Chapter 17, Religion by the Threefold Kinds of Faith Summary and Analysis

Arjuna asks Krishna what happens to true believers who are functioning in each of the three modes, whose actions are governed mainly by the soothe, the passion, the ignorance? This occurs when people truly believe in their heart of hearts but break rules of the religion anyway.

Krishna says that people will either become "true," or "passion stained," or "dark." He explains that those ruled by "goodness" only worship true gods. Those controlled by passion,err and revere powerful spirits but not the true gods. Those governed by ignorance end up honoring evil spirits or ghosts.

Krishna explains that the motivations and feelings of those who perform rites and who make offerings influence on another level what goes on. Any sacrifice that is made for the sake...