁷ = according to scriptural injunctions; brahma-vādinām⁹ = of the expounders of Brahman; satatam⁸ = always; pravartante⁶ = are initiated; udāhṛtya⁴ = after incantation of; om² = om; iti³ = thus. 17.24

17.24: Therefore, Veda-ordained sacrifice, charity, and penance are always initiated by incantation of AUM by the teachers (expounder) of Brahman.

तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः ।

दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः ॥१७- २५॥

tad ity anabhisaṁdhāya phalaṁ yajñatapaḥkriyāḥ
dānakriyāś ca vividhāḥ kriyante mokṣakāṅkṣibhiḥ 17.25
tat¹ iti² anabhisandhāya³ phalam⁴ yajña-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ⁵
dāna-kriyāḥ⁶ ca⁷ vividhāḥ⁸ kriyante⁹ mokṣa-kāṅkṣibhiḥ¹⁰ 17.25

[After chanting] tat¹ = THAT [TAT = Brahman]; iti² = thus; yajña-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ⁵ = sacrifice, austerity, and action; ca⁷ = and; vividhāḥ⁸ = various; dāna-kriyāḥ⁶ = charitable acts; kriyante⁹ = are performed; mokṣa-kāṅkṣibhiḥ¹⁰ = by persons wanting liberation; anabhisandhāya³ = without aspiration for; phalam⁴ = fruitive results. 17.25

17.25: The persons longing for moksa do sacrifice, penance, and various acts of charity without seeking the fruits, after incanting "TAT."

सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते ।

प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते ॥१७- २६॥

sadbhāve sādhubhāve ca sad ity etat prayujyate
praśaste karmaṇi tathā sacchabdaḥ pārtha yujyate 17.26

sad-bhāve¹ sādhu-bhāve² ca³ sat⁴ iti⁵ etat⁶ prayujyate⁷
praśaste⁸ karmaṇi⁹ tathā¹⁰ sat-śabdaḥ¹¹ pārtha¹² yujyate¹³ 17.26

etat⁶ = This; [word] sat⁴ = SAT; iti⁵ = thus; prayujyate⁷ = is uttered; [in connection with] sad-bhāve¹ = coming into existence [like birth]; ca³ = and; sādhu-bhāve² = becoming a virtuous person; sat-śabdaḥ¹¹= the sound SAT; yujyate¹³ = is used; tathā¹⁰ = also; [for] praśaste⁸ = an auspicious; karmaṇi⁹ = act; pārtha¹² = O Partha. 17.26

17.26: "SAT" is used in the sense of existence and goodness. The sound "SAT,” O Partha is used for auspicious action.

यज्ञे तपसि दाने च स्थितिः सदिति चोच्यते ।

कर्म चैव तदर्थीयं सदित्येवाभिधीयते ॥१७- २७॥

yajñe tapasi dāne ca sthitiḥ sad iti cocyate
karma caiva tadarthīyaṁ sad ity evābhidhīyate 17.27

yajñe¹ tapasi² dāne³ ca⁴ sthitiḥ⁵ sat⁶ iti⁷ ca⁸ ucyate⁹
karma¹⁰ ca¹¹ eva¹² tat¹³ arthīyam¹⁴ sat¹⁵ iti¹⁶ eva¹⁷ abhidhīyate¹⁸ 17.27

sthitiḥ⁵ = Steadfastness; yajñe¹ = in sacrifice; tapasi² = in austerity; ca⁴ = and; dāne³ = in charity; iti⁷ = thus; ucyate⁹ = is called; sat⁶ = SAT; ca⁸ = and; ca¹¹ = moreover; karma¹⁰ = the act; arthīyam¹⁴ = meant; eva¹² = indeed; [by] tat¹³ = That; eva¹⁷ = indeed; abhidhīyate¹⁸ = is called; iti¹⁶ = thus; sat¹⁵ = SAT.17.27

17.27: Firmness in sacrifice, penance, and charity is also called "SAT." The act serving these is called "SAT."

अश्रद्धया हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत् ।

असदित्युच्यते पार्थ न च तत्प्रेत्य नो इह ॥१७- २८॥

aśraddhayā hutaṁ dattaṁ tapas taptaṁ kṛtaṁ ca yat
asad ity ucyate pārtha na ca tat prepya no iha 17.28

aśraddhayā¹ hutam² dattam³ tapaḥ⁴ taptam⁵ kṛtam⁶ ca⁷ yat⁸
asat⁹ iti¹⁰ ucyate¹¹ pārtha¹² na¹³ ca¹⁴ tat¹⁵ pretya¹⁶ na iha¹⁷ 17.28

[Whatever is] hutam² = offered in sacrifice; dattam³ = given in charity; [whatever] tapaḥ⁴ = austerity; taptam⁵ = is performed; [and] kṛtam⁶ = done; aśraddhayā¹ = without faith; ca⁷ = and; yat⁸= which [whatever]; asat⁹ = untruth; iti¹⁰ = thus; ucyate¹¹ = is said; pārtha¹² = O Partha; ca¹⁴ = moreover; tat¹⁵ = that; [has value] na¹³ = neither; pretya¹⁶ = after demise; na iha¹⁷ = nor in this [life]. 17.28

17.28: Whatever offering, gift, penance, or any other act performed without faith is called "ASAT." It is null and void here or hereafter (after death}.

End BG Chapter 17: Gunas and Faith