The Bhagavad Gita; Or, the Message of the Master

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1911. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... PART XVII. THE THREEFOLD FAITH. Thus further, spake Arjuna, unto Krishna, the Blessed Lord, saying: "What is the condition and state of those men who casteth aside the authority of the Sacred Writings, yet who still retain their faith and worship? Are they under the control of the Sattvas; the Rajas; or the Tamas Gunasf Tell me thus, O Blessed Krishna, my Lord, I pray Thee!" Krishna: "The Faith of Man is of a threefold kind--three forms of manifestations hath it, according to the nature, character and disposition of the man. Named after the Gunas are these three forms, namely Sattvakee; Rajasee; and Tamasee--or in other words, The Pure; the Desire-colored; and The Dark. Heareth thou what these are, O Prince. "The faith of each man is a reflection of that man's character or nature. That in which each hath faith, is the essence of that man himself. Each man's God--his Conception of Deity--is himself at his best, magnified to infinity. Likewise, is his Evil Spirit, or Devil, but himself at his worst, magnified to infinity. By one's Dieties shalt thou know the man himself, if thou observest well. "This being so, those in whom the Sattvas Guna is supreme, worshippeth the Gods--the most advanced worshipping only the Absolute Spirit--ME! And those under the mastery of the Rajas Guna, worshippeth the lesser gods --the gods of qualities, attributes, powers, gifts; or other exalted beings of the higher planes and regions. And those under the do 'minion of the dark Tamas Guna, worship the . departed spirits, ghosts, goblins, devils, demons, gnomes, evil spirits and the elemen tals, and such beings of the lower planes of the unseen world, oftimes times calling them by i the name of God. "As for those misguided men, who seek merit by the performance of severe auster...