Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 17 Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah

मन: प्रसाद: सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रह: |
भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते ||16||

Mental austerity consists of calmness, gentleness, silence, self-control, and purity of thought.

Manah-Prasada: Mental peace and tranquility.
Maunam: Silence or self-restraint in speech.
Bhava-Samshuddhi: Purity of inner thoughts and intentions.

Mental austerity is the most subtle yet powerful form of discipline. Krishna highlights that real transformation begins within—through inner peace, purity of thought, and self-control. By emphasizing mental refinement, he shifts the focus from external acts to internal mastery as the highest form of tapasya.

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Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah - Austerity practiced with firm faith, without expecting rewards, only for purification, is called sattvic austerity.

श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरै: |
अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तै: सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते ||17||

Austerity practiced with firm faith, without expecting rewards, only for purification, is called sattvic austerity.

Paraya Shraddha: Deep and sincere faith.
Aphala-Kankshi: One who does not seek rewards.
Tapas Sattvikam: Austerities done with purity and sincerity.

True austerity is not about suffering or self-inflicted pain, but about sincere discipline rooted in faith and purity. Krishna underscores that sattvic austerities, performed with devotion and detachment from rewards, yield the greatest spiritual benefits.

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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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