Srimad Bhagavad-Gita Chapter-17. { Sraddha-traya-vibhaga-yogam }. Slokam-12.

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Friday, November 19, 2021. 9:00 PM.

Srimad Bhagavad-Gita

Chapter-17. { Sraddha-traya-vibhaga-yogam }

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Slokam-12. 

abhisandhaya  tu  phalam  dambhartham  api  caiva  yat,

ijyate  bharata-sreshta  tam  yajnam  viddhi rajasam.

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Translation :    

bharata-sreshta!  =  Arjuna!

phalam  abhisandhaya  tu   =  with  the  aim  of / fruits  of / gains  of / results  of  action,   having  desire;

dambhartham  api  ca  eva  =  to  show  /  demontrate /  selfish  pride  and  material  prosperity  and  wealth;

yat  ijyate  tam  yajnam  =  performing  yajnam;

rajasam  viddhi  =  know  as  rajasic  sraddha.  

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Slokam explained in a line :

But that sacrifice performed for some material end or benefit or performed ostentatiously, out of pride, is of the nature of passion, O Arjuna!. 

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Commentary :

That yagna or propitiation and worship which externally may be performed according to the Vedic scriptures but internally is plagued with desires to acquire the fruits of its rewards and is ostentatiously enacted out of pride and gregariously carried out for prestige is irascibly performed in the mode of passion.

The yagna or acts of propitiation and worship which may be performed according to Vedic scriptures but is enacted ostentatiously for aggrandizement and pompously for prestige with the covert, underlying desire for rewards is revealed by Lord Krishna as merely situated in raja guna the mode of passion.

That yagna or acts of propitiation and worship which may follow the Vedic scriptures but is ostentatiously enacted out of desire for prestige with a secret, greedy longing for enjoying the effects of rewards is known to be situated in raja guna the mode of passion.

Sometimes sacrifices and rituals are performed for elevation to the heavenly kingdom or for some material benefits in this world. Such sacrifices or ritualistic performances are considered to be in the mode of passion.

Sacrifice becomes a form of business with God if it is performed with great pomp and show, but the spirit behind it is one of selfishness i.e., “What will I get in return?” Pure devotion is that where one seeks nothing in return. Shree Krishna says that sacrifice may be done with great ceremony, but if it is for the sake of rewards in the form of prestige, aggrandizement, etc. it is rājasic in nature.

To be continued  ...

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