Verse 16.17
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
आत्मसम्भाविताः स्तब्धा धनमानमदान्विताः | यजन्ते नामयज्ञैस्ते दम्भेनाविधिपूर्वकम् ||१७||
Transliteration (IAST)
ātma-sambhāvitāḥ stabdhā dhana-māna-madānvitāḥ | yajante nāma-yajñais te dambhenāvidhi-pūrvakam ||17||
Word-by-Word Meanings
Translation
Self-conceited, obstinate, intoxicated by wealth and pride, they perform sacrifices in name only, with hypocrisy and without following proper scriptural injunctions.
Commentary
Shankaracharya explains that nāma-yajña means sacrifice that has only the name without the substance - performed for show rather than spiritual benefit. Ramanuja notes that avidhi-pūrvakam (without proper procedure) indicates their disregard for śāstra, making their rituals spiritually void. Madhva emphasizes that true sacrifice requires humility and devotion, both of which the demoniac lack.