Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 17.1 ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते
श्लोक 17.1
अर्जुन उवाच ।
ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः ।
तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः ॥
arjuna uvāca |
ye śāstravidhimutsṛjya yajante śraddhayānvitāḥ |
teṣāṃ niṣṭhā tu kā kṛṣṇa sattvamāho rajastamaḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
अर्जुन बोले: हे कृष्ण! जो लोग शास्त्र-विधि को छोड़कर भी श्रद्धा के साथ पूजा करते हैं, उनकी निष्ठा कैसी है? सात्त्विक, राजसी या तामसी?
Meaning in English
Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is the position of those who set aside scriptural rules yet worship with faith? Is it sattva (goodness), rajas (passion) or tamas (darkness)?
Bhagavad Gita 17.1 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अर्जुन उवाच | arjuna uvāca | Arjuna said |
| ये | ye | those who |
| शास्त्रविधिम् | śāstra-vidhim | the injunctions of scripture |
| उत्सृज्य | utsṛjya | setting aside |
| यजन्ते | yajante | worship |
| श्रद्धया अन्विताः | śraddhayā anvitāḥ | endowed with faith |
| तेषाम् | teṣām | their |
| निष्ठा | niṣṭhā | standing, basis |
| तु का | tu kā | what then is |
| कृष्ण | kṛṣṇa | O Krishna |
| सत्त्वम् | sattvam | goodness |
| आहो | āho | or |
| रजः तमः | rajaḥ tamaḥ | passion, or darkness |
Explanation
Arjuna said: What is the standing of those who set aside the rules of scripture yet worship with faith, O Krishna? Is it sattva, rajas or tamas? Arjuna has just heard that acting against scripture brings no good. Now he asks about a gentler case: people who do not know or follow the rules but whose devotion is sincere.
This question launches chapter 17, the Śraddhā-traya-vibhāga Yoga, the yoga of the threefold division of faith. Shankara takes Arjuna to be asking about those who neglect scripture through ignorance or difficulty rather than defiance, unlike the people of 16.23. Ramanuja reads the question similarly. Krishna's answer will not judge them by rules alone but by the quality of their faith, which depends on their nature. Many readers find this a humane turn: sincerity matters, but its object and quality matter too.
भावार्थ
अर्जुन ने पूछा — हे कृष्ण, जो लोग शास्त्र-विधि को छोड़कर, पर श्रद्धा से युक्त होकर पूजा करते हैं, उनकी स्थिति क्या है? वह सात्त्विक है, राजसी है या तामसी?
Living it today
Sincerity is precious, but it is worth asking what your faith rests on. Good intentions grow stronger when joined to understanding.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 17.1?
Arjuna said: What is the standing of those who set aside the rules of scripture yet worship with faith, O Krishna? Is it sattva, rajas or tamas? Arjuna has just heard that acting against scripture brings no good. Now he asks about a gentler case: people who do not know or follow the rules but whose devotion is sincere.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 17.1?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 17 (Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 17.1 in daily life?
Sincerity is precious, but it is worth asking what your faith rests on. Good intentions grow stronger when joined to understanding.
Reflected on verse 17.1?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.