Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 17 Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah

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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Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah - A rajasic sacrifice is performed with an expectation of rewards and for show, with an arrogant and selfish motive, desiring recognition.

अभिसन्धाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत् |
इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम् ||12||

A rajasic sacrifice is performed with an expectation of rewards and for show, with an arrogant and selfish motive, desiring recognition.

Dambhartham: Acts performed for show and recognition.
Phala: Desire for fruits or rewards from actions.
Yajnam Rajasam: A sacrifice done with materialistic motives.

Rajasic sacrifices are driven by material desires and social recognition. This insight warns against external religious displays that lack true devotion. Krishna subtly challenges the tendency to engage in rituals for personal gain rather than as a genuine offering to the divine.

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Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah - A tamasic sacrifice is performed against scriptural injunctions, without food offerings, without proper mantras, without faith, and devoid of devotion.

विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम् |
श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते ||13||

A tamasic sacrifice is performed against scriptural injunctions, without food offerings, without proper mantras, without faith, and devoid of devotion.

Vidhi-Hinam: Sacrifices performed without adherence to scriptures.
Shraddha-Virahitam: Offerings made without faith or sincerity.
Tamasam: Ignorant and misguided rituals.

Tamasic sacrifices, performed without proper knowledge, faith, or sincerity, highlight the lowest form of spiritual engagement. Krishna’s words here serve as a reminder that not all religious acts are beneficial—when performed incorrectly or without true intent, they yield little to no spiritual progress.

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Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah - Physical austerity consists of revering the gods, the wise, the teachers, and the learned, as well as maintaining purity, honesty, celibacy, and non-violence.

देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम् |
ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते ||14||

Physical austerity consists of revering the gods, the wise, the teachers, and the learned, as well as maintaining purity, honesty, celibacy, and non-violence.

Prajna: A person with wisdom or intelligence.
Shaucham: Purity of body and mind.
Brahmacharya: Celibacy or control over desires.

Krishna expands on the concept of austerity, beginning with physical discipline. True tapasya involves purity, self-restraint, and respect for wisdom rather than extreme self-denial. This teaching broadens the perspective on spiritual discipline, advocating a balanced, thoughtful approach over rigid asceticism.

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