Chapter 17 · 28 verses
Arjuna asks about people who act with faith but without following scriptural guidance. Krishna explains that faith is shaped by one’s disposition and describes sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic forms of worship, food, discipline, and giving. The chapter examines intention and the quality behind outward practice.
Central focus
Faith, intention, discipline, food, austerity, and generosity through the lens of the three guṇas.
Chapter outline
- Faith as an expression of one’s inner disposition
- Three forms of worship and orientation
- Food and its effects according to the guṇas
- Austerity of body, speech, and mind
- Giving with discernment and the meaning of Om Tat Sat
Reading the chapter
Read this chapter in the context of the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna. Notice who is speaking, what question is being answered, and how each teaching develops from the preceding discussion. The chapter’s Sanskrit title is commonly rendered as Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga; English titles vary across editions.
Verse study pathway
This chapter page introduces the chapter’s structure and key ideas. A complete verse-by-verse edition should present each verse with a verified Sanskrit text, IAST transliteration, a clearly credited translation, grammatical and lexical notes, and commentary that distinguishes the wording of the verse from later interpretation. Verse-level entries will be added in sequence after text and translation verification.
Questions for reflection
- How can we distinguish sincere faith from unexamined habit?
- Why does the chapter consider speech and mental discipline forms of austerity?
- What makes an act of generosity genuinely helpful?
Study note
This is an introductory guide, not a claim that all philosophical schools interpret every passage in the same way. Sanskrit terms are retained where an English equivalent would flatten their range of meaning. Comparative interpretations should be attributed to the specific commentators and editions consulted.