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== अध्यायसारः ॥ Summary of the Seventeenth Chapter ==

== अध्यायसारः ॥ Summary of the Seventeenth Chapter ==

In the previous Chapter Shri Krishna says that,<blockquote>यः शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य वर्तते कामकारतः । न स सिद्धिमवाप्नोति न सुखं न परां गतिम् ॥१६- २३॥

In the previous Chapter Shri Krishna says that,<blockquote>यः शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य वर्तते कामकारतः । न स सिद्धिमवाप्नोति न सुखं न परां गतिम् ॥१६.२३॥

तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ । ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि ॥१६- २४॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 16.]</ref>

तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ । ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि ॥१६.२४॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 16.]</ref>

yaḥ śāstravidhimutsr̥jya vartate kāmakārataḥ । na sa siddhimavāpnoti na sukhaṁ na parāṁ gatim ॥16- 23॥

yaḥ śāstravidhimutsr̥jya vartate kāmakārataḥ । na sa siddhimavāpnoti na sukhaṁ na parāṁ gatim ॥16.23॥

tasmācchāstraṁ pramāṇaṁ te kāryākāryavyavasthitau । jñātvā śāstravidhānoktaṁ karma kartumihārhasi ॥16- 24॥</blockquote>Meaning: He who, casting aside the ordinances of the scriptures, acts under the impulse of desire, attains neither perfection nor happiness nor the supreme goal. Therefore, let the scripture be the authority in determining what ought to be done and what ought not to be done. Having known what is said in the ordinance of the scriptures, one should act here in this world.<ref>Swami Sivananda (2000), [https://holybooks-lichtenbergpress.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/BHAGAVAD-GITA-By-SRI-SWAMI-SIVANANDA.pdf Bhagavad Gita], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society, The Yoga of the Division between the Divine and the Demoniacal.</ref>

tasmācchāstraṁ pramāṇaṁ te kāryākāryavyavasthitau । jñātvā śāstravidhānoktaṁ karma kartumihārhasi ॥16.24॥</blockquote>Meaning: He who, casting aside the ordinances of the scriptures, acts under the impulse of desire, attains neither perfection nor happiness nor the supreme goal. Therefore, let the scripture be the authority in determining what ought to be done and what ought not to be done. Having known what is said in the ordinance of the scriptures, one should act here in this world.<ref>Swami Sivananda (2000), [https://holybooks-lichtenbergpress.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/BHAGAVAD-GITA-By-SRI-SWAMI-SIVANANDA.pdf Bhagavad Gita], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society, The Yoga of the Division between the Divine and the Demoniacal.</ref>

Based on this, Arjuna asks,“What about those who, even though setting aside scriptural injunctions yet perform worship with [[Shraddha (श्रद्धा)|shraddha]] ?”<blockquote>ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः । तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः ॥१७- १॥<ref name=":0">Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 17]</ref>

Based on this, Arjuna asks,“What about those who, even though setting aside scriptural injunctions yet perform worship with [[Shraddha (श्रद्धा)|shraddha]] ?”<blockquote>ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः । तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः ॥१७.१॥<ref name=":0">Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 17]</ref> ye śāstravidhimutsr̥jya yajante śraddhayānvitāḥ । teṣāṁ niṣṭhā tu kā kr̥ṣṇa sattvamāho rajastamaḥ ॥17.1॥</blockquote>To this, Shri Krishna replies that the shraddha of such people who ignore the injunctions of the scriptures could be either Sattvik, Rajasik or Tamasik in accordance with the basic nature of the person. And, conversely, as is the kind of shraddha, so develops the nature of the person. Thus, in all things like [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|yajna]], worship, [[Dana (दानम्)|charity]], penance, etc., these qualities become expressed in accordance with the kind of shraddha in which the person concerned is based and they produce results in accordance with the quality of the doer’s shraddha.  

 

ye śāstravidhimutsr̥jya yajante śraddhayānvitāḥ । teṣāṁ niṣṭhā tu kā kr̥ṣṇa sattvamāho rajastamaḥ ॥17- 1॥</blockquote>To this, Shri Krishna replies that the shraddha of such people who ignore the injunctions of the scriptures could be either Sattvik, Rajasik or Tamasik in accordance with the basic nature of the person. And, conversely, as is the kind of shraddha, so develops the nature of the person. Thus, in all things like [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|yajna]], worship, [[Dana (दानम्)|charity]], penance, etc., these qualities become expressed in accordance with the kind of shraddha in which the person concerned is based and they produce results in accordance with the quality of the doer’s shraddha.  

