Chapter 17 • Verse 1
अर्जुन उवाच। ये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः। तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः॥
arjuna uvācha ye śhāstra-vidhim utsṛijya yajante śhraddhayānvitāḥ teṣhāṁ niṣhṭhā tu kā kṛiṣhṇa sattvam āho rajas tamaḥ
Meaning
Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is the condition of those who, setting aside scriptural injunctions, worship with faith? Is it sattva, rajas, or tamas?
Arjuna asks about those who worship sincerely but without following scripture. What determines their nature — their faith or their ignorance of rules? This opens a discussion on the role of faith (shraddha).
Strength Reflection
"I examine the quality of my faith beyond mere external observances."
Devotional Surrender
O Lord, reveal to me the nature of true faith.