The Yoga of the Threefold Faith
Chapter 17
The seventeenth chapter discusses how faith (sraddha) manifests in individuals based on the predominance of the three gunas. Krishna explains that people's faith, worship, food preferences, and types of austerities are determined by their nature, which is influenced by the gunas. He describes three types of faith: sattvic (pure, spiritual), rajasic (passionate, materialistic), and tamasic (ignorant, destructive). The chapter emphasizes that one's faith and practices reflect their inner nature and that understanding this helps in spiritual progress.
🎭Context & Background
What Happened Before This Moment?
The Bhagavad Gita takes place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where two groups of cousins—the Pandavas and Kauravas—are about to engage in a devastating war.
The Kauravas, led by Duryodhana, had unjustly usurped the kingdom that rightfully belonged to the Pandavas. Despite numerous attempts at peace, including Krishna's diplomatic mission, war became inevitable.
Both armies have assembled on the sacred field of Kurukshetra. Arjuna, the greatest archer among the Pandavas, has Krishna as his charioteer. As the conch shells blow signaling the start of battle, Arjuna asks Krishna to position his chariot between the two armies so he can survey the warriors.
What happens next—Arjuna's sudden crisis of conscience upon seeing his relatives, teachers, and friends on both sides—sets the stage for one of humanity's greatest philosophical dialogues.
Want to learn the complete story? The full Mahabharata story will be available soon in our Mahabharata section.
👥Key Characters
Dhritarashtra
The blind king of Hastinapura, father of the Kauravas. Unable to see the battlefield, he asks his advisor Sanjaya to describe the events.
Sanjaya
Dhritarashtra's charioteer and advisor, blessed by sage Vyasa with divine vision to see and narrate the entire battle from a distance.
Arjuna
The great warrior prince and Pandava, who will experience a moral crisis on seeing his relatives arrayed for battle. His conversation with Krishna forms the Bhagavad Gita.
Krishna
Arjuna's charioteer and divine guide. Though introduced briefly in Chapter 1, he will deliver the profound teachings that form the essence of the Gita.
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