Bhagavad Geetha Chapter 17: Shraddha Traya Vibaga Yoga — The Yoga of Faith

Chapter 17: Shraddha Traya Vibaga Yoga

The Yoga of Faith

Part of the Bhagavad Geetha — Complete Commentary by Guruji M. Mohan Sundar

Arjuna questioned, " Krushna, those who do not know the scriptures but if they have intense devotion to Gods and worship accordingly, what is the classification of that worship, is it Sathwik, Rajasik, or Thamasik ? ".

Lord Krushna said, " Human beings, who are not aware of scriptural aspects but only through intense inclination to worship God are classified as Sathwika, Rajasika, and Thamasika. Now I will say about this phenomena ". Arjuna, people's devotion is directly proportional to evolution of their consciousness and the depth of devotion also depends on that. The Sathwika people (people of Positive trait) worship Gods. The people of Rajasik trait (with Semi-Divine trait) worship demigods including those of demonical nature as well. The Thamasik people worship the ghosts and goblins.

Note: Gods are basically of Divine Nature, where Sathwa Guna is predominant in them. The Yakshas and Rakshasas carry streaks of divinity as well as darker aspects too. The spirits are the souls of the dead, who can also interact with persons who worship them according to the prescribed ways of worship. Worshiping of spirits and goblins drive the worshippers towards darkness where the spirits and goblins live. Those who worship in a way devoid of scriptural sanctions but according to their own imaginations, such persons tend to make a show-off due to their egoism and such persons are viciously desirous and aggressive in nature. Through this type of worship, they will be relegating ME to a corner, so that their ignorance expands. Such ignorant people are of demonical nature. Arjuna, the food is also of three types. Similarly, Yagna, Meditation and Charity are also of three types. I will explain the difference now. Food that maintains youthfulness to certain extent, enhances intelligence, strength and health, and also pleasantness and friendliness, stability of mind, or happiness to mind are such food which is considered as Sathwik food.

Note: Sathwik food is primarily a vegetarian food which has been derived without any violence, because all the grains are the yield of the crops, which is harvested after the yield dies away. Similarly, the plants giving vegetables are seasonal in nature and after their yield, they too die away naturally. The trees, that give fruits, make this fruits available to mankind as a yield seasonally, but the trees continue to live on. Therefore, the food derived out of vegetation, constitute Sathwik food. The reason being there is no violence causing intense pain and bleeding. The vegetarian food does not carry along with it any painful energy in it because the plants do not have a fully developed nervous system like animals to experience the pain all over the body. On the other hand, the animal flesh has to be derived by killing animals in a violent way causing intense pain and bleeding to them. This intense pain is transferred into their muscles due to shock and it becomes toxic. Therefore, when such food is eaten it triggers in us the basic biological desires, anger, violent attitude and spiritually not evolutionary in nature. Therefore, eating non-vegetarian food has to be weighed and considered. The way of acquiring the food i.e., through righteous means or unrighteous means also matter. When food is acquired through righteous means, it does not carry any pain as no person have not been deprived of something. If the food is acquired through unrighteous means, it definitely carries the sorrow, pain, sufferings, may even carry the curse of the persons who have been deprived of something. Therefore, food plays an important role in the spiritual evolution of a person. Example:- The scientific study of the skeletons of gladiators (entertainment fighters), who were the strongest men in Europe, the scientists were amazed to find the skeleton analysis showed that they were vegetarians. (Source: Article in BBC news dated on 22nd October 2014.) One more example can be brought here, for the interest of readers. One, Mr. Kodi Rammurthy Naidu was the strongest Indian to appear on the Indian Horizon, who was a wrestler and used to keep elephant on his chest. He was awarded the title of 'Indian Hercules', by King George V, he was a strict vegetarian. (Source:- internet). Bitter, sour, increased salt, too hot, too spicy which causes burning, are the type of food a Rajasik person is interested in. This type of food can cause increased mental activity by way of worry, and a kind of depression too. In case of people of Thamasika nature, they are willing to eat half-boiled, insipid, stale, and polluted food.

