Bhagavad Gita · Verse 17.12
Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga (श्रद्धात्रयविभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अभिसन्धाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत् । इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम् ॥१२॥
abhisandhāya tu phalaṃ dambhārthamapi caiva yat | ijyate bharataśreṣṭha taṃ yajñaṃ viddhi rājasam ||12||
Complete Shloka Translation
But a sacrifice performed with a reward in view or for display, O best of the Bharatas, know to be rajasic.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| दम्भ | dambha | hypocrisy |
| यज्ञ | yajña | sacrifice or sacred offering |
| अभिसन्धाय | abhisandhāya | [term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with... |
| तु | tu | [term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with... |
| फलं | phalaṃ | [term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with... |
| दम्भार्थमपि | dambhārthamapi | [term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with... |
| चैव | caiva | [term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with... |
| यत् | yat | [term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with... |
| इज्यते | ijyate | [term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with... |
| भरतश्रेष्ठ | bharataśreṣṭha | [term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with... |
| तं | taṃ | [term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with... |
| यज्ञं | yajñaṃ | [term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with... |
| विद्धि | viddhi | [term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with... |
| राजसम् | rājasam | [term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with... |
| १२ | rājasam | [term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with... |
hypocrisy
sacrifice or sacred offering
[term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with...
[term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with...
[term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with...
[term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with...
[term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with...
[term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with...
[term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with...
[term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with...
[term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with...
[term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with...
[term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with...
[term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with...
[term] in context of But a sacrifice performed with...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The same outward ritual changes character through its motive. Reward-seeking and display shift attention toward personal advantage.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Would you still make the offering if nobody praised it?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Would you still make the offering if nobody praised it?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master daily focus: anchor your consciousness in higher values, let go of anxious attachment to results, and act with integrity and kindness in every endeavor.