The Yoga of the Threefold Faith
Summary:
Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled “Sraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga” or “The Yoga of the Threefold Faith,” explores the nature of faith and how it influences human behavior and spiritual practices. This chapter categorizes faith into three types based on the three gunas (qualities) — Sattva (goodness), Rajas (passion), and Tamas (ignorance) — and explains how these types of faith shape one’s actions, worship, and overall spiritual journey.
The chapter begins with Arjuna asking Lord Krishna about the nature of faith in individuals who do not follow the prescribed Vedic scriptures but still engage in worship with sincerity. Arjuna seeks to understand whether their faith is influenced by Sattva, Rajas, or Tamas.
Krishna responds by explaining that faith is inherent in every individual and is shaped by their inherent nature (Prakriti). The type of faith a person possesses determines their character, actions, and spiritual practices. Krishna categorizes faith into three types:
- Sattvic Faith (Faith in Goodness):
- Individuals with Sattvic faith worship the divine in pure and selfless ways. They are devoted to gods and deities, seeking spiritual growth and enlightenment.
- Their worship is characterized by purity, sincerity, and a desire for inner peace and harmony.
- Sattvic individuals follow a disciplined lifestyle, engage in selfless service, and practice non-violence, truthfulness, and compassion.
- Rajasic Faith (Faith in Passion):
- Individuals with Rajasic faith are driven by desires, ambitions, and material gains. They worship powerful beings and deities associated with wealth, power, and success.
- Their worship is often motivated by personal gain, recognition, and the fulfillment of desires.
- Rajasic individuals are active, restless, and focused on achieving their goals, but they may lack the purity and selflessness of Sattvic faith.
- Tamasic Faith (Faith in Ignorance):
- Individuals with Tamasic faith worship spirits, ghosts, and lower entities. Their practices may involve harmful rituals, superstitions, and a lack of understanding of true spirituality.
- Their worship is characterized by ignorance, fear, and delusion, often leading to negative and destructive behaviors.
- Tamasic individuals are prone to laziness, confusion, and a lack of direction in life.
Krishna emphasizes that the type of faith one possesses influences their dietary habits, sacrifices, austerities, and charity. He explains that:
- Sattvic Foods: Pure, wholesome, and nourishing foods that promote health, vitality, and longevity. These foods are naturally sweet, juicy, and pleasing to the senses.
- Rajasic Foods: Foods that are overly spicy, sour, salty, or bitter, leading to restlessness, agitation, and discomfort. These foods stimulate the senses and increase desires.
- Tamasic Foods: Stale, tasteless, and impure foods that cause lethargy, confusion, and illness. These foods lack freshness and vitality.
Krishna also describes the nature of sacrifices (Yajna), austerities (Tapas), and charity (Dana) based on the three gunas:
- Sattvic Sacrifices: Performed with devotion, without expectation of rewards, and in accordance with scriptural injunctions.
- Rajasic Sacrifices: Performed with the desire for personal gain, recognition, and material benefits.
- Tamasic Sacrifices: Performed without proper understanding, disregarding scriptural guidelines, and often causing harm.
- Sattvic Austerities: Practiced with self-discipline, purity, and a focus on spiritual growth.
- Rajasic Austerities: Practiced with the intention of gaining power, respect, and admiration from others.
- Tamasic Austerities: Practiced with self-torture, delusion, and harmful intentions.
- Sattvic Charity: Given selflessly, with compassion, and to those in genuine need, without expecting anything in return.
- Rajasic Charity: Given with the expectation of receiving something in return or gaining recognition and praise.
- Tamasic Charity: Given reluctantly, with contempt, and to unworthy recipients, often causing harm.
Krishna concludes the chapter by emphasizing the importance of performing all actions with the utterance of “Om Tat Sat,” which signifies the ultimate reality and truth. By dedicating actions to the divine and performing them with sincerity and faith, individuals can transcend the influence of the gunas and attain spiritual liberation.
In summary, Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita, “Sraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga,” provides a comprehensive understanding of the nature of faith and its influence on human behavior and spiritual practices. Krishna categorizes faith into Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic, explaining how each type shapes one’s actions, worship, and overall spiritual journey. This chapter serves as a guide for seekers to cultivate pure and selfless faith, leading to spiritual growth, inner peace, and ultimate liberation.