Chapter 17, Verse 1
अर्जुन उवाच | ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विता: | तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्वमाहो रजस्तम: ॥1॥
arjuna uvāca | ye śāstravidhim utsṛjya yajante śraddhayānvitāḥ | teṣāṃ niṣṭhā tu kā kṛṣṇa sattvam āho rajas tamaḥ ||
"Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is the standing of those who, while ignoring the injunctions of the scriptures, perform worship with faith? Is it in the mode of goodness (Sattva), passion (Rajas), or ignorance (Tamas)?"
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 17.1 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 17.1 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
This verse opens the 17th chapter (Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga). Arjuna seeks clarification on the status of individuals who possess 'Shraddha' (faith/sincerity) but do not or cannot follow 'Shastra-vidhi' (the formal procedures or injunctions of the scriptures). He asks Krishna to categorize this state of being within the framework of the three Gunas (modes of nature), questioning if sincerity alone can transcend the lack of scriptural knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 17.1?
Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is the standing of those who, while ignoring the injunctions of the scriptures, perform worship with faith? Is it in the mode of goodness (Sattva), passion (Rajas), or ignorance (Tamas)?