Chapter 17, Verse 2
श्रीभगवानुवाच | त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा | सात्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां शृणु ॥2॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca | tri-vidhā bhavati śraddhā dehināṃ sā svabhāvajā | sāttvikī rājasī caiva tāmasī ceti tāṃ śṛṇu ||2||
"The Blessed Lord said: The faith of the embodied beings is of three kinds, born of their own nature—Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic. Now hear about it from Me."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 17.2 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 17.2 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Lord Krishna explains that faith (Shraddha) is an intrinsic component of the human constitution. It is not merely a religious belief but a fundamental orientation of the 'self' (Dehinam) dictated by one's 'Svabhava'—the latent impressions and nature formed over lifetimes. This faith manifests in three modes: Sattva (purity/clarity), Rajas (passion/action), and Tamas (ignorance/inertia). Even those who reject spirituality have faith in their logic, senses, or materialistic theories. Thus, the quality of a person's life is determined by the quality of the faith they harbor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 17.2?
The Blessed Lord said: The faith of the embodied beings is of three kinds, born of their own nature—Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic. Now hear about it from Me.