Chapter 17, Verse 12
Sraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
abhisandhāya—motivated by; tu—but; phalam—the result; dambha—pride; artham—for the sake of; api—also; cha—and; eva—certainly; yat—that which; ijyate—is performed; bharata-śhreṣhṭha—Arjun, the best of the Bharatas; tam—that; yajñam—sacrifice; viddhi—know; rājasam—in the mode of passion
English translation
The sacrifice that is offered, O Arjuna, seeking a reward and for show, know that to be a Rajasic Yajna.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 17.12
Commentary
If anyone performs a sacrifice in order to obtain; heaven; son; wealth; or name and fame; then it is a sacrifice of a Rajasic nature. The performer of this kind of sacrifice has the motive of increasing his own importance; for popularising his own name in the world; for gaining some reward; for showing himself off as a great; pious and learned man; for making an exhibition of his riches for his own glorificaion. He has no aspiration for attaining the knowledge of the Self.
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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