Bhagavad Gita · Verse 17.13
Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga (श्रद्धात्रयविभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम् । श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते ॥१३॥
vidhihīnamasṛṣṭānnaṃ mantrahīnamadakṣiṇam | śraddhāvirahitaṃ yajñaṃ tāmasaṃ paricakṣate ||13||
Complete Shloka Translation
A sacrifice without proper guidance, distribution of food, mantras, offering to the officiants or faith is called tamasic.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| मन्त्र | mantra | sacred utterance |
| दक्षिणा | dakṣiṇā | offering to ritual officiants |
| विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं | vidhihīnamasṛṣṭānnaṃ | [term] in context of A sacrifice without proper gui... |
| मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम् | mantrahīnamadakṣiṇam | [term] in context of A sacrifice without proper gui... |
| श्रद्धाविरहितं | śraddhāvirahitaṃ | [term] in context of A sacrifice without proper gui... |
| यज्ञं | yajñaṃ | [term] in context of A sacrifice without proper gui... |
| तामसं | tāmasaṃ | [term] in context of A sacrifice without proper gui... |
| परिचक्षते | paricakṣate | [term] in context of A sacrifice without proper gui... |
| १३ | paricakṣate | [term] in context of A sacrifice without proper gui... |
sacred utterance
offering to ritual officiants
[term] in context of A sacrifice without proper gui...
[term] in context of A sacrifice without proper gui...
[term] in context of A sacrifice without proper gui...
[term] in context of A sacrifice without proper gui...
[term] in context of A sacrifice without proper gui...
[term] in context of A sacrifice without proper gui...
[term] in context of A sacrifice without proper gui...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The traditional ritual requirements include faith and provision for participants. The warning concerns careless practice emptied of its sustaining commitments.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Does your practice include sincerity and care for those involved?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Does your practice include sincerity and care for those involved?
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.