Bhagavad Gita · Verse 17.18
Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga (श्रद्धात्रयविभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
सत्कारमानपूजार्थं तपो दम्भेन चैव यत् । क्रियते तदिह प्रोक्तं राजसं चलमध्रुवम् ॥१८॥
satkāramānapūjārthaṃ tapo dambhena caiva yat | kriyate tadiha proktaṃ rājasaṃ calamadhruvam ||18||
Complete Shloka Translation
Austerity practiced for honor, recognition and reverence, or hypocritically for display, is called rajasic here; it is unstable and impermanent.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| मान | māna | pride |
| अध्रुव | adhruva | impermanent |
| सत्कारमानपूजार्थं | satkāramānapūjārthaṃ | [term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,... |
| तपो | tapo | [term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,... |
| दम्भेन | dambhena | [term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,... |
| चैव | caiva | [term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,... |
| यत् | yat | [term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,... |
| क्रियते | kriyate | [term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,... |
| तदिह | tadiha | [term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,... |
| प्रोक्तं | proktaṃ | [term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,... |
| राजसं | rājasaṃ | [term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,... |
| चलमध्रुवम् | calamadhruvam | [term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,... |
| १८ | calamadhruvam | [term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,... |
pride
impermanent
[term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced for honor,...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Approval-driven discipline depends on changing recognition. Its instability contrasts with the steady faith of sattvic practice.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"How much does your discipline depend on an audience?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How much does your discipline depend on an audience?
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.