Srimad Bhagawad Gita Chapter 17
Srimad Bhagawad Gita Chapter 17
zrImadbhagavadgItA mUlam - saptadazo'dhyAyaH
OM zrI paramAtmane namaH
atha saptadazo'dhyAyaH |
zraddhAtrayavibhAgayogaH
arjuna uvAca
ye zAstravidhimutsRjya yajante zraddhayAnvitAH |
teSAM niSThA tu kA kRSNa sattvamAho rajastamaH || 1 ||
zrIbhagavAnuvAca
trividhA bhavati zraddhA dehinAM sA svabhAvajA |
sAttvikI rAjasI caiva tAmasI ceti tAM zRNu || 2 ||
sattvAnurUpA sarvasya zraddhA bhavati bhArata |
zraddhAmayo'yaM puruSo yo yacchraddhaH sa eva saH || 3 ||
yajante sAttvikA devAnyakSarakSAMsi rAjasAH |
pretAnbhUtagaNAMzcAnye yajante tAmasA janAH || 4 ||
azAstravihitaM ghoraM tapyante ye tapo janAH |
dambhAhaGkArasaMyuktAH kAmarAgabalAnvitAH || 5 ||
karSayantaH zarIrasthaM bhUtagrAmamacetasaH |
mAM caivAntaHzarIrasthaM tAnviddhyAsuranizcayAn || 6 ||
AhArastvapi sarvasya trividho bhavati priyaH |
yajJastapastathA dAnaM teSAM bhedamimaM zRNu || 7 ||
AyuHsattvabalArogyasukhaprItivivardhanAH |
rasyAH snigdhAH sthirA hRdyA AhArAH sAttvikapriyAH || 8 ||
kaTvamlalavaNAtyuSNatIkSNarUkSavidAhinaH |
AhArA rAjasasyeSTA duHkhazokAmayapradAH || 9 ||
yAtayAmaM gatarasaM pUti paryuSitaM ca yat |
ucchiSTamapi cAmedhyaM bhojanaM tAmasapriyam || 10 ||
aphalAkAGkSibhiryajJo vidhidRSTo ya ijyate |
yaSTavyameveti manaH samAdhAya sa sAttvikaH || 11 ||
abhisandhAya tu phalaM dambhArthamapi caiva yat |
ijyate bharatazreSTha taM yajJaM viddhi rAjasam || 12 ||
vidhihInamasRSTAnnaM mantrahInamadakSiNam |
zraddhAvirahitaM yajJaM tAmasaM paricakSate || 13 ||
devadvijaguruprAjJapUjanaM zaucamArjavam |
brahmacaryamahiMsA ca zArIraM tapa ucyate || 14 ||
anudvegakaraM vAkyaM satyaM priyahitaM ca yat |
svAdhyAyAbhyasanaM caiva vAGmayaM tapa ucyate || 15 ||
manaH prasAdaH saumyatvaM maunamAtmavinigrahaH |
bhAvasaMzuddhirityetattapo mAnasamucyate || 16 ||
zraddhayA parayA taptaM tapastattrividhaM naraiH |
aphalAkAGkSibhiryuktaiH sAttvikaM paricakSate || 17 ||
satkAramAnapUjArthaM tapo dambhena caiva yat |
kriyate tadiha proktaM rAjasaM calamadhruvam || 18 ||
mUDhagrAheNAtmano yatpIDayA kriyate tapaH |
parasyotsAdanArthaM vA tattAmasamudAhRtam || 19 ||
dAtavyamiti yaddAnaM dIyate'nupakAriNe |
deze kAle ca pAtre ca taddAnaM sAttvikaM smRtam || 20 ||
yattu prattyupakArArthaM phalamuddizya vA punaH |
dIyate ca parikliSTaM taddAnaM rAjasaM smRtam || 21 ||
adezakAle yaddAnamapAtrebhyazca dIyate |
asatkRtamavajJAtaM tattAmasamudAhRtam || 22 ||
OM tatsaditi nirdezo brahmaNastrividhaH smRtaH |
brAhmaNAstena vedAzca yajJAzca vihitAH purA || 23 ||
tasmAdomityudAhRtya yajJadAnatapaHkriyAH |
pravartante vidhAnoktAH satataM brahmavAdinAm || 24 ||
tadityanabhisandhAya phalaM yajJatapaHkriyAH |
dAnakriyAzca vividhAH kriyante mokSakAGkSibhiH || 25 ||
sadbhAve sAdhubhAve ca sadityetatprayujyate |
prazaste karmaNi tathA sacchabdaH pArtha yujyate || 26 ||
yajJe tapasi dAne ca sthitiH saditi cocyate |
karma caiva tadarthIyaM sadityevAbhidhIyate || 27 ||
azraddhayA hutaM dattaM tapastaptaM kRtaM ca yat |
asadityucyate pArtha na ca tatprepya no iha || 28 ||
OM tatsaditi zrImadbhagavadgItAsUpaniSatsu brahmavidyAyAM yogazAstre
zrIkRSNArjunasaMvAde zraddhAtrayavibhAgayogo nAma saptadazo'dhyAyaH ||17 ||
About This Stotram
Srimad Bhagawad Gita Chapter 17
Sanskrit Title: श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता मूलम् - सप्तदशोऽध्यायः
IAST Transliteration:
Overview
