Bhagavad Gita > Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga

Introduction

Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga, the seventeenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, delves into the nature of faith (Shraddha) and its manifestations in human behavior and practices. Known as the “Yoga of the Threefold Faith,” this chapter explores how faith influences a person’s actions, lifestyle, and spiritual path. Krishna categorizes faith into three types corresponding to the three gunas (qualities of nature): Sattva (goodness), Rajas (passion), and Tamas (ignorance). This chapter provides insights into the role of faith in shaping one’s spiritual journey and ethical conduct.

Historical Context

The Bhagavad Gita, a crucial part of the Indian epic Mahabharata, is a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Composed by Sage Vyasa, the Gita addresses Arjuna’s moral and spiritual dilemmas. Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga comes after several chapters discussing the nature of the self, the universe, and the paths to liberation. This chapter reflects the historical and cultural context of ancient India, where the concept of faith was integral to spiritual and daily life. Understanding the nature and quality of faith was seen as essential for personal growth and spiritual development.

Verse 1-4: The Nature of Faith

Arjuna begins by asking Krishna about the nature of those who worship with faith but do not follow the prescribed Vedic scriptures. Krishna explains that faith arises from a person’s inherent nature, influenced by the three gunas. He categorizes faith into three types:

Sattvic Faith: Directed towards the divine, characterized by purity and wisdom.
Rajasic Faith: Driven by desire and passion, often directed towards power and material gains.
Tamasic Faith: Rooted in ignorance and darkness, leading to harmful and destructive practices.

Verse 5-10: The Threefold Nature of Sacrifice, Austerity, and Charity

Krishna elaborates on how the three types of faith manifest in sacrifices (yajna), austerities (tapas), and charity (dana):

Sattvic Sacrifice: Performed according to scriptural injunctions, without desire for rewards, and with a pure heart.
Rajasic Sacrifice: Conducted for the sake of ostentation and seeking material benefits.
Tamasic Sacrifice: Done without regard for proper procedure, devoid of faith, and often involving harm.
Sattvic Austerity: Practiced with purity, self-discipline, and in accordance with spiritual principles.
Rajasic Austerity: Performed for gaining respect, honor, and reverence from others.
Tamasic Austerity: Involves self-torture or harming others, driven by ignorance.
Sattvic Charity: Given selflessly, at the right place and time, to a worthy recipient, without expecting anything in return.
Rajasic Charity: Done with reluctance, seeking recognition or expecting returns.
Tamasic Charity: Given disrespectfully, at the wrong place and time, to unworthy recipients, causing harm.

Verse 11-19: The Threefold Nature of Food

Krishna describes how the three types of faith influence dietary preferences:

Sattvic Food: Promotes longevity, health, strength, happiness, and satisfaction. It is fresh, nourishing, and agreeable.
Rajasic Food: Characterized by bitterness, sourness, saltiness, spiciness, and heat, leading to pain, grief, and disease.
Tamasic Food: Stale, tasteless, putrid, and impure, causing lethargy and disease.

Verse 20-22: The Threefold Nature of Charity

Krishna revisits the concept of charity, emphasizing that:

Sattvic Charity: Is given with the right attitude, without expectation, and with a sense of duty.
Rajasic Charity: Is given reluctantly or with a desire for reward or recognition.
Tamasic Charity: Is given disdainfully, at the wrong place and time, to unworthy recipients.

Verse 23-28: The Importance of Om, Tat, and Sat

Krishna explains the significance of the sacred syllables “Om,” “Tat,” and “Sat,” which represent different aspects of the divine and are used in various spiritual practices. These syllables symbolize the eternal truth and are invoked in sacrifices, austerities, and acts of charity. Krishna emphasizes that actions performed without faith, regardless of their nature, are ineffective and fruitless. True faith, aligned with the divine, sanctifies and empowers all actions.

Philosophical Significance

Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga offers a detailed understanding of the nature of faith and its influence on human behavior and spiritual practices. This chapter teaches that faith is inherently shaped by the three gunas and manifests in various aspects of life, including sacrifices, austerities, and charity. Krishna emphasizes the importance of cultivating sattvic faith, which leads to purity, wisdom, and spiritual growth. By understanding the nature and quality of one’s faith, individuals can align their actions with higher spiritual principles and achieve true inner transformation and liberation.

Additional Resources

The Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation by Stephen Mitchell
Bhagavad-gita As It Is by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Essence of the Bhagavad Gita: A Contemporary Guide to Yoga, Meditation, and Indian Philosophy by Eknath Easwaran
The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita: Explained by Paramhansa Yogananda by Swami Kriyananda
The Bhagavad Gita: A New Commentary by Swami Sivananda

These resources provide further insights and interpretations that can deepen the understanding of Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga, helping readers appreciate the profound teachings on faith and its manifestations in spiritual and everyday life as described in this significant chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.