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In chapter fourteen, Shri Krishna explains the three prime gunas that drive every human being. Based on the faith of a living being, these gunas affect him, such as Sattvik, Rajsik, and Tamsik. It depends on the nature of the mind that which qualities it will adapt or which guna will be dominating in its nature.
The guna which dominates a person is defined by many things such as the food we eat, the color of clothes they prefer, the kind of thoughts they cultivate, and more.
Shri Krishna then explains the yajna or the importance of sacrifice and how by sacrificing each work to God, a soul can change its nature and get more absorbed in God. Next, the Lord explains the types of austerities and how they are performed; accordingly, these austerities provide different results.
In this chapter, Krishna explains the importance of “Om Tat Sat” and how the syllable “Om” represents God. Here Tat means ceremonies and actions performed toward the Supreme. Sat refers to virtue and goodness. Shri Krishan then concludes this chapter by explaining that how the act of sacrifice, austerity, and charity performed without faith go in vain.
Arjun said: O Krishna, what happens to the people who don’t believe what is written in scriptures but worship faith? Do they remain in the mode of goodness, passion, or ignorance?
The Supreme Divine Personality said: Every human being is born with faith. This faith can take any form: sāttvic, rājasic, or tāmasic.
The faith that the mind possesses determines its very nature. This faith determines if the person will be more Sattvik, Tamasic, or Rajasic.
Those who are Sattvik or in the mode of goodness worship the almighty. Those who are driven by passion indulge in the worship of yakṣhas and rākṣhasas; however, Tamsic worship ghosts and spirits.
Some people perform austerities that lead to hypocrisy and egotism. Such people are attached to the material world and desires. These are senseless people who have demonic qualities.
Also, the food that one intake determines which kind of mode dominates him Sattvic, Rajasic, or Tamasic.
People who follow goodness have increased life, virtue, strength, happiness and stay more satisfied in life.
Those who indulge in consuming salty, too sour, hot, pungent, and cold foods are often of Rajasic nature. Such foods bring them pain and grief along with various diseases.
An ignorant person would often consume foods that are stale, impure, and polluted. Those who are influenced by the goodness mode sacrifice all their duties to God without reward expectations.
Passion mode leads those who perform the actions and expect the reward or the fruit of their effort.
Those who stay in the mode of ignorance don’t chant any mantras, don’t make donations, and don’t offer any food.
The austerity of the body happens when a person worships the Supreme Lord and gives respect to Brahmins, teachers, and spiritual masters. Such a person remains clean, simple, and non-violent.
The austerity of speech is when you stay truthful, inoffensive in your words, and beneficial to others. It also happens when you recite the Vedic scriptures.
The austerity of mind means gentleness, silence, self-control, and.
When a person with a pure heart and faith in Supreme performs these three austerities, he gets in the mode of goodness and becomes closer to God.
Austerity, which a person performs to gain respect, results, honor, and adoration in society, leads to a mode of passion.
Austerity where the person remains confused or tortures themselves or others stays in the mode of ignorance.
Goodness is when you donate to a person who is in need without expecting anything in return. Sattvic qualities more influence such a person.
However, when one makes charity with hesitation and with the hope of a return or expectation is driven by the mode of passion.
The word “Om Tat Sat” is the most important since it represents the Supreme or the beginning of the creation. After that, everything like priests, scriptures, and sacrifices come along. The person who donates while chanting “Om Tat Sat” performs as advised in the Vedic injunctions. Hence such a soul yields its most result even without expecting it.
People who expect the fruits of their effort utter the word “Tat.” _Such people expect liberation from the material world for making the charity or donation.
The word “Sat” means eternal existence and goodness. It is uttered to describe an auspicious action. The action performed toward sacrifice, penance, and charity is also represented by the word “Sat.”
O son of Pritha, whatever charity is done without faith and trust in the Supreme always refers to “Asat.” Such donations don’t make any use in any world and don’t lead a person toward any liberation and satisfaction.