Chapter 17: The Divisions of Faith

Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Bhagavad-gita As It Is 17.13

vidhi-hinam asrishtannam

mantra-hinam adakshinam

sraddha-virahitam yajnam

tamasam paricakshate

SYNONYMS

vidhi-hinam -- without scriptural direction; asrishta-annam -- without distribution of prasadam; mantra-hinam -- with no chanting of the Vedic hymns; adakshinam -- with no remunerations to the priests; sraddha -- faith; virahitam -- without; yajnam -- sacrifice; tamasam -- in the mode of ignorance; paricakshate -- is to be considered.

TRANSLATION

Any sacrifice performed without regard for the directions of scripture, without distribution of prasadam [spiritual food], without chanting of Vedic hymns and remunerations to the priests, and without faith is considered to be in the mode of ignorance.

PURPORT

Faith in the mode of darkness or ignorance is actually faithlessness. Sometimes people worship some demigod just to make money and then spend the money for recreation, ignoring the scriptural injunctions. Such ceremonial shows of religiosity are not accepted as genuine. They are all in the mode of darkness; they produce a demoniac mentality and do not benefit human society.

<<< >>>

Buy Online Copyright (c) The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness