Bhagavadgita Parva — Three kinds of Faith

Arjuna said What is the state, Krishna, of those that neglects the ordinance of the scriptures and perform sacrifices with faith? Is it one of Sattva, Raja or Tama?

The great one said The faith of man is of three kinds. They are born according to his individual nature. They are also of Sattva, Raja, and Tama. Hear what they are.

The faith of man, O Bharata is according to his own nature. A man may be full of faith, and as his faith is so he will be.

Those who are of the Sattva quality worship the celestial, those of Raja worship Yakshas and Rakshasas, and those of Tama do the same to departed spirits and ghosts.

Those who practice severe penances not ordained by the Vedas, who are full of hypocrisy and pride, desire, attachment and violence.

Who has no discernment, but who torture their physical organs, thereby torturing Me who seat within the body, should be known to be of demoniac nature.

Food which is dear to all is also of three kinds. Sacrifice, penance, and gifts are also of three kinds. Hear from Me their distinction, one

The food that increase longevity, energy, strength, health, and well-being and joy, and which is savoury, indigenous, and agreeable, is liked by men of Sattva nature.

The food which is bitter, sour, salted, overhot, pungent, dry and burning, and which produces pain, grief and disease, is desired by a man of Raja temperament.

The food which is cold, not savory, stinky, corrupt, filthy and a refuse, is liked by men of Tama.

Sattva Sacrifice is which being prescribed by the Shastras, is performed by a man who desires no fruit from it, and who performs it by believing it to be only a duty.

But O chief son of Bharata, Raja Sacrifice is that which is performed in expectation of receiving fruits from it and for ostentatious show.

And Tama sacrifice is that which is performed against the ordinances of the Shastras in which food is not distributed, Mantras are not recited, fees are not paid to the assisting priests and which is void of faith.

Reverence to Celestial, regenerate ones, preceptors, and learned men, and purity, uprightness, the practices of a Brahmachary, and abstention from injury, constitute the penance of body.

The words that does not disturb any body and which is agreeable, true and beneficial, and the diligent study of the Vedas, is the penance of speech.

Serenity of mind, gentleness, taciturnity, self restraint, and purity of disposition, constitute the penance of mind.

Now Sattva Penance is that in which this three-fold penance is performed with perfect faith, with devotion and without the desire for fruit.

Raja Penance is that which is performed with hypocrisy for gaining respect honour, and revenue, and which is unstable and transient.

Tama Penance is that which is performed under a deluded belief, and with torture of one's self, and for the destruction of another,

Sattva gift is that which is given because it ought to be given; it is given to one who cannot return it in any way; it is given in a proper place, at a proper time, and to a proper person.

Raja gift is that which is given reluctantly, for return of some sort of service or benefit, and with an eye to fruit.

Tama gift is that which is given without respect and with contempt to an unworthy object in an improper place and at an improper time.

Om, Tat, Sat, these are the threefold designation of Brahma. The Brahmanas, the Vedas and the Yajnas are all ordained in ancient time by Brahma.

Therefore, uttering the syllable, Om, all utterers of Brahma begin their sacrifices, fits and penances, as ordained in the Shastras.

Uttering TAT, the various sacrifices, gifts and penances are performed by those who desire emancipation, and who do not without expectation of fruit.

Sat denotes existence and goodness, O Partha; it is used in any suspicious acts.

Constancy in sacrifices, penances and gifts is also called SAT. For its sake an act is also called SAT.

Whatever oblation is offered in a sacrifice, whatever is given away, whatever penance is performed, and whatever is done, if done without faith, is, O Partha the opposite of SAT. It (opposite of SAT) will do no good to the life in this world or hereafter in the next.