BCAIS Education

Based on the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C.

Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

Bhagavad-gītā
As It Is
Chapter 17
The Divisions of Faith
 The Divisions of Faith

Bhagavad-gītā Module 3: Overview of Chapters 13-18

Chapter 17: The Divisions of Faith

Executive Summary:

In Chapter 16 Krsna has established that faithful followers of sastra are divine and that the faithless are
demoniac. But into which category does a man fit who follows with faith something other than sastra?

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 The Divisions of Faith

FAITH, WORSHIP AND FOODS IN THE MODES (1–10)

Krsna answers by describing how the modes of material nature determine a person’s faith, worship and eating
habits.

SACRIFICES, AUSTERITIES, AND CHARITY IN THE MODES (11–22)

Lord Krsna describes sacrifice, austerity, and charity under the influence of the modes of nature.

CHANTING “OM TAT SAT” PURIFIES ACTIVITIES (23–28)

All activities are contaminated by the modes, and those defects can be offset by acting, even within the modes
of nature, in Krsna’s service and by chanting om tat sat. Actually, all our activities should be aimed at pleasing
the Supreme Lord. When sacrifice, penance, and austerity are performed without faith in the Supreme they are
useless, both in this life and the next.

BCAIS Education 2020

The Divisions of Faith

BCAIS Education 2020

 The Divisions of Faith

Bhagavad-gita (Module 3) Self-study Questions Chapter 17: The Divisions of Faith

27. List four results of eating food in the mode of goodness. (8)
• increase the duration of life,
• purify one’s existence and
• give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction.
• such foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart.

28. List three characteristics of a sacrifice in the mode of ignorance.(13)

• act in faithlessness
• ceremonial shows of religiosity – no distribution of Prasad, no chanting of vedic hymns
• ignoring scriptural injunction

29. Austerity of the body consists of what eight items? (14)

• Supreme Lord,
• the brāhmaṇas,
• the spiritual master,
• superiors like the father and mother,
• in cleanliness,
• simplicity,
• celibacy and
• nonviolence BCAIS Education 2020
 The Divisions of Faith

Bhagavad-gita (Module 3) Self-study Questions Chapter 17: The Divisions of Faith

30. Give the English meaning of svadhyaya abhyasanam. (15)

Regularly reciting Vedic literature.

31. List 3 characteristics of penance performed in the mode of passion. (18)

Performed out of pride and for the sake of gaining respect, honor and worship

32. List 3 symptoms of charity in the mode of goodness. (20)

• charity given out of duty,
• without expectation of return,
• at the proper time and place, and to a worthy person

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