15. Speech which causes no vexation, and is true, as also agreeable and beneficial, and regular study of the Vedas,--

these are said to form the austerity of speech.

16. Serenity of mind, kindliness, silence, self-control, honesty of motive,--this is called the mental austerity.

17. This threefold austerity practised by steadfast men, with great Shraddha, desiring no fruit, is said to be Sattvika.

18. That austerity which is practised with the object of gaining welcome, honour and worship, and with ostentation, is here said to be Rajasika, unstable and transitory.

19. That austerity which is practised out of a foolish notion, with self-torture or for the purpose of wining another, is declared to be Tamasika.

20. To give is right, gift given with this idea, to one who does no service in return, in a fit place and to a worthy person, that gift is held to be Sattvika.

21. And what is given with a view to receiving in return, or looking for the fruit, or again reluctantly, that gift is held to be Rajasika.

22. The gift that is given at the wrong place or time, to unworthy persons, without regard or with disdain, that is declared to be Tamasika.

23. "Om, Tat, Sat": this has been declared to be the triple designation of Brahman. By that were made of old the Brahmanas, the Vedas and the Yajnas.

24. Therefore, uttering 'Om,' are the acts of sacrifice, gift and austerity as enjoined in the ordinances, always begun by the followers of the Vedas.

25. Uttering Tat, without aiming at fruits, are the various acts of Yajna, austerity and gift performed by the seekers of Moksha.

26. The word Sat is used in the sense of reality and of goodness; and so also, Partha, the word Sat is used in the sense of an auspicious act.

27. Steadiness in Yajna, austerity and gift is also called 'Sat': as also action in connection with these (or, action for the sake of the Lord) is called Sat.

28. Whatever is sacrificed, given or performed, and whatever austerity is practised without Shraddha, it is called Asat, O Partha; it is naught here or hereafter.

The end of the Seventeenth Chapter designated: THE ENQUIRY INTO THE THREEFOLD SHRADDHA.

Footnotes

^349:1 Setting . . . Shraddha: not that they believe the ordinance of the Shastra to be false, but out of laziness or because of the difficulty in adhering to them strictly, they let them alone and worship the gods, endued with Shraddha.

^350:2 Inherent . . . nature: born of their past Samskaras. It--the threefold Shraddha.

^351:3 Natural disposition--the specific tendencies or Samskaras.

^352:5 Austerities--which cause pain to himself and to other living beings.

Possessed attachment--may also be interpreted as, 'possessed of lust, attachment and power.'

All the organs of the body: the aggregate of all the elements composing the body.