Therefore, acts done with right shraddha lead to supreme blessedness while, those done without any shraddha whatsoever, become barren and useless.<ref>Swami Sivananda (2000), [https://holybooks-lichtenbergpress.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/BHAGAVAD-GITA-By-SRI-SWAMI-SIVANANDA.pdf Bhagavad Gita], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society, The Yoga of the Division of the Threefold Faith.</ref>

Therefore, acts done with right shraddha lead to supreme blessedness while, those done without any shraddha whatsoever, become barren and useless.<ref>Swami Sivananda (2000), [https://holybooks-lichtenbergpress.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/BHAGAVAD-GITA-By-SRI-SWAMI-SIVANANDA.pdf Bhagavad Gita], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society, The Yoga of the Division of the Threefold Faith.</ref>

== त्रिविधा श्रद्धा ॥ Trividha Shraddha ==

== त्रिविधा श्रद्धा ॥ Trividha Shraddha ==

The Bhagavad Gita explains the concept of Shraddha with respect to the Trigunas. It says that Shraddha of people that is born of their individual natures, is of three kinds viz. Sattviki, Rajasi and Tamasi characterized by sattva, rajas and tamas respectively.<ref name=":1">Swami Nikhilananda (1944), [https://estudantedavedanta.net/Srimad%20Bhagavad%20Gita%20with%20Commentary%20-%20Swami%20Nikhilananda%20(1944)%20%5BEnglish%5D.pdf The Bhagavad Gita], New York: Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center.</ref><blockquote>त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा । सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु ॥१७.२॥<ref name=":0" />

The Bhagavad Gita explains the concept of Shraddha with respect to the Trigunas. It says that Shraddha of people that is born of their individual natures, is of three kinds viz. Sattviki, Rajasi and Tamasi characterized by sattva, rajas and tamas respectively.<ref name=":1">Swami Nikhilananda (1944), [https://estudantedavedanta.net/Srimad%20Bhagavad%20Gita%20with%20Commentary%20-%20Swami%20Nikhilananda%20(1944)%20%5BEnglish%5D.pdf The Bhagavad Gita], New York: Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center.</ref><blockquote>त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा । सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु ॥१७.२॥<ref name=":0" /> trividhā bhavati śraddhā dehināṁ sā svabhāvajā । sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tāṁ śr̥ṇu ॥17.2॥</blockquote>Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are together referred to as Trigunas. In Samkhya darshana, they refer to the three metaphysical properties that Prakrti or primordial nature is composed of and are different from the concept of Gunas in the Vaisheshika darshana. It is an interaction between these Samkhyan Trigunas that leads to manifestation of the material universe from the Trigunatmika Prakrti. Manas or mind that plays a key role in all experiences, by mediating between the senses and the intellect to convert simple impressions into preception, is one of the 25 tattvas that evolves from Prakriti. It is believed that the effect is of the same nature as the cause.<ref>Swami Sivananda (1999), [http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf All About Hinduism], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref> Therefore, the trigunas present in Prakrti as the three modes of material energy are also present in the mind as 3 types of characteristics. However, they are found in varying proportions in different people. Based on the predominent guna, one's mind-type is classified as Sattvika, Rajasika or Tamasika that in turn influences one's emotions and behaviour.<ref><nowiki>https://dharmawiki.org/index.php/Trigunas_(त्रिगुणाः)</nowiki></ref>  

 

trividhā bhavati śraddhā dehināṁ sā svabhāvajā । sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tāṁ śr̥ṇu ॥17.2॥</blockquote>Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are together referred to as Trigunas. In Samkhya darshana, they refer to the three metaphysical properties that Prakrti or primordial nature is composed of and are different from the concept of Gunas in the Vaisheshika darshana. It is an interaction between these Samkhyan Trigunas that leads to manifestation of the material universe from the Trigunatmika Prakrti. Manas or mind that plays a key role in all experiences, by mediating between the senses and the intellect to convert simple impressions into preception, is one of the 25 tattvas that evolves from Prakriti. It is believed that the effect is of the same nature as the cause.<ref>Swami Sivananda (1999), [http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.pdf All About Hinduism], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society.</ref> Therefore, the trigunas present in Prakrti as the three modes of material energy are also present in the mind as 3 types of characteristics. However, they are found in varying proportions in different people. Based on the predominent guna, one's mind-type is classified as Sattvika, Rajasika or Tamasika that in turn influences one's emotions and behaviour.<ref><nowiki>https://dharmawiki.org/index.php/Trigunas_(त्रिगुणाः)</nowiki></ref>  

