Summary
Arjuna asks a crucial question: what happens to people who worship sincerely but don't follow traditional religious rules? Krishna's answer reveals one of the most practical spiritual insights in the entire Gita. He explains that faith itself comes in three types, each reflecting our inner nature. Pure faith leads people to worship what's genuinely divine and beneficial. Passionate faith drives people toward flashy, ego-driven spiritual practices. Dark faith attracts people to harmful or destructive forces. Krishna then applies this framework to everything from food choices to religious rituals to charitable giving. He shows how the same action - like making a donation or performing a ceremony - can be pure, passionate, or dark depending on the motivation behind it. A gift given freely with no expectation of return represents pure action. A gift given to impress others or get something back is passionate. A gift given grudgingly or at the wrong time to the wrong person is dark. This isn't about judging others harshly, but about honest self-examination. Krishna is teaching Arjuna (and us) to look beyond surface appearances and examine the true motivations driving our choices. The chapter offers a practical tool for spiritual self-assessment: before acting, ask yourself whether you're motivated by genuine care, ego and desire, or ignorance and negativity. This awareness helps us gradually align our actions with our highest values rather than getting caught up in spiritual performance.
Coming Up in Chapter 18
In the final chapter, Arjuna asks Krishna to clarify the difference between renunciation and surrender - two concepts that sound similar but lead to very different ways of living. Krishna's answer will tie together all the teachings of the Gita into a final, practical wisdom for navigating life's challenges.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Arjuna. If men forsake the holy ordinance, Heedless of Shastras, yet keep faith at heart And worship, what shall be the state of those, Great Krishna! Sattwan, Rajas, Tamas? Say! Krishna. Threefold the faith is of mankind and springs From those three qualities,--becoming "true," Or "passion-stained," or "dark," as thou shalt hear! The faith of each believer, Indian Prince! Conforms itself to what he truly is. Where thou shalt see a worshipper, that one To what he worships lives assimilate, [Such as the shrine, so is the votary,] The "soothfast" souls adore true gods; the souls Obeying Rajas worship Rakshasas[FN#34] Or Yakshas; and the men of Darkness pray To Pretas and to Bhutas.[FN#35] Yea, and those Who practise bitter penance, not enjoined By rightful rule--penance which hath its root In self-sufficient, proud hypocrisies-- Those men, passion-beset, violent, wild, Torturing--the witless ones--My elements Shut in fair company within their flesh, (Nay, Me myself, present within the flesh!) Know them to devils devoted, not to Heaven! For like as foods are threefold for mankind In nourishing, so is there threefold way Of worship, abstinence, and almsgiving! Hear this of Me! there is a food which brings Force, substance, strength, and health, and joy to live, Being well-seasoned, cordial, comforting, The "Soothfast" meat. And there be foods which bring Aches and unrests, and burning blood, and grief, Being too biting, heating, salt, and sharp, And therefore craved by too strong appetite. And there is foul food--kept from over-night,[FN#36] Savourless, filthy, which the foul will eat, A feast of rottenness, meet for the lips Of such as love the "Darkness." Thus with rites;-- A sacrifice not for rewardment made, Offered in rightful wise, when he who vows Sayeth, with heart devout, "This I should do!" Is "Soothfast" rite. But sacrifice for gain, Offered for good repute, be sure that this, O Best of Bharatas! is Rajas-rite, With stamp of "passion." And a sacrifice Offered against the laws, with no due dole Of food-giving, with no accompaniment Of hallowed hymn, nor largesse to the priests, In faithless celebration, call it vile, The deed of "Darkness!"--lost! Worship of gods Meriting worship; lowly reverence Of Twice-borns, Teachers, Elders; Purity, Rectitude, and the Brahmacharya's vow, And not to injure any helpless thing,-- These make a true religiousness of Act. Words causing no man woe, words ever true, Gentle and pleasing words, and those ye say In murmured reading of a Sacred Writ,-- These make the true religiousness of Speech. Serenity of soul, benignity, Sway of the silent Spirit, constant stress To sanctify the Nature,--these things make Good rite, and true religiousness of Mind. Such threefold faith, in highest piety Kept, with no hope of gain, by hearts devote, Is perfect work of Sattwan, true belief. Religion shown in act of proud display To win good entertainment, worship, fame, Such--say I--is of Rajas, rash and vain. Religion followed by a witless will To torture self, or come at power to hurt Another,--'tis of Tamas, dark and ill. The gift...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Hidden Motives - Why Good Actions Can Still Go Wrong
The same action produces different results depending on the true motivation behind it, even when the surface behavior appears identical.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to look beneath surface actions and recognize the true driving forces behind people's behavior.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone does something helpful or generous—then quietly ask yourself what might really be motivating them, including yourself when you help others.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Sattva, Rajas, Tamas
The three fundamental qualities that shape human nature and behavior. Sattva represents purity and wisdom, Rajas represents passion and activity, Tamas represents ignorance and inertia. Everything we do reflects one of these three modes.
Modern Usage:
We see this in workplace personalities - the colleague who stays calm and focused (sattva), the one who's always hustling and dramatic (rajas), and the one who's negative and resistant to change (tamas).
Rakshasas and Yakshas
Supernatural beings in Hindu mythology that represent forces of passion and material desire. People driven by ego and ambition are drawn to worship these types of energies rather than divine qualities.
Modern Usage:
Like people who idolize toxic celebrities, ruthless billionaires, or anyone who represents pure ambition without moral constraints.
