Mantra.Tips
Bhagavad Gita 17.18

Chapter 17, Verse 18

Part of 17: Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yogश्रद्धात्रयविभागयोग

सत्कारमानपूजार्थं तपो दम्भेन चैव यत्।क्रियते तदिह प्रोक्तं राजसं चलमध्रुवम्॥

Transliteration

satkāra-māna-pūjārthaṁ tapo dambhena chaiva yat kriyate tad iha proktaṁ rājasaṁ chalam adhruvam

Meaning

The austerity that is practiced with the aim of gaining good reception, honor, and worship, and with hypocrisy, is said to be Rajasic, unstable, and transient.

Word-by-word meaning
sat-kārarespectmānahonorpūjāadorationarthamfor the sake oftapaḥausteritydambhenawith ostentationchaalsoevacertainlyyatwhichkriyateis performedtatthatihain this worldproktamis saidrājasamin the mode of passionchalamflickeringadhruvamtemporary
Commentary

Penance that is performed with no sincere belief, for mere show, with a view to increase selfimportance, in order that the world may pay respect to the performer and place him in the seat of honour, and that everyone may sing his praise, is declared to be of a passionate nature. Iha In this world Such penance yields fruit only in this world. Satkara Good reception with such words as? Here is a good Brahmana of great austerities. Mana Honour Rising from ones seat to greet, and saluting with reverence. Chalam Unstable Yielding momentary effect or result. Adhruvam Without Niyama or fixity. Penance that is performed in the hope of gaining fame is worse than useless. It bears no fruit. It is abandoned though incomplete, when it is seen that is can result in no gain.

Share this verse
Share:
Download verse card

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 18?
The austerity that is practiced with the aim of gaining good reception, honor, and worship, and with hypocrisy, is said to be Rajasic, unstable, and transient.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 18 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.