Chapter 17: Three Types of Faith
How the gunas shape worship, food, and action
Chapter 17: Three Types of Faith
Everything humans do is colored by the three gunas, including faith itself. Krishna explains how sattva, rajas, and tamas express themselves in faith, food, sacrifice, austerity, and charity. He also reveals the sacred mantra "Om Tat Sat."
This chapter helps you examine the quality of your spiritual practice: is it sattvic (pure), rajasic (ambitious), or tamasic (confused)?
Key Verses
Verse 17.3, Faith Reflects Nature
सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत।
श्रद्धामयोऽयं पुरुषो यो यच्छ्रद्धः स एव सः।।
sattvānurūpā sarvasya śraddhā bhavati bhārata śraddhā-mayo 'yaṁ puruṣo yo yac-chraddhaḥ sa eva saḥ
"The faith of each person is according to their nature, O Bharata. A person is made of faith; as is their faith, so are they."
You are what you believe. Faith shapes identity. Different natures produce different kinds of faith, and understanding this helps you elevate your own faith to a higher quality.
Verse 17.14-16, Three Types of Austerity
देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम्।
ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते।।
deva-dvija-guru-prājña-pūjanaṁ śaucam ārjavam brahmacaryam ahiṁsā ca śārīraṁ tapa ucyate
"Worship of the gods, the twice-born, teachers, and the wise; purity, straightforwardness, celibacy, and non-violence, this is called austerity of the body."
Krishna distinguishes three types of austerity: physical (body), verbal (speech), and mental (mind). Each has sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic forms. True austerity is done without desire for reward.
Verse 17.23, Om Tat Sat
ॐ तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः।
ब्राह्मणास्तेन वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च विहिताः पुरा।।
oṁ tat sad iti nirdeśo brahmaṇas tri-vidhaḥ smṛtaḥ brāhmaṇās tena vedāś ca yajñāś ca vihitāḥ purā
"'Om Tat Sat', this is the threefold designation of Brahman. By this were the Brahmins, the Vedas, and sacrifices created in ancient times."
The sacred mantra: Om (the divine sound), Tat (That, the Absolute), Sat (the Real, the Good). This triple designation of Brahman sanctifies all genuine spiritual actions.
Main Themes
- Faith Shaped by Guna, Sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic people have different types of faith.
- You Are Your Faith, Belief shapes identity and destiny.
- Three Austerities, Physical, verbal, and mental disciplines, each with three qualities.
- Om Tat Sat, The sacred mantra that sanctifies all spiritual practice.
Reflection Questions
- What is the quality of your faith? Is it drawn to purity, ambition, or confusion?
- Which type of austerity (body, speech, mind) is easiest for you? Which most difficult?
- What does "Om Tat Sat" mean to you as a spiritual invocation?
Continue Your Study
Chapter 17's 28 verses examine the three types of faith and the sacred Om Tat Sat. Explore every verse with detailed explanations.