अर्जुन उवाच | ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः | तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः ||१७-१||
arjuna uvāca . ye śāstravidhimutsṛjya yajante śraddhayānvitāḥ . teṣāṃ niṣṭhā tu kā kṛṣṇa sattvamāho rajastamaḥ ||17-1||
Chapter 17 · Verse 1
Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga
श्रद्धात्रयविभागयोग
In plain words
This chapter deals with the three kinds of people who are endowed with three kinds of faith. Each of them follows a path in accordance with his inherent nature -- either Sattvic. Rajasic or Tamasic.
Translation
17.1 Arjuna said Now what, O Krsna, is the position or basis of those who leave aside the injunction of the Sastra, yet worship with faith? Is it Sattva, Rajas or Tamas?
Meaning
This chapter deals with the three kinds of people who are endowed with three kinds of faith. Each of them follows a path in accordance with his inherent nature -- either Sattvic. Rajasic or Tamasic. Arjuna says to Krishna It is very difficult to grasp the meaning of the scriptures. It is still more difficult to get a spiritual preceptor who can teach the scriptures. The vast majority of persons are not endowed with a pure subtle sharp and onepointed intellect. The span of life is short. The scriptures are endless. The obstacles on the spiritual path are many. Facilities for learning are not always available. There are conflicting statements in the scriptures which have to be reconciled. Thou hast said that liberation is not possible without a knowledge of the scriptures. An ordinary man though ignorant of or unable to follow this teaching does charity performs rituals worships the Lord with faith tries to follow the footsteps of sages and saints just as a child copies letters that have been written out for him as a model or as a blind man makes hiw way by the aid of another who possesses sight. What faith is his How should the state of such a man be described -- Sattvic. Rajasic or Tamasic What is the fate of the believers who have no knowledge of the scriptures
Word by word
ये who शास्त्रविधिम् the ordinances of the scriptures उत्सृज्य setting aside यजन्ते perform sacrifice श्रद्धया with faith अन्विताः endowed तेषाम् their निष्ठा condition तु verily का what कृष्ण O Krishna सत्त्वम् Sattva आहो or रजः Rajas तमः Tamas.