Bhagavad Gita · Verse 17.5
Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga (श्रद्धात्रयविभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः । दम्भाहङ्कारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः ॥५॥
aśāstravihitaṃ ghoraṃ tapyante ye tapo janāḥ | dambhāhaṅkārasaṃyuktāḥ kāmarāgabalānvitāḥ ||5||
Complete Shloka Translation
Those who practice terrible austerities not prescribed by scripture, joined with hypocrisy and ego and driven by desire and attachment—
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तपस् | tapas | austerity |
| दम्भ | dambha | hypocrisy |
| अशास्त्रविहितं | aśāstravihitaṃ | [term] in context of Those who practice terrible au... |
| घोरं | ghoraṃ | [term] in context of Those who practice terrible au... |
| तप्यन्ते | tapyante | [term] in context of Those who practice terrible au... |
| ये | ye | [term] in context of Those who practice terrible au... |
| तपो | tapo | [term] in context of Those who practice terrible au... |
| जनाः | janāḥ | [term] in context of Those who practice terrible au... |
| दम्भाहङ्कारसंयुक्ताः | dambhāhaṅkārasaṃyuktāḥ | [term] in context of Those who practice terrible au... |
| कामरागबलान्विताः | kāmarāgabalānvitāḥ | [term] in context of Those who practice terrible au... |
austerity
hypocrisy
[term] in context of Those who practice terrible au...
[term] in context of Those who practice terrible au...
[term] in context of Those who practice terrible au...
[term] in context of Those who practice terrible au...
[term] in context of Those who practice terrible au...
[term] in context of Those who practice terrible au...
[term] in context of Those who practice terrible au...
[term] in context of Those who practice terrible au...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The sentence continues in 17.6. Krishna criticizes harsh austerity driven by vanity, rather than praising suffering as spiritual achievement.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Does your discipline serve clarity or the display of superiority?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Does your discipline serve clarity or the display of superiority?
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.