What else--but lust can be the cause of the universe?--This is the view of the Lokayatikas, the materialists.

^341:9 Small intellect--as it concerns itself only with sense-objects and cannot soar higher.

^342:11 Cares--as to the means of acquiring and preserving the innumerable objects of desire.

^346:19 Wombs of Asuras: Wombs of the most cruel beings, as tigers, snakes, etc.

Worlds: Paths of Samsara passing through many a hell.

^347:21 Destructive of the self: making the self fit for no human end whatever.

^348:23 Perfection: fitness for attaining the end of man.

^348:24 Here: in this world.

SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER

Arjuna said:

1. Those who setting aside the ordinance of the Shastra, perform sacrifice with Shraddha, what is their condition, O Krishna? (Is it) Sattva, Rajas or Tamas?

The Blessed Lord said:

2. Threefold is the Shraddha of the embodied, which is inherent in their nature,--the Sattvika, the Rajasika and the Tamasika. Do thou hear of it.

3. The Shraddha of each is according to his natural disposition, O descendant of Bharata. The man consists of his Shraddha; he verily is what his Shraddha is.

4. Sattvika men worship the Devas; Rajasika, the Yakshas and the Rakshasas; the others--the Tamasika men--the Pretas and the hosts of Bhutas.

5-6. Those men who practise severe austerities not enjoined by the Shastras, given to ostentation and egoism, possessed with the power of lust and attachment, torture, senseless as they are, all the organs in the body, and Me dwelling in the body within; know them to be of Asurika resolve.

7. The food also which is liked by each of them is threefold, as also Yajna, austerity and almsgiving. Do thou hear this, their distinction.

8. The foods which augment vitality, energy, strength, health, cheerfulness and appetite, which are savoury and oleaginous, substantial and , are liked by the Sattvika.

9. The foods that are bitter, sour, saline, excessively hot, pungent, dry and burning, are liked by the Rajasika, and are productive of pain, grief and disease.

10. That which is stale, tasteless, stinking, cooked overnight, refuse and impure, is the food liked by the Tamasika.

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11. That Yajna is Sattvika which is performed by men desiring no fruit, as enjoined by ordinance, with their mind fixed on the Yajna only, for its own sake.

12. That which is performed, O best of the Bharatas, seeking for fruit and for ostentation, know it to be a Rajasika Yajna.

13. The Yajna performed without heed to ordinance, in which no food is distributed, which is devoid of Mantras, gifts, and Shraddha, is said to be Tamasika.

14. Worship of the Devas, the twice-born, the Gurus and the wise, purity, straightforwardness, continence, and non-injury are called the austerity of the body.