As a true spiritual aspirant, Arjuna is assailed
by a number of doubts in spite of the Lord answering his genuine
doubts. He questioned the Lord, “ Oh Krishna! You have remarked in the
last sloka that those acting according to the sasthras and with faith
belong to the divine category. What about the illiterate and the
ignorant? Do they belong to the diabolic class? If they follow the
traditions and the sasthras can they belong to the divine type? Will you
put them under the Rajasic and Thamasic type? Kindly elucidate on these
points.” With great delight at this relevant question, Krishna replied,
“ Arjuna! Faith or sraddha is more important and a primary quality than
education and knowledge. What is sraddha? It is belief and faith in
the great statements of the Upanishads ( Vedanta) and the sadgurus or
the best preceptors. Acting according to their teaching is extremely
beneficial.
“ This faith is of three kinds.1 Sahwik 2 Rajasic 3 Thamasic. Sraddha includes concentrated application. Faith in things shall come according to one’s karma in his previous birth. 1 Sathwika sraddha pertains to the happiness of the self or soul like performing Gayathri Japa, recitation of stothras, and worship of God. 2 Rajasika sraddha turns a man to mammon worship—to accumulate wealth, name and fame. 3 Thamasika sraddha involves the individual in acts of violence and creating difficulties to others. The Lord goes into the details of these sraddhas one by one. Krishna continues, “ Partha! Don’t forget that man is basically a creature of faith He is what his faith makes him to be. Those who do not visit the temple at least once a year but propitiate the lower deities with toddy, mutton and animal sacrifice are the Thamasic type.
“ Tools and instruments they use in emaciating their bodies torture ME the indweller! Such people are of demoniac nature The food they take as well as their charity, and sacrifice are also of three kinds. Much depends on the food that one takes.The ferocity of the lion and the gentleness of the lamb is because of the food they take. Radish and drumstick increase sensuality. They are taboo for sanyasins and widows. Foods that offer longevity, strengthen the body and spirit and afford happiness and bliss should be taken. People who take excess of salt and chillies and other tasty foods are Rajasikas. Food with ghee, properly cooked and substantial and nutritious, that entices the palate and looks wholesome and beautiful to view is the ideal Satwik food. Thamasic food is that which is stale for four hours. One should not cook in the morning itself for the night! Rotten and bad smelling food should be avoided. Eating food of the previous day is the worst thing one can do! One should never eat the remnants of another’s food. This increases the Thamasic qualities in a person. One should not eat food that is not offered to God!
A Satwika does his duty or karma without expecting any reward either in this or the other world as ordained by the Vedas. Rajasa yajna includes bathing, performing Gayathri Japa and worship expecting happine ss in this and the other world. Sacrifices without the sanction of the sasthras. Without mantras and peace of mind and bereft of offering to Brahmins are Thamasic! (Continued)
“ This faith is of three kinds.1 Sahwik 2 Rajasic 3 Thamasic. Sraddha includes concentrated application. Faith in things shall come according to one’s karma in his previous birth. 1 Sathwika sraddha pertains to the happiness of the self or soul like performing Gayathri Japa, recitation of stothras, and worship of God. 2 Rajasika sraddha turns a man to mammon worship—to accumulate wealth, name and fame. 3 Thamasika sraddha involves the individual in acts of violence and creating difficulties to others. The Lord goes into the details of these sraddhas one by one. Krishna continues, “ Partha! Don’t forget that man is basically a creature of faith He is what his faith makes him to be. Those who do not visit the temple at least once a year but propitiate the lower deities with toddy, mutton and animal sacrifice are the Thamasic type.
“ Tools and instruments they use in emaciating their bodies torture ME the indweller! Such people are of demoniac nature The food they take as well as their charity, and sacrifice are also of three kinds. Much depends on the food that one takes.The ferocity of the lion and the gentleness of the lamb is because of the food they take. Radish and drumstick increase sensuality. They are taboo for sanyasins and widows. Foods that offer longevity, strengthen the body and spirit and afford happiness and bliss should be taken. People who take excess of salt and chillies and other tasty foods are Rajasikas. Food with ghee, properly cooked and substantial and nutritious, that entices the palate and looks wholesome and beautiful to view is the ideal Satwik food. Thamasic food is that which is stale for four hours. One should not cook in the morning itself for the night! Rotten and bad smelling food should be avoided. Eating food of the previous day is the worst thing one can do! One should never eat the remnants of another’s food. This increases the Thamasic qualities in a person. One should not eat food that is not offered to God!
A Satwika does his duty or karma without expecting any reward either in this or the other world as ordained by the Vedas. Rajasa yajna includes bathing, performing Gayathri Japa and worship expecting happine ss in this and the other world. Sacrifices without the sanction of the sasthras. Without mantras and peace of mind and bereft of offering to Brahmins are Thamasic! (Continued)
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