Introduction: The Nature of Faith (श्रद्धा)
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Shraddha Traya Vibhag Yoga, examines the threefold division of faith – Sattvic (pure), Rajasic (passionate), and Tamasic (ignorant). Lord Krishna explains that one’s faith aligns with the nature of their mind and directly influences the food they eat, the austerities they perform, the sacrifices they undertake, and the charity they give.
🔗 Read Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17
1. The Origin of Faith and Its Three Types (BG 17.2–3)
“The faith of all living beings is shaped by their nature, O Arjun. Faith conforms to the nature of each being, and a person is what their faith is.”
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.3
Alternate Examples of the Three Types of Faith
1. Shabari’s Sattvic Faith – Rooted in Guru’s Words
In the Ramayan, Shabari stands as a timeless symbol of pure, selfless devotion—an embodiment of Sattvic faith.
🔹 Background: A Humble Devotee
Shabari was a tribal woman who came from a simple, uneducated background. She had no scriptural knowledge or rituals to perform. Yet, her heart was filled with divine love, humility, and surrender.
When she came in contact with Rishi Matanga, she surrendered completely at his feet. Before his passing, the sage gave her a final instruction:
“Wait here, child. One day, Lord Ram will come to see you.”
🔹 Faith in the Guru’s Words
These were just a few words—but for Shabari, they became her life’s purpose.
She waited for years, holding on to her Guru’s instruction with complete trust and love.
There were no signs, no external assurances, and she had nothing to gain materially. Yet she never questioned, never doubted, and never gave up.
This is the essence of Sattvic faith as defined in the Bhagavad Gita:
“A person is what their faith is. Faith in the mode of goodness is steady, undemanding, and aligned with truth.”
How Shabari's Faith Was Sattvic
| Quality | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Pure Intentions | She desired nothing but the darshan (sight) of Lord Ram—not wealth, fame, or power. |
| Obedience to Guru | Her entire devotion was based on the Guru’s words, which she followed unquestioningly. |
| Patience and Perseverance | She waited year after year, preparing flowers and fruits daily for her Lord with love. |
| No Ego or Pride | Though she performed intense devotion, she never considered herself superior or deserving. |
| Spiritual Simplicity | Without rituals or knowledge, her heart remained aligned with divine love—Bhav Bhakti. |
The Moment of Divine Grace
When Lord Ram finally arrived at her hut, He embraced her devotion with immense love, accepting her humble offerings of tasted berries—something unthinkable by ritualistic standards.
He did not look at her birth, caste, or external cleanliness. He looked at her faith, love, and sincerity.
“I am hungry, Shabari. Give me what you have prepared.” – Lord Ram
This one line shows how Sattvic faith attracts the Lord Himself.
Lesson:
In a world often driven by results and recognition, Shabari teaches us that true devotion is not measured by status or knowledge, but by:
- Unquestioning faith in the Guru and God
- Selfless intention
- Purity of heart
- Steady patience without expectation
Sattvic faith, like hers, transforms the heart and invites the Divine to dwell within.
2. Rajasic Faith: Rajasic Fire in Vishvamitra
Vishvamitra, once a king, had embarked on an intense spiritual path—not for God-realization, but to outshine Rishi Vasishtha, the one man whose spiritual superiority wounded his pride. His faith, though intense, was rajasic—driven by ego, rivalry, ambition, and the desire to become a Brahmarishi (the highest spiritual title).
Despite performing great austerities and acquiring immense yogic powers, he remained restless, unsatisfied, and internally agitated, because Vasishtha never acknowledged his spiritual status. That recognition mattered to Vishvamitra more than any other blessing.
The Turning Point – A Night of Hidden Intentions
One night, filled with long-harbored resentment, Vishvamitra secretly approached Vasishtha’s hermitage, hiding in the shadows with a deadly intent to kill the sage. His mind burned with envy: “This man has always stood in my way. If he is gone, I will finally be the greatest.”
But destiny had a different plan.
The Conversation Inside the Hut
From his hiding spot, Vishvamitra overheard a divine exchange between Vasishtha and his noble wife Arundhati.
She asked lovingly,
“Dear husband, among all the sages on Earth today, who do you consider the greatest?”
Vasishtha paused and replied with deep sincerity:
“It is Vishvamitra. His tapas is unmatched. His intellect and potential are glorious. He will truly become the greatest sage—only if he learns to conquer his anger and envy.”
The Moment of Heart-Melting Grace
Hearing these unexpected, generous words from the very person he despised, Vishvamitra was stunned.
- No sarcasm.
- No bitterness.
- Just truth, admiration, and compassion.
Vasishtha had no ill feelings, despite all that Vishvamitra had done to him. At that moment, the veil of ego shattered in Vishvamitra’s heart.