Pretas and Bhutas
Ghosts and evil spirits in Hindu belief, representing the lowest spiritual forces. People consumed by darkness and negativity are naturally attracted to destructive influences.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how some people gravitate toward conspiracy theories, hate groups, or anything that feeds anger and paranoia.
Threefold classification
Krishna's method of dividing all human activities - worship, food, charity, penance - into three categories based on the motivation behind them. This creates a practical tool for self-examination.
Modern Usage:
Like analyzing whether you're exercising for health (pure), for Instagram likes (passionate), or because you hate your body (dark).
Ordained vs. unordained practices
The difference between following established spiritual guidelines versus making up your own extreme practices. Krishna warns against self-invented penances that often stem from ego rather than genuine devotion.
Modern Usage:
Like the difference between following proven health advice versus extreme fad diets that make you feel superior but harm your body.
Faith according to nature
The idea that what we believe in and worship naturally reflects our inner character. Pure people are drawn to pure ideals, passionate people to exciting causes, dark people to destructive forces.
Modern Usage:
You can tell someone's values by looking at their heroes - whether they admire teachers and healers, celebrities and influencers, or trolls and provocateurs.
Characters in This Chapter
Arjuna
Questioning student
Asks the practical question about people who worship sincerely but don't follow traditional rules. His question shows he's thinking about real-world spiritual dilemmas, not just battlefield strategy.
Modern Equivalent:
The employee asking HR about gray areas in company policy
Krishna
Spiritual teacher
Provides a comprehensive framework for understanding different types of faith and motivation. He moves beyond simple rule-following to help Arjuna understand the deeper principles behind spiritual practice.
Modern Equivalent:
The mentor who teaches you to think for yourself instead of just following procedures
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The faith of each believer conforms itself to what he truly is"
Context: Explaining why people are drawn to different types of spiritual practices
This reveals that our spiritual choices aren't random - they reflect our inner character. It's both liberating and challenging because it means we can't fake our way to enlightenment, but we can grow by examining what we're actually drawn to.
In Today's Words:
You worship what you are inside
"There is a food which brings force, substance, strength, and health, and joy to live"
Context: Describing pure food that nourishes both body and spirit
Krishna uses food as a concrete example of how the same basic need can be met in ways that either elevate or degrade us. This makes spiritual principles practical and applicable to daily choices.
In Today's Words:
Some food actually makes you feel good and gives you energy
"Those men, passion-beset, violent, wild, torturing the witless ones"
Context: Warning about people who create extreme spiritual practices to feed their ego
This warns against spiritual practices that become about proving how tough or dedicated you are rather than genuine growth. It's a caution about spiritual ego disguised as devotion.
In Today's Words:
Some people turn spirituality into a competition to show off how hardcore they are
Thematic Threads
Self-Examination
In This Chapter
Krishna teaches Arjuna to look beyond surface actions and examine the true motivations driving choices
Development
Builds on earlier chapters about duty and action by adding the crucial element of inner motivation
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself doing the 'right thing' for the wrong reasons and need to get honest about your real motives.
Faith
In This Chapter
Faith itself comes in three types—pure, passionate, and dark—each reflecting different inner natures
Development
Introduced here as a new framework for understanding spiritual and moral development
In Your Life:
You might notice that what you put your faith in (money, status, relationships) reveals your current level of spiritual maturity.
Class
In This Chapter
The three types of faith and action transcend traditional religious rules and social boundaries
Development
Continues the theme that spiritual worth isn't determined by birth or social position
In Your Life:
You might realize that your values and motivations matter more than following all the 'right' social expectations.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Gradual alignment of actions with highest values through honest self-assessment
Development
Builds on earlier teachings about disciplined action by adding the element of motivation awareness
In Your Life:
You might start catching yourself before acting from ego or ignorance and choose to wait for better motivations.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
How the quality of our giving, helping, and interacting depends entirely on our inner state
Development
Expands earlier teachings about duty to others by examining the spirit behind our actions
In Your Life:
You might notice how your relationships improve when you act from genuine care rather than trying to get something back.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Krishna describes three types of faith that drive people's actions. What are these three types, and how does each one show up in daily behavior?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Krishna say the same action—like giving a gift or helping someone—can be pure, passionate, or dark depending on motivation? What makes the difference?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about your workplace or family. Where do you see people doing the 'right' thing but for ego-driven or self-serving reasons? How can you tell the difference?
application • medium - 4
Krishna suggests examining your true motivations before acting. How would you apply this to a situation where you're considering helping a coworker or family member?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the gap between how we see ourselves and our actual motivations? Why is self-honesty so difficult but crucial?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Motivation Detective Work
Think of three recent actions you took that seemed helpful or generous—volunteering for something, giving advice, offering help, making a donation, or posting something positive online. For each action, honestly examine what was really driving you underneath. Write down the surface reason you told yourself, then dig deeper for any hidden motivations.
Consider:
- •Be brutally honest—this is for your eyes only, so you can afford to tell the truth
- •Look for patterns in what motivates you: approval, control, avoiding conflict, genuine care
- •Notice that mixed motivations are normal—most actions have multiple drivers
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you discovered your real motivation was different from what you initially thought. How did that awareness change how you approached similar situations?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 18: The Ultimate Teaching: Surrender and Liberation
What lies ahead teaches us to distinguish between true renunciation and mere avoidance, and shows us doing your natural work imperfectly beats doing someone else's work perfectly. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.