Bhagavad Gita 16.17 (BG 16.17) | Daivāsura-sampad-vibhāga-yoga: Divine and Demonic Characteristics
आत्मसम्भाविता: स्तब्धा धनमानमदान्विता: ।
यजन्ते नामयज्ञैस्ते दम्भेनाविधिपूर्वकम् ॥
English Transliteration
ātma-sambhāvitā: stabdhā
dhana-māna-madānvitā:
yajante nāma-yajñais-te
dambhenāvidhi-pūrvakam – 16.17
Translation
With vain glory and conceit, blinded by wealth and self-proclaimed respect, they ostensibly perform sacrifices only to show off, disregarding all rules and procedures.
BG 16.17: Chanting Audio
Chapter 16: Daivāsura-sampad-vibhāga-yoga: – Divine and Demonic Characteristics - Verse 17
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
BG 16.17: Commentary by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
Pride blinds the demonic nature beyond limits. Haughtiness, insatiable greed and unyielding infatuation become most pronounced in all they do. Money blinds their vision in every way. They think, speak and act without proportion or modesty.
Vicious self-respect makes their ostentatious display repulsive. They take to the performance of religious sacrifices as well, aspiring to gain some respectable status, but in doing so, their ignorance and delusion grow stronger. They disregard the rules and procedures for the ceremonies and rituals.
So, all that they do reduces into a mere mockery, incurring the dislike and disapproval of the good and the noble in the society.
Thus in the secular and religious fronts alike, their conduct becomes equally detestable and harmful.
