Chapter XVII

Arjuna asks Krishna what spiritual state results when people maintain faith and worship while neglecting the prescribed scriptural rules, inquiring specifically about the three qualities (Sattwa, Rajas, Tamas).

Krishna asserts that human faith is threefold in nature, each type springing from and corresponding to one of the three universal qualities, manifesting as true, passion-stained, or dark.

Krishna establishes the principle that a person's faith and religious practice conform exactly to their fundamental nature and qualities, making the worshipper assimilate to what they worship.

Krishna provides examples showing that those of Sattwa worship true gods, those of Rajas worship demigods and nature spirits, and those of Tamas worship ghosts and demons.

Krishna condemns extreme self-imposed austerities that lack scriptural authority, rooted in pride and hypocrisy, as demonic practices that torture the divine elements within the body.

Krishna introduces an extended analogy showing that just as food comes in three types (pure, passion-inducing, and degraded), so too worship, abstinence, and almsgiving have three corresponding forms.

Krishna defines sattwic food as that which brings strength, health, and joy, being well-seasoned, comfortable, and cordial.

Krishna defines rajasic food as that which causes discomfort, inflammation, and restlessness, being overly bitter, heating, salty, and sharp, appealing to excessive appetites.

Krishna defines tamasic food as stale, filthy, savourless, and rotten matter that appeals only to those in spiritual darkness.

Krishna defines sattwic sacrifice as that performed according to proper rules without expectation of reward, undertaken with the conviction that it is one's rightful duty.

Krishna defines rajasic sacrifice as that performed for personal gain, reputation, or public recognition rather than genuine devotion.

Krishna defines tamasic sacrifice as that performed contrary to scriptural law, without proper food offerings, hymns, or priestly compensation, characterized by faithlessness.

Krishna defines sattwic action through enumeration: proper worship, respect for teachers and elders, purity, rectitude, and celibate vows, combined with harmlessness to all beings.

Krishna defines sattwic speech as words that cause no harm, are ever truthful, gentle, and pleasing, including the recitation of sacred scriptures.

Krishna defines sattwic mental discipline as achieving serenity, benevolence, control through silent spirit, and continuous effort to purify one's nature.

Krishna synthesizes that threefold sattwic faith, maintained in highest piety without hope of gain by devoted hearts, constitutes the perfect work of the sattwic quality.

Krishna defines rajasic religion as that displayed through proud acts performed to gain entertainment, worship, and fame from others.

Krishna defines tamasic religion as that followed by dull will, pursued either to torture oneself or to gain power to harm others.

Krishna defines sattwic gift as that given with joy and feeling of obligation, to one unable to repay, at the right time and place, to a worthy recipient.

Krishna defines rajasic gift as that given with expectation of return, for some ulterior purpose, or with reluctance and hidden resentment.

Krishna defines tamasic gift as that thrown harshly at the wrong time and place, to an unworthy recipient, given in disdain and unkindness, which brings no blessing.