Śraddhātraya Vibhāga Yoga

The Supreme Lord said: The faith of embodied beings is of three kinds, born of their own nature - sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic. Hear now about this.

The faith of each person is in accordance with their nature, O Bharata. A person is made of their faith; as is their faith, so verily are they.

Those in sattva worship the gods; those in rajas worship yakshas and rakshasas; and others, those in tamas, worship ghosts and hosts of nature spirits.

Those who practice terrible austerities not enjoined by the scriptures, given to hypocrisy and egoism, impelled by the force of desire and attachment -

Senselessly torturing the elements of the body and also Me who dwells within - know them to be of demoniac resolve.

The food that is dear to each person is also of three kinds. So too are sacrifice, austerity, and charity. Hear now the distinction among them.

Foods that promote longevity, vitality, strength, health, happiness, and satisfaction, which are juicy, smooth, substantial, and pleasing to the heart - such foods are dear to the sattvic.

Foods that are bitter, sour, salty, excessively hot, pungent, dry, and burning - such foods are preferred by the rajasic and cause pain, grief, and disease.

Food that is stale, tasteless, putrid, leftover, and impure - such food is dear to those of tamasic nature.

That sacrifice which is offered according to scriptural injunction, by those who expect no reward, with the firm conviction that it is a duty - that is sattvic.

But that sacrifice which is offered with expectation of reward or for the sake of display, O best of Bharatas - know that to be rajasic.

That sacrifice which is performed without regard for scriptural injunctions, without distribution of food, without mantras, without gifts to the priests, and devoid of faith - that is declared to be tamasic.

Worship of the gods, the twice-born, teachers, and the wise; purity, straightforwardness, celibacy, and non-violence - these are called austerity of the body.

Speech that causes no agitation, that is truthful, pleasant, and beneficial, as well as the practice of scriptural study - this is called austerity of speech.

Serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, self-control, and purity of intention - this is called austerity of the mind.

This threefold austerity, practiced with supreme faith by steadfast persons who desire no reward, is declared to be sattvic.

Austerity that is performed with hypocrisy, for the sake of gaining respect, honor, and adoration - that is declared to be rajasic, unstable, and impermanent.

Austerity that is performed with foolish obstinacy, with self-torture, or for the purpose of destroying another - that is declared to be tamasic.

That gift which is given with the sense of duty, to one who cannot reciprocate, at the proper place and time, and to a worthy person - that gift is considered sattvic.

But that gift which is given with the expectation of reciprocation, or with a desire for reward, or given reluctantly - that is considered rajasic.

That gift which is given at the wrong place and time, to unworthy persons, without respect, or with contempt - that is declared to be tamasic.

Om Tat Sat - this has been declared as the threefold designation of Brahman. By that were the brahmins, the Vedas, and the sacrifices ordained of old.

Therefore, the acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity prescribed by the scriptures are always commenced by the knowers of Brahman with the utterance of Om.

Uttering 'Tat' (That), without aiming at the fruits, the various acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity are performed by seekers of liberation.

The word 'Sat' is used in the sense of reality and goodness; and also, O Partha, the word 'Sat' is used for auspicious action.

Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and charity is also called 'Sat'; and action performed for the sake of That (the Supreme) is verily called 'Sat'.

Whatever is offered in sacrifice, given in charity, or performed as austerity without faith - it is called 'Asat' (unreal), O Partha. It is of no avail here or hereafter.