Bhagvad-Gita: Treatise of self-help by BS Murthy                                                                       <<Back to Chapter 16 Chapter-17: Science of Devotion This chapter of 28 slokas, known as sraddhaa traya vibhaaga yoga, Threefold Devotion, deals with the spiritual and temporal aptitudes of man. S11-s13 that deal with the virtuous, the passionate and the deluded in ritualistic sense and s 23 -28 concerning Om, Tat, Sat and Asat of the Vedic hymns are clear interpolations for reasons the reader is familiar with. However, s7-s10 that deal with the food habits of the virtuous, the passionate and the deluded would pose a problem in determining whether or not they are interpolations. Can eating habits be linked to the innate nature of man in an infallible manner? Perhaps, some future research and analysis might resolve the universality or otherwise of this averment, and till then, it is appropriate to reserve the judgment on these. 1 Thus spoke Arjuna: None the regard for scriptures Who tend to manage life their well What Thou say of such of beings Virtuous, passionate or merely deluded. 2      Thus spoke the Lord: It’s one’s nature that tends him To be virtuous, passionate, or delued. 3      Beings all have faith in some It's one's nature that shapes it. 4      Virtuous seek gods in worship  Opt passionate to humour ghosts      Turn all deluded towards the Hades. 5      Hoping for there all to gain Indulge vain in austerities Though not endorsed by scriptures. 6      It’s in delusion they all fast Emaciating frames of theirs, Thus in foolishness they all  Famish Mine own Self in them. 7 As with habits so with palates Come to tend all in three ways. 8 Opt virtuous all recipes fine Sustain health ’n enhance strength. 9      Hot ’n spicy, and pungent, Prefer food passionate that ill-suits. 10    Food of deluded is all stale Long in storage, and impure.  15    Rings with truth ’n laced with warmth It's speech austere that’s well-meaning. 16 Simple ’n stoic Kind and candid It’s mind austere  With self-control. 17    Wanting none Never in turn, Done in concern Deed it’s austere. 18        It’s in pretension passionate live Eye they have on name ’n fame. 19    With troubled mind all deluded live Hurt themselves ’n others as well. 20    Virtuous deed is that extends Helping hand to one in need Guided by the zeal to serve.    21    Deed passionate is quid pro quo Ever done with some end in mind.  22 Aiding dubious with disdain It’s deed deluded that lacks goal.   Ends thus: Science of Devotion, The Seventeenth Chapter   Of Bhagavad-Gita, Treatise of self-help.      (cont...)   <<Back to Chapter 16 Introduction  Chapter 1   Chapter 2    Chapter 3    Chapter 4    Chapter 5    Chapter 6  Chapter 7  Chapter 8    Chapter 9   Chapter 10 Chapter 11   Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14  Chapter 15  Chapter 16  Chapter 17  Chapter 18 Hinduism main page