Arjuna said, Krishna, what is the position of those people who perform worship with faith but disregard the scriptural rules and regulations? Is their worship in the mode of goodness, passion or ignorance?
Lord Krishna said, Faith arises from the modes of material nature developed by the embodied living beings. Faith can have the quality of goodness, passion or ignorance.
Faith is an element of the living beings true nature. Thus, the faith of each living being corresponds to their individual consciousness. The living beings have a particular type of faith according to the qualities of material nature that predominate.
Those with faith in the mode of goodness worship the gods, those with faith of a passionate nature worship the demoniac, and those with faith in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts and evil spirits.
Those motivated by pride, lust and egotism perform severe austerities not sanctioned by the scriptures. They torment their bodies and the Supreme Self within. Such people have a demoniac faith.
According to their dispositions under the modes of nature, people also prefer three kinds of food, as well as three types of sacrifice, austerity and charity. Now hear about these.
Food that increases longevity and gives strength, vitality, health, happiness and satisfaction are preferred by people in the mode of goodness. Such food is nourishing, succulent, sustaining and palatable.
Food that is too bitter, sour, salty, pungent, dry and hot appeal to those in the mode of passion. Such food causes pain, sorrow and disease.
Those in the mode of ignorance like food that is tasteless, stale, putrid and unsuitable for offering in sacrifice.
Sacrifice performed in accordance with scriptural regulations by those who have no desire to enjoy personal reward, is sacrifice in the mode of goodness.
Sacrifice performed with expectation of some material profit, or performed as a display of pride and grandeur, is sacrifice in the mode of passion.
Sacrifice performed that disregard the scriptural injunctions, where no offered food is given in charity, no chanting of the appropriate mantras, no gifts to the priests and without faith, is sacrifice in the mode of ignorance
Worship of the Supreme Lord, the priests and the spiritual teacher done with cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and non-violence are austerities of the body.
Speech that does not disturb others; speech that is truthful, pleasing and beneficial to others; and regular recitation of the Vedic scriptures are verbal austerities.
Austerity of the mind consists of gentleness, serenity, stability, self-control and purity of thought.
When those who desire only to please the Supreme Lord practice this threefold austerity of thought, word and deed, it is austerity in the mode of goodness.
Austerities performed for the sake of material gain, praise or honour, are austerities in the mode of passion. Such austerities are unstable and transient.
Austerities performed foolishly, causing pain to oneself or others, are austerities in the mode of ignorance.
Charity given as a matter of duty; without expecting anything in return; at the appropriate time and place; to a worthy recipient, is charity in the mode of goodness.
Charity given reluctantly, expecting something in return or desiring the results, is charity in the mode of passion.
Charity given scornfully, at the wrong time and place, to an unworthy recipient, is charity in the mode of ignorance.
Any sacrifices, charity and austerities that are performed without faith in the ultimate goal are temporary. Such activities can never bestow a favourable result, so they are futile in this world and the next.