He dropped his weapon.
Tears welled up in his eyes.
He bowed down in his heart—not just to Vasishtha, but to the truth of dharma and humility.
The Beginning of Sattvic Faith
From that moment onward, Vishvamitra’s faith began to evolve from rajasic to sattvic:
| Rajasic Faith (Before) | Sattvic Faith (After) |
|---|---|
| Driven by ego and comparison | Motivated by self-purification and divine love |
| Desired recognition and title | Let go of expectations and surrendered to truth |
| Restless, competitive, and intense | Peaceful, forgiving, and detached |
| Faith in penance for power | Faith in penance for purity and union with God |
| Saw Vasishtha as a rival | Saw Vasishtha as a guide and well-wisher |
Vishvamitra now practiced austerities with inner sincerity, no longer seeking validation. Years passed in genuine spiritual striving.
Culmination: The Title of Brahmarishi
One day, after years of silent inner transformation, Vasishtha himself came forward and joyfully declared:
“Vishvamitra, today you are truly a Brahmarishi. You have conquered not the heavens, but your own lower nature.”
That recognition meant the most—because it came not from flattery, but from a heart that once competed with him, now respecting him as an equal.
Spiritual Lesson
“A person is what their faith is.” — Bhagavad Gita 17.3
Faith evolves with our inner purification. Even rajasic faith—fueled by ego and ambition—can become sattvic, if we learn to:
- Accept truth with humility
- Recognize the faults within us
- Let go of rivalry
- Seek God, not glory
Just like Vishvamitra, each of us can transform our lower nature into divine strength, when we let grace, humility, and inner light guide our path.
3. Tamasic Faith – Surpanakha
Surpanakha, Ravana’s sister, pursued her desires impulsively and vengefully.
Her so-called faith in her brother’s power and protection was blind, aggressive, and rooted in ignorance.
When denied by Lord Ram, she resorted to revenge and deception.
👉 Tamasic faith leads to chaos, violence, and degradation—it thrives in delusion.
Lesson:
Not all faith is equal. Its quality determines whether it elevates or binds us.
To progress spiritually, we must consciously nurture sattvic faith—one that is selfless, devoted, and aligned with truth.
2. Types of Worship According to Gunas (BG 17.4–6)
Sattvic people worship celestial gods, Rajasic people worship yakshas and rakshasas, and Tamasic people may even worship ghosts and spirits.
Puranic Example: The Story of Daksha Yajna (Shiv Puran)
King Daksha, influenced by ego (rajas), performed a yajna excluding Lord Shiva. His pride led to his downfall when Shiva’s wrath destroyed the sacrifice. Faith in rituals without devotion becomes destructive.
🧘 Patanjali Yog Sutra Insight:
Patanjali warns against avidya (ignorance) and the belief that ego-based austerities or power-seeking worship lead to liberation. Only sattvic devotion purifies.
✨ Lesson:
The object of worship reveals your inner inclination. Sattvic faith brings you closer to the Divine. Rajasic and Tamasic faith can lead to bondage or harm if unchecked by wisdom.
3. The Impact of Food on Mind and Faith (BG 17.7–10)
“Foods that increase life, purity, strength, health, joy, and satisfaction are sattvic...”
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.7
🍲 The Threefold Foods:
- Sattvic: Fresh, juicy, nourishing – promote clarity and peace.
- Rajasic: Spicy, sour, very hot – promote restlessness.
- Tamasic: Stale, impure – promote inertia.
🕉️ Mahabharat Reference:
Bhima, known for his rajasic nature, often preferred heavy, spicy meals, which reflected his temperament. In contrast, sages like Vidura and Yudhishthir preferred simple sattvic food, which helped maintain equanimity.
🧘 Saint’s Example:
Sant Tulsidas avoided rich or tamasic food as he believed it affected his devotional state. He once said, “What goes into the mouth influences what comes out of the heart.”
✨ Lesson:
Food is not just physical nourishment; it shapes consciousness and devotion. Regulating food is essential for inner purity.
4. Sacrifices (Yajnas) Performed According to Gunas (BG 17.11–13)
- Sattvic Yajna: Without expectation of reward, done with faith and scriptural guidance.
- Rajasic Yajna: Done for personal gain and prestige.
- Tamasic Yajna: Done without mantras, food, or reverence.
📖 Ramayan Insight:
When Bharat ruled Ayodhya in Ram’s absence, he conducted sattvic yajnas – offering the fruits to Lord Ram with no personal expectation. It was pure devotion.
Contrast this with Ravana, who did sacrifices for power and control – a classic example of tamasic yajna.
✨ Lesson:
Yajna is symbolic of all our actions. When actions are done selflessly for God, they purify us. When done for ego, they entangle us.
