Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 17 Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah

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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Sraddha Traya Vibhaga Yogah - Sacrifice, austerity, and charity performed without desire for rewards, but for spiritual liberation, are done with the utterance of "Tat".

तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतप:क्रिया: |
दानक्रियाश्च विविधा: क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभि: ||25||

Sacrifice, austerity, and charity performed without desire for rewards, but for spiritual liberation, are done with the utterance of "Tat".

Tad: A principle representing detachment.
Moksha-Kankshi: A person desiring liberation.
Yajna-Tapa-Kriya: Ritualistic activities aimed at spiritual growth.

The syllable "Tat" signifies detachment from rewards, reinforcing that true spiritual practice must transcend selfish desires. Krishna’s words clarify that the highest form of giving and discipline is that which expects nothing in return.

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