THE THREEFOLD CLASSIFICATION OF FAITH

Chapter 17 Shloka 1

अर्जुन उवाच

ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः।

तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः।।१।।

Arjuna asks Lord Krishna:

Those who offer worship with full faith

but without observing scriptural injunctions,

of what nature is their faith

– sattvic, rajsic or tamsic?

The Threefold Classification of Faith

Chapter 17 Shloka 1

अर्जुन उवाच

ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः।

तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः।।१।।

Arjuna asks Lord Krishna:

Those who offer worship with full faith but without observing scriptural injunctions, of what nature is their faith – sattvic, rajsic or tamsic?

In chapter 16, shloka 24 the Lord has stated:

1. Scriptures are the criterion for judging actions as dutiful or devoid of duty.

2. Only such actions should be done as are in accordance with scriptural decree.

Arjuna asks, “Several people worship with great faith but are ignorant of the method prescribed by the Scriptures. Is this wrong?”

Worship devoid of scriptural sanction

Many people worship the Lord in many different ways. Despite great faith:

1. Their methods of spiritual practice differ.

2. Their perspective differs.

3. There is a difference in their code of life.

4. There is a difference in their understanding.

Yet, they all worship with faith. The aspirant of spirituality proceeds with his spiritual practice with faith. He worships the Gods, or Brahm Himself with complete faith. However, because the Lord has said that only those actions are worth performing which are in conformity with scriptural decree, therefore the question arises, “If one has faith and one engages in worship, but if that worship is devoid of spiritual sanction, how can such faith be categorised? Does it belong to the category of sattva, rajas or tamas?”

My little one,

1. Shraddha or deep faith changes one’s perspective of life.

2. Faith changes the values of the individual.

3. Where there is faith the individual becomes a worshipper of the qualities of the Supreme.

4. Faith kindles the individual’s yearning for those qualities.

5. Faith changes a man into a servitor of the Supreme qualities.

6. Faith leads him to serve those who possess the qualities of the Supreme.

7. Imbued with faith, the individual imbibes those qualities of the Supreme.

8. In faith, man forgets himself and learns to live for the other.

9. Faith transforms the life of man into a veritable yagya – a selfless offering to the Lord.

10. Imbued with faith, man follows the path of selfless deeds.

a) Faith is reflected in a man’s perspective of life.

b) Faith is reflected in a man’s outlook towards other men.

c) Faith epitomises a man’s true essence.

However, faith too has three classifications – sattvic, rajsic and tamsic.

Arjuna asks the Lord, “He who renounces the method prescribed in the Scriptures, yet worships with faith, how is such faith to be categorised?”