SRADDHA THRAYA VIBHAGA YOGA PART TWO

ontinuing the description of the three kinds of Sraddha namely Sathwik, Rajasic and Thamasic, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that men can be identified for their type through their tapas. The first and foremost is physical restraint or 'sareerika tapas'. The ways in which the body has to be used are 1 service to God and other related activities 2 respecting and even worshipping a great  Vedic Scholar. 3 offering respect to the Guru who imparts devotion, jnana and non attahment 4 cleanliness or soucha 5 harmony of thought, word and deed or 'arjava' 6 celebacy or brahmacharya, diverting the sensory organs towards god. in other words all parts of our body must be directed to the service of God. Our tongue should be used for uttering the name of God, not for gossip and scandal mongering. Truth, if it hurts any one, need not be said. Truth should be spoken to make others happy.
        " Arjuna! Keep your mind and heart pure. You should wish well for the beings of the world. Maintain the vow of silence. Do not betray others. Think always honestly," said the Lord to the Pandava warrior. Penance or tapas is of nine kinds. Sathwic, Rajasic and Thamasic penance fall into three divisions each. They are physical, literary, and of the mind. God given riches and education must be utilized for the benefit of others, Charity, within one's means, in the name of God is called Sathwik Dana. Krishna asks Arjuna to discard his ego and attachment and offer gladly thinking that he is distributing  God's property to HIS children. Charity should be given to the deserving. Feeding the people or anna dana is the best as it satisfies the individual fully unlike other desires! Food must be served to a good, pious and service minded person Feeding such a person results in the liberation of 21 generations of the host's  ancestors! When the great Suka Maharshi partatook of tha annadana by the Pandavas by smelling a morsel of food, a bell rang continuously for half an hour to underline its importance. This is called Sathwic dana.
           Rajasic dana or charity is giving alms to others expecting happiness in this and the other world. Thamasic dana is charity given to the undeserving, at an ordinary place and time. Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that those who take Rajasic and thamasic food should repeat the mantra 'OM TAT SAT.'  Krishna explains the significance of OMKARA otherwise called as PRANAVA. It is a combination of the three letters A U and M. They represent the trinity-- Brahma,the creator, Vishnu, the protector and Maheswara,the destroyer. They indicate Paramatma, Jivatma and Prakrithi, the three Vedas, Rig, Yajus and the Sama. They signify Sat, Chith and Ananda-Existence, Awareness and Bliss. The word 'Tat' represents that which is far away and invisible. SAT is that which has no beginning, or middle or end. The universe is called "asadvasthu"-that which was not there, which is not there, and which is not going to be in future! The ' atma' alone is the 'sadvasthu'.
              " How can one remember this mantra? Please let me know!" said Arjuna to Krishna.  "Arjuna! repeat either the PANCHAKSHARI or the ASHTAKSHARI mantra before meals or at least the names of RAMA or KRISHNA that destroy the Rajasic and Thamasic qualities of food." replied the Lord. He tells Arjuna that all actions done without faith or sraddha are useless. 'Sathkarma' is that which is done with faith in the Vedas, sasthras, and Puranas. A faithless person loses all the PURUSHARTHAS---Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha also!