Chapter 17

Shloka 17.28 “Whatever is sacrificed, given, or done, and whatever austerity is practiced without faith, is called Asat, O Partha; it is naught here or hereafter.” Key Teaching: Acts without faith are Asat, yielding no benefit. Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga. Description: Krishna concludes that acts of sacrifice, charity, […]

Shloka 17.27 “Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and charity is called Sat; action for My sake is also called Sat.” Key Teaching: Steadfastness in sacred acts and devotion to Krishna is Sat. Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga. Description: Krishna states that steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity, and charity, and

Shloka 17.26 “Sat is used in the sense of reality and goodness; the word Sat is also used for an auspicious act, O Partha.” Key Teaching: Sat denotes reality, goodness, and auspicious acts. Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga. Description: Krishna explains that Sat denotes reality and goodness and is

Shloka 17.25 “With Tat, without aiming at fruit, acts of sacrifice and austerity and various acts of charity are performed by seekers of liberation.” Key Teaching: Seekers of liberation perform acts with Tat, without seeking reward. Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga. Description: Krishna explains that seekers of liberation perform

Shloka 17.24 “Therefore, acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity, as prescribed by scriptures, are begun with the utterance of Om by knowers of Brahman.” Key Teaching: Sattvic acts begin with Om, following scriptures. Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga. Description: Krishna states that knowers of Brahman begin acts of sacrifice,

Shloka 17.23 “Om Tat Sat—these three are the symbols of Brahman; by these, brahmanas, Vedas, and sacrifices were ordained in the beginning.” Key Teaching: Om Tat Sat symbolizes Brahman, ordaining sacred acts. Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga. Description: Krishna explains that Om Tat Sat are Brahman’s symbols, by which

Shloka 17.22 “Charity given at the wrong place and time, to unworthy persons, without respect or proper manner, is called tamasic.” Key Teaching: Tamasic charity is given improperly to unworthy recipients. Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga. Description: Krishna describes tamasic charity as given at the wrong place and time,

Shloka 17.21 “Charity given grudgingly or with expectation of reward, aiming at fruit, is called rajasic.” Key Teaching: Rajasic charity is given grudgingly or for reward. Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga. Description: Krishna states that charity given grudgingly or with expectation of reward, aiming at fruit, is rajasic. This

Shloka 17.20 “Charity given to the worthy, without expectation, at the proper time and place, is sattvic.” Key Teaching: Sattvic charity is selfless and given appropriately. Theme: Guidance, Jnana Yoga, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, Karma Yoga. Description: Krishna defines sattvic charity as given to the worthy, without expectation, at the proper time and place. This verse,

Shloka 17.19 “Austerity performed with deluded notions, tormenting oneself or others, is tamasic.” Key Teaching: Tamasic austerity involves delusion and harm. Theme: Guidance, Jnana Yoga, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, Karma Yoga. Description: Krishna describes tamasic austerity as performed with deluded notions, tormenting oneself or others. This verse, continuing 17.18, addresses Arjuna’s quest (2.9, 13.1). The themes