Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 Verse 13 (17.13)
Reflective Prompt:
Which form of personal discipline (Tapas) do you find most challenging to maintain?
- ▪ Option 1: Discipline of the Body: Cleanliness, simple living, and harmlessness.
- ▪ Option 2: Discipline of Speech: Speaking truthfully, pleasantly, and avoiding offensive words.
- ▪ Option 3: Discipline of the Mind: Serenity, self-control, silence, and gentle thoughts.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 Verse 13 (17.13)
विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम् । | श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते | | १७-१३ | |
vidhihīnamasṛiṣhṭānnaṁ mantrahīnamadakṣhiṇam shhraddhāvirahitaṁ yajñaṁ tāmasaṁ parichakṣhate
Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
- विधिहीनम्
(vidhi-hinam)— विधि रहित(without scriptural rules) -
ajoined in vidhihīnamasṛiṣhṭānnaṁ - श्री
(shri)— श्री(honorific) -
sjoined in vidhihīnamasṛiṣhṭānnaṁ - तत्
(tad)— वह(that) - न
(na)— नहीं(not) -
mjoined in vidhihīnamasṛiṣhṭānnaṁ - मन्त्रहीनम्
(mantra-hinam)— मंत्र रहित(without sacred prayers) - अदक्षिणम्
(adakshinam)— दक्षिणा रहित(without offering gifts/appreciation)
Line 2:
-
shraddavirajoined in shhraddhāvirahitaṁ - हि
(hi)— निश्चित ही(indeed) -
tamjoined in shhraddhāvirahitaṁ - यज्ञम्
(yajnam)— यज्ञ(worship) - तामसम्
(tamasam)— तामसिक(ignorant) - परिचक्षते
(parichakshate)— कहते हैं(they declare)
English: Sacrifice that is contrary to scripture-based command, that is unaccompanied by prayers or gifts of food or money, and is without faith - that is the product of lack of understanding.
Learnings from Shloka 13:
- Tamasik Sacrifice:: Performing rituals mechanically, without faith, chants, or respect, is empty and fruitless.
- Integrity in Action:: Always bring sincerity and order to what you do; chaotic actions lead to confusion.
Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz
Practice this shloka vocabularyMatch Sanskrit words from shloka 17.13 with their Hindi and English meanings.
Practice vocabulary
Sacrifice performed without scriptural rules, without distribution of food, without sacred chants, without gifts, and devoid of faith is Tamasik.