Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 17 Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah

Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah - Those who practice severe austerities, not prescribed by scripture, out of hypocrisy and egoism, driven by desire and attachment, are misguided.

अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जना: |
दम्भाहङ्कारसंयुक्ता: कामरागबलान्विता: ||5||

Those who practice severe austerities, not prescribed by scripture, out of hypocrisy and egoism, driven by desire and attachment, are misguided.

Tapo Janah: People engaged in austerities or penances.
Ahankara: Ego or sense of self-importance.
Dambha: Hypocrisy or false pride in spiritual practices.

Krishna critiques extreme austerities performed out of pride and ego rather than sincere devotion. Self-imposed suffering, if not grounded in wisdom, leads to spiritual degradation rather than progress. This warning is crucial, as misguided practices can appear disciplined yet result in harmful consequences for both body and soul.

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Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah - Foolish people, torturing the body and harming the soul within, also dishonor Me, dwelling in their body. Know them as demonic-minded.

कर्षयन्त: शरीरस्थं भूतग्राममचेतस: |
मां चैवान्त:शरीरस्थं तान्विद्ध्यासुरनिश्चयान् ||6||

Foolish people, torturing the body and harming the soul within, also dishonor Me, dwelling in their body. Know them as demonic-minded.

Karshayan: Self-mortification or extreme asceticism.
Bhuta-Grama: The collective of all living beings.
Asura Nishchaya: Demonic tendencies or nature in individuals.

Taking the critique further, Krishna reveals that those who harm their own bodies in the name of spirituality actually insult the divine presence within. This highlights an often-misunderstood aspect of spiritual discipline—genuine tapasya enhances life, whereas misguided penance arises from ignorance and leads to suffering.

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Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah - The food preferences of all people are of three kinds—similarly, sacrifices, austerities, and charity are of three types. Listen to their differences.

आहारस्त्वपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रिय: |
यज्ञस्तपस्तथा दानं तेषां भेदमिमं शृणु ||7||

The food preferences of all people are of three kinds—similarly, sacrifices, austerities, and charity are of three types. Listen to their differences.

Ahara: Food, which is categorized by its effect on mind and body.
Yajna: Sacrificial rituals performed for spiritual growth.
Dana: Acts of charity or giving.

Krishna transitions into the impact of one’s nature on everyday choices, beginning with food. Just as faith reflects one’s inner disposition, dietary preferences also align with one’s spiritual and mental state. The discussion underscores that not only actions but even consumption patterns influence one’s spiritual evolution.

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Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah - Sattvic people prefer foods that increase life, strength, health, joy, and happiness—those that are juicy, smooth, substantial, and pleasant.

आयु:सत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धना: |
रस्या: स्निग्धा: स्थिरा हृद्या आहारा: सात्त्विकप्रिया: ||8||

Sattvic people prefer foods that increase life, strength, health, joy, and happiness—those that are juicy, smooth, substantial, and pleasant.

Rasya: Foods that are nourishing and pleasant.
Snigdha: Oily or moist foods preferred in sattvic diet.
Hridya: Foods that bring satisfaction and contentment.

Sattvic food is described as nourishing, pleasant, and life-enhancing, supporting both physical health and mental clarity. This underscores the idea that true spirituality is not about rejecting bodily well-being but about cultivating habits that foster inner harmony, self-control, and a balanced way of living.

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Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah - Rajasic people like foods that are very bitter, sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry, and burning, which cause pain, grief, and disease.

कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिन: |
आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दु:खशोकामयप्रदा: ||9||

Rajasic people like foods that are very bitter, sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry, and burning, which cause pain, grief, and disease.

Tikshna: Extremely pungent or spicy foods.
Ruksha: Dry foods that create restlessness.
Vidahinah: Foods that cause burning sensations or discomfort.

Rajasic foods, while flavorful and stimulating, create restlessness and agitation. Krishna’s teaching highlights how dietary choices extend beyond taste to influence emotions and thought patterns. This insight suggests that those seeking mental peace should be mindful of the nature of the food they consume.

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यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् |
उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम् ||10||

Tamasic people prefer food that is stale, tasteless, foul-smelling, decomposed, left overnight, and unclean.

Yatayamam: Food that has lost its essence and vitality.
Puti: Putrid or decomposed food.
Amedhyam: Impure and unclean food unfit for consumption.

Tamasic food, characterized by impurity and decay, not only lacks nourishment but also dulls the mind and weakens the body. This warning aligns with broader spiritual teachings that stress the importance of purity, not just in thoughts and actions but in sustenance, reinforcing the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being.

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Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah - A sattvic sacrifice is performed according to scriptural rules, without expectation of reward, with a focused mind, simply as an offering to the divine.

अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते |
यष्टव्यमेवेति मन: समाधाय स सात्त्विक: ||11||

A sattvic sacrifice is performed according to scriptural rules, without expectation of reward, with a focused mind, simply as an offering to the divine.

Aphala Kankshi: A person who performs sacrifice without seeking rewards.
Vidhidrishta: Sacrifices done as per scriptural injunctions.
Samadhaya: Having a firm and focused mind.

Krishna now shifts to sacrifices, emphasizing that sattvic yajnas are performed selflessly, following scriptural guidelines, and without expectation of rewards. This reinforces the central theme of the Gita—that detachment from the fruits of actions is the key to true spiritual advancement.

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