5. Threefold Austerity: Body, Speech, and Mind (BG 17.14–16)
Tapas or austerity is of three types:
- Kaya Tapas (Body): Worship, cleanliness, celibacy.
- Vachik Tapas (Speech): Truth, pleasantness, beneficial.
- Manas Tapas (Mind): Serenity, self-restraint, silence.
📚 Upanishadic Link:
The Chandogya Upanishad declares: “Speech rooted in truth, mind rooted in peace, and action rooted in selflessness — such is divine life.”
🧘 Life of Indian Saint:
Sant Eknath was known for his speech austerity. Even when insulted repeatedly, he responded with compassion. His tapas of speech and mind elevated him to divine realization.
✨ Lesson:
Tapasya is not torturing the body but refining our personality — body, speech, and thoughts — into instruments of God.
6. Threefold Austerity According to Gunas (BG 17.17–19)
- Sattvic Tapas: Performed with firm resolve and devotion.
- Rajasic Tapas: For name, fame, and respect.
- Tamasic Tapas: Self-torture or to harm others.
Sattvic Tapas: Example from the Story of Bhagirath
Sattvic tapas is the highest form of austerity, performed with unwavering faith, mental clarity, and without any selfish motive — only for the welfare of others and to please the Supreme.
One of the most iconic examples of sattvic tapas in Hindu tradition is the story of King Bhagirath, whose penance brought the celestial river Ganga down to Earth.
🕉️ The Story:
King Bhagirath was a noble descendant of the Suryavansha (Solar Dynasty). His ancestors had been cursed and turned to ash, unable to attain liberation. The only way to redeem them was to bring the holy Ganga down from the heavens so that her purifying waters could sanctify their souls.
To fulfill this sacred duty, Bhagirath renounced all royal comforts and undertook severe penance — meditating and praying with single-minded focus for thousands of years. His austerity was not for personal gain but to uplift his ancestors’ souls — a selfless act rooted in duty and devotion.
Touched by his devotion, Lord Brahma agreed to send Ganga down to Earth. But the force of her descent would have destroyed the Earth. So Bhagirath again performed tapas, this time to please Lord Shiva, who agreed to catch Ganga in His matted locks and gently release her to Earth.
Eventually, Ganga flowed down, purified the ashes of Bhagirath’s ancestors, and granted them liberation.
🙏 Why this is Sattvic Tapas:
- 💠 Performed with a pure heart and clear intention — to serve others, not self.
- 💠 Done with unwavering resolve and immense patience over thousands of years.
- 💠 Dedicated to pleasing God and fulfilling dharma.
- 💠 Free from ego, pride, or desire for recognition.
Even today, the Ganga is known as “Bhagirathi” in honor of Bhagirath’s selfless penance.
Example of Tamasic Tapas: Hiranyakashipu’s Austerity to Conquer the Universe
Hiranyakashipu, the demon king and brother of Hiranyaksha, was filled with revenge and hatred toward Lord Vishnu, who had slain his brother. Consumed by ego and a desire to become immortal, he undertook severe penances to gain invincible powers and dominance over all beings.
He stood still in meditation for thousands of years, holding his breath, exposing himself to sun, rain, snow, and fire — until his body was covered with ants and vegetation, and even his flesh had decayed.
📖 Why This Tapas is Tamasic:
As defined in Bhagavad Gita 17.19:
“Austerity performed out of foolish obstinacy, or with self-torture, or with the intention to destroy or injure others is said to be tamasic.”
🔗 BG 17.19
- Hiranyakashipu’s intent was not spiritual elevation but to take revenge against God.
- His tapas was motivated by hatred, arrogance, and violence.
- His goal was to gain boons and rule the world by terror, not to purify the self.
Eventually, Brahma granted him a conditional boon, but his tamasic tapas led to his self-destruction at the hands of Lord Narasimha, who emerged to uphold dharma and protect the devotee Prahlad.
✨ Lesson:
The intention behind austerity determines whether it elevates or destroys.Even the most severe penance is futile if it’s performed with ignorance, hatred, or violence. True tapas purifies the heart; tamasic tapas only inflates ego and hastens downfall.
7. Threefold Charity (Dana) According to Gunas (BG 17.20–22)
- Sattvic Dana: Given with no expectation, to the right person, at the right time.
- Rajasic Dana: Given for recognition or gain.
- Tamasic Dana: Given at the wrong place, time, or to unworthy recipients.
Types of Charity (Dāna) in the Bhagavad Gita
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.20–22
- Sattvic Dana:
Given with pure intention, at the right place and time, to a worthy recipient, without expectation.
