The Yoga of the Threefold Faith

Arjuna asks a crucial question that opens Chapter 17. Some people worship with faith (śraddhayā anvitāḥ) but abandon scriptural injunctions (śāstra-vidhim utsṛjya). They create their own practices, follow personal preferences, or adapt traditions to their convenience. Arjuna wants to know: what kind of faith is this? Is it sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), or tamas (ignorance)? This question reveals a common dilemma: sincere faith versus scriptural authority. Krishna will explain that faith itself is shaped by the gunas—the quality of faith matters more than whether it follows scriptural rules. But faith without understanding leads to practices that reflect one's nature, not necessarily what's spiritually beneficial. This verse sets up the chapter's theme: faith is real, but its quality determines its outcome.