Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga - The Yoga of the Division of Threefold FaithKrishna
Verse 13
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 17, श्लोक 13
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम्।
श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते॥
Transliteration
Vidhi-hinam-asrishta-annam mantra-hinam-adakshinam
Shraddha-virahitam yajnam tamasam parichakshate
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
विधिहीनम्vidhi-hinamwithout proper rules
असृष्टान्नम्asrishta-annamwithout distribution of food
मन्त्रहीनम्mantra-hinamwithout proper mantras
अदक्षिणम्adakshinamwithout proper remuneration
श्रद्धाविरहितम्shraddha-virahitamdevoid of faith
यज्ञम्yajnamsacrifice
तामसम्tamasamtamasic
परिचक्षतेparichakshateis called
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
जो यज्ञ विधि-रहित, अन्न-वितरण से हीन, मन्त्रहीन, दक्षिणारहित और श्रद्धाविहीन होता है — उसे तामसिक कहते हैं।
English Translation
That sacrifice which is performed without proper rules, without distribution of food, without mantras, without proper remuneration, and devoid of faith — is called tamasic.
Commentary (टीका)
Tamasic sacrifice lacks every essential element: proper procedure, sharing of offerings, sacred chanting, compensation for priests, and most importantly, faith. Without these components, the ritual is an empty shell. This verse highlights that mindless ritual without devotion has no spiritual value.