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Bhagavad Gita 17.13

Chapter 17, Verse 13

Part of 17: Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yogश्रद्धात्रयविभागयोग

विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम्।श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते॥

Transliteration

vidhi-hīnam asṛiṣhṭānnaṁ mantra-hīnam adakṣhiṇam śhraddhā-virahitaṁ yajñaṁ tāmasaṁ parichakṣhate

Meaning

They declare that sacrifice to be Tamasic which is contrary to the ordinances of the scriptures, in which no food is distributed, and which is devoid of mantras, gifts, and faith.

Word-by-word meaning
vidhi-hīnamwithout scriptural directionasṛiṣhṭa-annamwithout distribution of prasādammantra-hīnamwith no chanting of the Vedic hymnsadakṣhiṇamwith no remunerations to the priestsśhraddhāfaithvirahitamwithoutyajñamsacrificetāmasamin the mode of ignoranceparichakṣhateis to be considered
Commentary

A sacrifice performed by a Tamasic man is never guided by any consideration for the prescribed rites or incantation. You will find every irregularity in this sacrifice. No food is distributed. No fees which are prescribed in the scriptures are given to the priests. The Mantras are not changed properly. The hymns recited are defective in utterance and accent. Sometimes there is no recitation at all. There is no faith. A man who performs such a sacrifice does not get any merit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 13?
They declare that sacrifice to be Tamasic which is contrary to the ordinances of the scriptures, in which no food is distributed, and which is devoid of mantras, gifts, and faith.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 13 of Chapter 17 (Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yog — Yoga through Discerning the Three Divisions of Faith) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.