These threefold austerities performed with faith, and without thought of reward, may
truly be accounted Pure.
Austerity coupled with hypocrisy or performed for the sake of self-glorification,
popularity or vanity, comes from Passion, and its result is always doubtful and temporary.
Austerity done under delusion, and accompanied with sorcery or torture to oneself or
another, may be assumed to spring from Ignorance.
The gift which is given without thought of recompense, in the belief that it ought to be
made, in a fit place, at an opportune time and to a deserving person – such a gift is Pure.
That which is given for the sake of the results it will produce, or with the hope of
recompense,or grudgingly – that may truly be said to be the outcome of Passion.
And that which is given at an unsuitable place or time or to one who is unworthy, or with
disrespect or contempt – such a gift is the result of Ignorance.
`Om Tat Sat’ is the triple designation of the Eternal Spirit, by which of old the Vedic
Scriptures, the ceremonials and the sacrifices were ordained.
Therefore all acts of sacrifice, gifts and austerities, prescribed by the scriptures, are always
begun by those who understand the Spirit with the word Om.
Those who desire deliverance begin their acts of sacrifice, austerity or gift with the word
`Tat’ (meaning `That’), without thought of reward.
`Sat’ means Reality or the highest Good, and also, O Arjuna, it is used to mean an action of
exceptional merit.
Conviction in sacrifice, in austerity and in giving is also called `Sat.’ So too an action done
only for the Lord’s sake.
Whatsoever is done without faith, whether it be sacrifice, austerity or gift or anything else,
as called `Asat’ (meaning `Unreal’) for it is the negation of `Sat,’ O Arjuna! Such an act has
no significance, here or hereafter.”
Thus, in the Holy Book the Bhagavad Gita, one of the Upanishads, in the Science of the Supreme
Spirit, in the Art of Self-Knowledge, in the colloquy between the Divine Lord Shri Krishna and the
Prince Arjuna, stands the seventeenth chapter, entitled: The Threefold Faith
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