Note: If someone is extremely hungry but no other option but to eat a stale food either made available to that person, or otherwise it amounts to Aapadh Dharma meaning, an action to survive which cannot be called as eating Thamasik food under such circumstances. Example:- A beggar who is hungry when offered stale food by a householder and if he eats it, then it is a necessity for survival. Therefore, it cannot be called Thamasik, strictly in the above said stanza sense. Following the scriptures, performing the Yagna (sacrificial fire to gods) without any expectation whatsoever is a Sathwika Yagna. Arjuna, the sacrifice made in a Yagna with an expectation of returns (in any form) is the Rajasika Yagna. That which has no scriptural sanctions, where mantras are not chanted, food is not offered to devotees, and fee is not paid to the performers and such casually done yagna, is a Thamasika Yagna. Worship of Gods, pious Brahmanas, Gurus and people of Spiritual Knowledge who carries holiness and simplicity, following non-violence (except for self defence and to uphold righteousness), and cleanliness in the body amounts to Thapas (Austerity). That which does not irritate but pleasant and practical as well, chanting of Vedas and inclusive of Japa of God's name is known as Austerity of Vaani (Vocal discipline). That which causes peace to mind, increases spiritual evolution, brings mind under control and produces benign thoughts in the mind is called as mental penance ( Meditational Austerity). The Yogis who perform with atmost devotion, the previously said three types of austerity ( Body Tapas, Vocal Discipline and Mental Austerity ), is a Sathwika one, as there is no expectation in that performance. Any Thapas meaning either a sacrificial fire i.e., homa or other quasi Spiritual Practises done with an intention to gain appreciation from others and also with selfish intention with egoistic attitude with expectation of some results, such an act is a Rajasika one ( Semi- positive/ quasi spiritual ). Any type of Austerity/Thapas done with ignorance with application of force, mentally, physically and by voice causing disturbance to others, such a practise is a Thamasika one. When a charity is done as a duty without any expectation to a person who deserves, such a charity is a Sathwika Charity.

Note: It is very important to note here that, charity cannot be done unless one becomes aware that whatever charity he is making, it is going to a deserving person or institution. Otherwise, it becomes a wasteful act. Any charity, that has been done reluctantly but with an expectation of some return, such a charity becomes a Rajasik charity. Any charity done with a contempt outlook and it is given to a person who does not deserve, becomes a Thamasika charity. AAAum Tath Sath are the three names which belongs to the Supremely Blissful Supreme Being because in the beginning of the creation HE is the cause for creating the people of knowledge, Vedas and Yagnas. Therefore, the persons who practise Vedas and perform Yagnas, Charity and Austerities, they should begin with chanting AAAum which is of mystic nature of Supreme Being thereby invoking required God forms from HIM.

Note: AAAum is the Cosmic Sound which is the root cause for the manifestation of entire creation. Therefore, AAAum is repeated during the beginning of Vedic practises like Homa, Yagna and Havana, and other Austerities. But, when AAAum is the cause for the creation, the creator/ Supreme Being is beyond the AAAum. HE is Supremely Blissful, formless, and in absolute but dynamic silence, wherefrom the sound AAAum arises at the WILL of the Supreme Being to create the creation. Therefore, AAAum sound is the beginning of the creation of matter, and living beings as well. A word ' TATH ' denotes the Supreme Being/ GOD because the entire creation belongs to HIM. Those who perform Yagna, Thapas and other Right Spiritual Practises without any expectation of fruits, but in a sense of charity of doing good to the world, are those who are seeking Moksha.

Note: The word Moksha is nothing but dissolving one's Individual Consciousness in the Universal Consciousness/ Supreme Being for eternity and never to return into the cycle of births and deaths. Therefore, Moksha is a dissolution process, like river getting infused into the sea forever. The word ' SATT ' also refers to the Supreme Being because IT is the truth and the word is used in the most holiest way while performing highly revered actions. What is latent/ hidden/ underlying in the sacrificial fire, Austerity and charity is 'SATT' which is the truth of the nature of the Supreme Being. Whatever the Spiritual actions like Yagna, Homa and Thapas are made as an offering to the Supreme Being is also 'SATT'. Arjuna, any Homa, Havana, Charity and Austerities done without any application, dedication and discipline becomes "ASATH" (untrue). Therefore, it is not useful either in this world or after death. HERE ENDS THE SHRADDHA TRAYA VIBHAGHA YOGA