Chapter XVII of the Bhagavad-Gita delves into the nuances of faith, worship, and the inherent nature of human beings as questioned by Arjuna and expounded by Krishna. Arjuna’s inquiry pertains to the fate of those who, disregarding sacred traditions and scriptures, follow their conviction in worship. Krishna categorizes faith into three distinct types, stemming from the qualities (Gunas) – Sattva (truth and goodness), Rajas (passion and activity), and Tamas (ignorance and inertia).

Krishna elucidates that an individual’s faith mirrors their inherent nature. Those who are pure in spirit (‘Soothfast’) worship the divine, while adherents of passion (Rajas) bow to ambitious spirits and demons, and the beings shrouded in darkness (Tamas) venerate ghosts and spirits of the lower order. He strongly criticizes practices of severe penance that are performed out of pride and hypocrisy, declaring such practitioners as deviating towards demonic, not divine. He emphasizes that worship, austerity, and charity exist in three forms, each influenced by the doer’s nature.

Concerning food, Krishna explains it also falls into three categories reflecting the Gunas. The ‘Soothfast’ consume healthy, satisfying foods that promote virtue, strength, and joy. The passionate, driven by intense desires, prefer foods that are overly spicy, hot, and lead to discomfort and ill-health. The ignorant indulge in stale, tasteless, and impure food, suitable for those aligned with darkness.

Krishna defines sacrifices (rituals) in a threefold way as well. A sacrificial act performed dutifully, without anticipation of reward and with a devout heart, aligns with Sattva (truth and goodness). Actions executed for the sake of personal gain or reputation fall into Rajas (passion), tainted by selfish motives. Lastly, sacrifices performed disrespectfully, without adherence to scriptural mandates, not accompanied by appropriate offerings or hymns, are categorized under Tamas (darkness), considered the most degraded form of worship.

Through these explanations, Krishna guides Arjuna (and the readers) on understanding the interconnectedness of an individual’s nature with their faith, dietary habits, and sacrificial practices, outlining the paths that lead towards divine or demonic destinies based on one’s inherent qualities and actions.