Practised with faith by men whose aim is not to obtain some material benefit for themselves, but to satisfy the Supreme (Krishna, God), the threefold union of these austerities proceeds from the Virtue.

As for ostentatious penances, which seek the respect, honour and veneration of men, they are said to belong to Passion. They are only unstable and ephemeral.

Finally, penances and austerities performed out of foolishness, and made of obstinate tortures, or undergone with a view to wounding, to destroying, are said to be the result of ignorance.

Charity dictated by duty, done without expecting anything in return, under just conditions of time and place, and to whomsoever is worthy, this charity is said to be accomplished under the sign of Virtue.

But charity inspired by the hope of reward, or by the desire for material fruit, or done with reluctance, is said to belong to Passion.

Finally, charity that is not done at the proper time and place, or to people who are worthy of it, or that is exercised in a disrespectful and contemptuous manner, is said to belong to Ignorance.

OM tat sat, from the beginning of creation, these three syllables have been used to designate the Supreme and Absolute Truth [Krishna]. For the satisfaction of the Supreme, the Brahmanas (learned sages) have uttered them while chanting the Vedic hymns (of the Vedas, the original holy scriptures) and performing sacrifices.

Thus, spiritualists always begin their sacrifices, austerities and charitable acts by pronouncing Om (the syllable Om, spiritual sound vibration), in order to reach the Absolute (Krishna).

One must perform sacrifices, austerities and charitable acts by pronouncing the word tat, if one wants to know the goal of these spiritual practices, which is to free oneself from the chains of matter.

The Absolute Truth is the goal of devotional practices, and it is designated by the word sat. These practices, sacrifices, austerities and charitable acts, in harmony with the Absolute, the Supreme Person, are to please Him.

But sacrifices, austerities and charitable acts performed without faith in the Supreme are ephemeral, no matter what rituals accompany them. They are called asat (perishable, ephemeral), and they are vain, both in this life and in the next.