1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith · 28 verses

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Nature & guṇasChapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith
17.617.8

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 17.7

Faith shaped by the three guṇas

Prakṛti · Material nature

आहारस्त्वपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रिय: ।

यज्ञस्तपस्तथा दानं तेषां भेदमिमं श‍ृणु ॥ ७ ॥

āhāras tv api sarvasya

tri-vidho bhavati priyaḥ

yajñas tapas tathā dānaṁ

teṣāṁ bhedam imaṁ śṛṇu

Translation

Even the food each person prefers is of three kinds, according to the three modes of material nature. The same is true of sacrifices, austerities and charity. Now hear of the distinctions between them.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Understanding the Three Modes

  1. 1

    Food preferences, sacrifices, austerities and charity differ according to the three modes of material nature.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that wise people recognize these differences rather than treating all such practices as equal.

  3. 3

    Follow scripture, not guides who claim you can do whatever you like and attain perfection.

Key points from the purport

One can make out the mode of faith by observing the activities of eating, sacrifice, austerity and charity

Wise – Those who know and discriminate based on these activities

Foolish – Those who consider all kinds of food, sacrifice etc. to be the same and does not discriminate

e.g. Missionary workers who guide that:

Whatever one likes one can do and attain perfection

No need of scriptures, one can manufacture one’s own ways

Further reading

The Modes Determine One’s Faith And One’s Worship

Arjuna asks about the situation of one who worships, but not according to sastra

Krishna replies that one who doesn’t follow sastra worships according to the faith dictated by his acquired modes of material nature

Chapter 17, section I: The Modes Determine One’s Faith And One’s Worship
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. āhāraḥeating
  2. tucertainly
  3. apialso
  4. sarvasyaof everyone
  5. tri-vidhaḥof three kinds
  6. bhavatithere is
  7. priyaḥdear
  8. yajñaḥsacrifice
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 17.7 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 17 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 17.2Faith shaped by the three guṇasBG 17.3Faith shaped by the three guṇasBG 7.14Crossing beyond māyā
Live this todayFaith and the ModesA practice from BG 17.3, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction