Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 17 Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah

सत्कारमानपूजार्थं तपो दम्भेन चैव यत् |
क्रियते तदिह प्रोक्तं राजसं चलमध्रुवम् ||18||

Austerity practiced with hypocrisy, expecting honor and respect, is rajasic. It is unstable and fleeting.

Satkara: Seeking honor and recognition.
Dambhena: Hypocritical or ostentatious actions.
Rajasam Tapa: Austerities performed for status or rewards.

Rajasic austerities, performed for honor or recognition, are fleeting and unstable. Krishna warns that spiritual discipline must come from within rather than being a performance for others, subtly critiquing those who seek validation through religious acts.

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मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तप: |
परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ||19||

Austerity practiced with foolishness, involving self-torture or harming others, is considered tamasic.

Mudha-Grahena: Foolish adherence to harsh penances.
Atmano Pida: Self-inflicted suffering.
Tamasam Tapa: Austerities that cause harm to oneself or others.

Tamasic austerities, rooted in ignorance and self-torture, ultimately serve no higher purpose. Krishna warns against blind adherence to extreme penances that harm rather than uplift, reinforcing the importance of wisdom in spiritual practice.

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Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah - Charity given as a duty, at the right time, to the right recipient, without expecting anything in return, is sattvic charity.

दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे |
देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ||20||

Charity given as a duty, at the right time, to the right recipient, without expecting anything in return, is sattvic charity.

Datavyam: The principle of rightful giving.
Desha-Kala: Right place and right time for charity.
Patra: A worthy recipient of charity.

Charity, when given selflessly and at the right time and place, embodies sattvic giving. Krishna’s teaching emphasizes the virtue of generosity without attachment, reinforcing the idea that true charity is an offering to the divine, not an investment in social status.

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यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुन: |
दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् ||21||

Charity given unwillingly, expecting something in return, or with regret, is considered rajasic.

Pratyupakara: Expecting something in return for charity.
Pariklishtam: Charity given unwillingly.
Rajasam Danam: Charity given with selfish motives.

Rajasic charity is driven by expectation—whether of recognition or return favors. Krishna critiques this transactional mindset, implying that generosity loses its essence when tainted by selfish motives.

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अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते |
असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ||22||

Charity given at the wrong time, to the wrong recipient, without respect, or with disdain, is tamasic.

Adesha-Kale: Improper timing and place for charity.
Apatre: Giving to an unworthy recipient.
Asatkritam: Charity given disrespectfully or without sincerity.

Tamasic charity, given disrespectfully or to unworthy causes, serves no real purpose. Krishna’s distinction between different types of giving highlights that even acts of kindness must be performed with discernment and sincerity.

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Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah - The threefold divine expression "Om Tat Sat" was used to indicate the Absolute Truth, and by this, priests, scriptures, and sacrifices were established in the past.

ॐ तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविध: स्मृत: |
ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिता: पुरा ||23||

The threefold divine expression "Om Tat Sat" was used to indicate the Absolute Truth, and by this, priests, scriptures, and sacrifices were established in the past.

Om Tat Sat: Sacred sounds representing the Absolute Truth.
Brahmana: The priestly class associated with knowledge.
Veda: Ancient scriptures containing divine knowledge.

The sacred syllables "Om Tat Sat" hold deep significance, symbolizing divine truth. Krishna now shifts to the metaphysical aspect of offerings, suggesting that true spiritual acts are connected to these eternal principles, reinforcing their transcendental importance.

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Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah - Therefore, acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity prescribed by scripture are always begun with the utterance of "Om" by seekers of the Supreme.

तस्माद् ॐ इत्युदाहृत्य यज्ञदानतप:क्रिया: |
प्रवर्तन्ते विधानोक्ता: सततं ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ||24||

Therefore, acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity prescribed by scripture are always begun with the utterance of "Om" by seekers of the Supreme.

Yajna Dana Tapa: Sacrifice, charity, and austerity.
Brahma Vadina: Seekers of the ultimate truth.
Om: The primordial sound symbolizing the universe.

By invoking "Om," righteous acts such as sacrifice, charity, and austerity align with higher consciousness. Krishna’s teaching stresses that intention and divine remembrance transform ordinary deeds into spiritual offerings.

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