abhisandhāya tu phalaḿ
dambhārtham api caiva yat
ijyate bharata-śreṣṭha
taḿ yajñaḿ viddhi rājasam

Translation

But the sacrifice performed for some material benefit, or for the sake of pride, O chief of the Bharatas, you should know to be in the mode of passion.

vidhi-hīnam asṛṣṭānnaḿ
mantra-hīnam adakṣiṇam
śraddhā-virahitaḿ yajñaḿ
tāmasaḿ paricakṣate

Translation

Any sacrifice performed without regard for the directions of scripture, without distribution of prasadam [spiritual food], without chanting of Vedic hymns and remunerations to the priests, and without faith is considered to be in the mode of ignorance.

deva-dvija-guru-prājña-
pūjanaḿ śaucam ārjavam
brahmacaryam ahiḿsā ca
śārīraḿ tapa ucyate

Translation

Austerity of the body consists in worship of the Supreme Lord, the brahmanas, the spiritual master, and superiors like the father and mother, and in cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and nonviolence.

anudvega-karaḿ vākyaḿ
satyaḿ priya-hitaḿ ca yat
svādhyāyābhyasanaḿ caiva
vāń-mayaḿ tapa ucyate

Translation

Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature.

manaḥ-prasādaḥ saumyatvaḿ
maunam ātma-vinigrahaḥ
bhāva-saḿśuddhir ity etat
tapo mānasam ucyate

Translation

And satisfaction, simplicity, gravity, self-control and purification of one’s existence are the austerities of the mind.

śraddhayā parayā taptaḿ
tapas tat tri-vidhaḿ naraiḥ
aphalākāńkṣibhir yuktaiḥ
sāttvikaḿ paricakṣate

Translation

This threefold austerity, performed with transcendental faith by men not expecting material benefits but engaged only for the sake of the Supreme, is called austerity in goodness.

satkāra-māna-pūjārthaḿ
tapo dambhena caiva yat
kriyate tad iha proktaḿ
rājasaḿ calam adhruvam

Translation

Penance performed out of pride and for the sake of gaining respect, honor and worship is said to be in the mode of passion. It is neither stable nor permanent.

mūḍha-grāheṇātmano yat
pīḍayā kriyate tapaḥ
parasyotsādanārthaḿ vā
tat tāmasam udāhṛtam

Translation

Penance performed out of foolishness, with self-torture or to destroy or injure others, is said to be in the mode of ignorance.

dātavyam iti yad dānaḿ
dīyate ’nupakāriṇe
deśe kāle ca pātre ca
tad dānaḿ sāttvikaḿ smṛtam

Translation

Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, and to a worthy person is considered to be in the mode of goodness.

yat tu pratyupakārārthaḿ
phalam uddiśya vā punaḥ
dīyate ca parikliṣṭaḿ
tad dānaḿ rājasaḿ smṛtam

Translation

But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood, is said to be charity in the mode of passion.