Chapter 17 of the Bhagawad Gita is highly significant as it provides a detailed analysis of faith (shraddha) and its threefold division according to the three gunas: Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. Lord Krishna explains how an individual's faith is intrinsically linked to their inherent nature (svabhava) and how it colors all aspects of their existence, including their diet, sacrifices, austerities, and acts of charity. This chapter is crucial for spiritual aspirants as it offers a framework to understand their own inclinations and to consciously cultivate Sattvic qualities, which lead to spiritual progress and ultimately to the divine. By understanding the characteristics of each type of faith and its corresponding actions, one can strive to purify their mind and actions, moving towards a more enlightened state of being.
Details
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Deity | Krishna |
| Author | Vyasa |
| Type | Chapter of a larger scripture |
| Category | Gita Adhyaya |
| Number of Verses | 29 |
| Origin | This stotram is the seventeenth chapter of the Srimad Bhagawad Gita, a foundational scripture in Hinduism. The Bhagawad Gita itself is presented as a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, as part of the epic Mahabharata. The Gita is believed to have been revealed in ancient India, with its composition traditionally attributed to the Srimant Ved Vyas. Chapter 17, titled 'Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga' (The Yoga of the Threefold Division of Faith), delves into the nature of faith (shraddha) and how it manifests in individuals based on the three gunas (Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas). It explains how one's faith influences their actions, food, sacrifices, austerities, and charity, and ultimately their spiritual destination. |
Benefits of Recitation
- Understanding the nature of one's own faith and its impact.
- Guidance on aligning actions with higher spiritual principles.
- Discernment between Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic qualities in oneself and others.
- Path to spiritual purification through righteous living.
- Attainment of higher realms or liberation through Sattvic living.
Best Time to Recite
Can be recited at any time, but particularly beneficial during periods of introspection, decision-making, or when seeking clarity on one's spiritual path. Reciting it regularly can foster a Sattvic disposition.
Historical Context
The Srimad Bhagawad Gita, of which Chapter 17 is a part, is considered a divine discourse delivered by Lord Krishna to Arjuna at the commencement of the Kurukshetra war, as narrated in the epic Mahabharata. While the exact dating of the Mahabharata and the Gita is a subject of scholarly debate, they are generally placed in ancient India, with the core teachings believed to have been compiled by the Srimant Ved Vyas. Chapter 17, 'Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga,' specifically addresses the practical application of spiritual principles in daily life, emphasizing the role of faith and the influence of the three gunas on human behavior and destiny. This chapter reflects the philosophical depth and practical guidance offered by the Gita, aiming to lead individuals towards liberation.
Alternate Names
- Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
- The Yoga of the Threefold Division of Faith
Related Stotrams
- Srimad Bhagawad Gita Chapter 14
- Srimad Bhagawad Gita Chapter 18
Last Updated: 2025-12-01