📖 Mahabharat Example:
Yudhishthir’s charity during the Rajasuya Yagna was sattvic — offered with humility, devotion, and a deep sense of dharma. - Rajasic Dana:
Given with pride, expectation of reward, or desire for recognition.
📖 Mahabharat Example:
Duryodhana’s charitable acts were often rajasic — driven by ego, competition, or the desire to outshine the Pandavas, rather than genuine compassion. - Tamasic Dana:
Given at the wrong time or place, to unworthy people, or with contempt.
📖 Mahabharat Example:
Charity done impulsively or to support adharma — such as gifts to flatter wicked allies — falls into the tamasic category.
🧘 Saint’s Life: King Rantideva
He gave away all his food after fasting for days. Even when a poor man asked for water, he gave that last bit joyfully. He said, “Let me suffer, but let no being suffer because of me.” That is sattvic dana.
✨ Lesson:
Charity should purify both the giver and the recipient. If ego grows after giving, it is not true dana.
8. The Power of OM-TAT-SAT (BG 17.23–26)
These three syllables signify the Supreme:
- OM: Symbol of Brahman – used in sattvic yajnas.
- TAT: Means “That” – done for the sake of God, not self.
- SAT: Denotes truth, virtue, and existence.
📖 Ramayan Insight:
While performing yajnas, Sage Vishwamitra chanted these sacred words to sanctify the sacrifice. Without these divine invocations, rituals lose potency.
🧘 Upanishadic Echo:
The Mandukya Upanishad glorifies "OM" as the seed of all mantras and the essence of the Self. Everything emerges from and dissolves into OM.
✨ Lesson:
OM-TAT-SAT purifies actions and aligns us with the Absolute. Chanting or remembering these syllables helps center the mind in divinity.
9. The Fate of Actions Without Faith (BG 17.28)
“Whatever is done without faith, O Arjun, is called ‘asat’—it is fruitless both in this life and the next.”
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.28
📖 Story from Puranas:
Once a man performed a yajna to attain heaven but did not believe in the rituals. At death, he saw no celestial beings come for him. His lack of faith rendered all actions null. Lord Yama explained that actions without shraddha are like seeds sown on stone.
✨ Lesson:
Even the greatest of efforts mean nothing if there is no sincere faith behind them. Faith gives life and energy to our actions.
Conclusion: Cultivate Sattvic Faith to Progress Spiritually
Chapter 17 of the Gita teaches that the quality of one’s faith determines one’s destiny. Whether in eating, worship, speech, or charity — the key is shraddha. This shraddha, when aligned with sattva guna, purifies and uplifts the soul.
🕉️ Final Takeaway from Bhagavad Gita 17:
“Man is what his shraddha is.” (BG 17.3)
In the spiritual life, what you believe, you become. May we all cultivate sattvic faith — grounded in truth, selflessness, and divine devotion — to attain peace and union with the Supreme.
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FAQs
1. What is Shraddha Traya Vibhag Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita?
Shraddha Traya Vibhag Yoga, Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita, discusses the threefold division of faith (shraddha) – sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic – and how they influence one’s actions, worship, food habits, charity, and austerities.
2. How does Lord Krishna describe the types of faith in Chapter 17 of the Gita?
Lord Krishna explains that faith arises from one's inherent nature (prakriti) and aligns with the three gunas (qualities) — sattva (purity), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance). Each type of faith leads to different life outcomes.
3. What is the role of food in shaping faith according to Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17?
Chapter 17 classifies food into sattvic (pure), rajasic (stimulating), and tamasic (decomposed). The food one consumes affects the clarity of mind and quality of faith, ultimately influencing spiritual growth.
4. What do OM, TAT, and SAT represent in the Bhagavad Gita?
OM, TAT, and SAT are sacred syllables described in Chapter 17. OM denotes Brahman, TAT implies selfless action done for the Divine, and SAT represents eternal truth. They sanctify actions and lead to liberation.
5. How does Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 relate to daily life and spirituality?
This chapter teaches how one’s faith and nature govern behavior — from speech and charity to food and austerity. Aligning with sattvic faith refines character, promotes inner peace, and leads to God-realization.
Reference Links from Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17
- Faith follows nature (shraddha of different gunas):
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.3 - Types of worship based on gunas:
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.4 - Food classification by gunas (sattvic, rajasic, tamasic):
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.7
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.8
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.9
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.10 - Sacrifices according to gunas:
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.11
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.12
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.13 - Austerities of body, speech, and mind:
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.14
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.15
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.16 - Austerities as per the three gunas:
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.17
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.18
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.19 - Charity according to gunas:
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.20
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.21
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.22 - Significance of OM, TAT, and SAT:
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.23
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.24
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.25
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.26 - Fate of actions without faith:
🔗 Bhagavad Gita 17.28
