Chapter 17, Verse 18
Sraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
sat-kāra—respect; māna—honor; pūjā—adoration; artham—for the sake of; tapaḥ—austerity; dambhena—with ostentation; cha—also; eva—certainly; yat—which; kriyate—is performed; tat—that; iha—in this world; proktam—is said; rājasam—in the mode of passion; chalam—flickering; adhruvam—temporary
English translation
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.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 17.18
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.
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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