The Yoga of the Three Divisions of Faith
Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga · श्रद्धात्रय विभाग योग
Summary
Chapter 17 classifies faith, food, worship, charity, and austerity according to the three gunas. Sattvic faith leads to worship of the divine, rajasic faith to worship of power and wealth, and tamasic faith to worship of dark forces. Krishna also explains the significance of 'Om Tat Sat' — the threefold designation of Brahman that sanctifies all spiritual practice.
Key Teachings
Faith is shaped by the gunas and determines the quality of one's life
Even food, charity, and austerity are classified by the three gunas
Om Tat Sat sanctifies all spiritual practices
Man is made by his belief — as he believes, so he is
Famous Verses
“The faith of each is in accordance with one's own nature. The person consists of faith. As a person's faith is, so is the person.”
Why This Matters Today
Chapter 17 is about the quality of everything you consume and do — food, media, relationships, work, charity. What you surround yourself with shapes who you become. This is the Gita's version of 'you are what you eat' extended to every domain of life.
Ask Krishna About Chapter 17
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga about?
Chapter 17 classifies faith, food, worship, charity, and austerity according to the three gunas. Sattvic faith leads to worship of the divine, rajasic faith to worship of power and wealth, and tamasic faith to worship of dark forces. Krishna also explains the significance of 'Om Tat Sat' — the threefold designation of Brahman that sanctifies all spiritual practice.
How many verses are in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 (Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga) contains 28 verses.
What are the key teachings of Gita Chapter 17?
Faith is shaped by the gunas and determines the quality of one's life. Even food, charity, and austerity are classified by the three gunas. Om Tat Sat sanctifies all spiritual practices. Man is made by his belief — as he believes, so he is