Since human emotions are largely dependent on the predominence of trigunas in one's mind, the typology of Shraddha, which is a firm belief, an emotion one has towards a deity, person or shastra, is also described as threefold in nature viz. Sattviki, Rajasi and Tamasi, based on one's individual nature.<ref name=":2">Dharm P. S. Bhawuk, [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0971333620906758 Sraddha: Construct Definition from the Bhagavad-Gita], SAGE Journals, Volume 32, Issue 1.</ref>

Since human emotions are largely dependent on the predominence of trigunas in one's mind, the typology of Shraddha, which is a firm belief, an emotion one has towards a deity, person or shastra, is also described as threefold in nature viz. Sattviki, Rajasi and Tamasi, based on one's individual nature.<ref name=":2">Dharm P. S. Bhawuk, [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0971333620906758 Sraddha: Construct Definition from the Bhagavad-Gita], SAGE Journals, Volume 32, Issue 1.</ref>

=== Shraddha and Individual Choice ===

=== Shraddha and Individual Choice ===

Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are the inherent qualities in one's mind that mould one's shraddha. Each of these Trigunas has an inherent tendency. It is said,<blockquote>सत्त्वं सुखे संजयति रजः कर्मणि भारत । ज्ञानमावृत्य तु तमः प्रमादे संजयत्युत ॥१४.९॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 14 (Guna Traya Vibhaga Yoga)]</ref>

Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are the inherent qualities in one's mind that mould one's shraddha. Each of these Trigunas has an inherent tendency. It is said,<blockquote>सत्त्वं सुखे संजयति रजः कर्मणि भारत । ज्ञानमावृत्य तु तमः प्रमादे संजयत्युत ॥१४.९॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 14 (Guna Traya Vibhaga Yoga)]</ref> sattvaṁ sukhe saṁjayati rajaḥ karmaṇi bhārata । jñānamāvr̥tya tu tamaḥ pramāde saṁjayatyuta ॥14.9॥</blockquote>Meaning: Sattva enjoins one to happiness; rajas conditions one towards fruitive action and tamas veils knowledge and binds one to unmindfulness.<ref>A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1998), [https://ebooks.iskcondesiretree.com/pdf/00_-_Srila_Prabhupada/Bhagavad_Gita/Bhagavad_Gita_As_It_Is.pdf Bhagavad Gita As It Is], USA: The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.</ref><ref name=":1" />

 

sattvaṁ sukhe saṁjayati rajaḥ karmaṇi bhārata । jñānamāvr̥tya tu tamaḥ pramāde saṁjayatyuta ॥14.9॥</blockquote>Meaning: Sattva enjoins one to happiness; rajas conditions one towards fruitive action and tamas veils knowledge and binds one to unmindfulness.<ref>A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1998), [https://ebooks.iskcondesiretree.com/pdf/00_-_Srila_Prabhupada/Bhagavad_Gita/Bhagavad_Gita_As_It_Is.pdf Bhagavad Gita As It Is], USA: The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.</ref><ref name=":1" />

 

Therefore, the nature of one’s shraddha that is based on the predominence of the trigunas in oneself influences the choices one makes. Reflecting this impact of shraddha on individual choice, the Bhagavad Gita states,<blockquote>यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः । प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः ॥१७.४॥<ref name=":0" />

yajante sāttvikā devānyakṣarakṣāṁsi rājasāḥ । pretānbhūtagaṇāṁścānye yajante tāmasā janāḥ ॥17.4॥</blockquote>Meaning: People in whom sattva prevails worship the devas; people in whom rajas prevails worship the yakshas and rakshasas, and people in whom tamas prevails worship the pretas and bhutaganas.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

Therefore, the nature of one’s shraddha that is based on the predominence of the trigunas in oneself influences the choices one makes. Reflecting this impact of shraddha on individual choice, the Bhagavad Gita states,<blockquote>यजन्ते सात्त्विका देवान्यक्षरक्षांसि राजसाः । प्रेतान्भूतगणांश्चान्ये यजन्ते तामसा जनाः ॥१७.४॥<ref name=":0" /> yajante sāttvikā devānyakṣarakṣāṁsi rājasāḥ । pretānbhūtagaṇāṁścānye yajante tāmasā janāḥ ॥17.4॥</blockquote>Meaning: People in whom sattva prevails worship the devas; people in whom rajas prevails worship the yakshas and rakshasas, and people in whom tamas prevails worship the pretas and bhutaganas.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

Characteristics of Asuras

Characteristics of Asuras