The Threefold Faith (Shraddhatraya-Vibhaga Yoga)

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11. That worship is Sattvic which is offered by men desiring no fruit, as

enjoined in the Law, with a fixed resolve in the mind that they should merely

worship.

 

12. That which is offered, O best of the Bharatas, with a view to reward and for

ostentation, know it to be a Rajasic worship.

 

13. They declare that worship to be Tamasic which is contrary to the ordinances,

in which no food is distributed, which is devoid of mantras and gifts and which

is devoid of faith.

 

14. Worshipping the Gods, the twice-born, teachers and wise men - purity,

straightforwardness, continence and abstinence from injury are termed the bodily

austerity.

 

15. The speech which causes no excitement and is true, as also pleasant and

beneficial and also the practice of sacred recitation, are said to form the

austerity of speech.

 

16. Serenity of mind, good-heartedness, silence, self-control, purity of nature

- this is called the mental austerity.

 

17. This threefold austerity, practised by devout men with utmost faith,

desiring no fruit, they call Sattvic.

 

18. That austerity which is practised with the object of gaining good reception,

honour and worship and with hypocrisy, is said to be of this world, to be

Rajasic, unstable and uncertain.

 

19. The austerity which is practised out of a foolish notion, with self-torture,

or for the purpose of ruining another, is declared to be Tamasic.

 

20. That gift which is given - knowing it to be a duty to give - to one who does

no service, in place and in time and to a worthy person, that gift is held

Sattvic.

 

to be continued...