1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith · 28 verses

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Nature & guṇasChapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith
17.1217.14

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 17.13

Food and sacrifice in the modes

Prakṛti · Material nature

विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्‍त्रहीनमदक्षिणम् ।

श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते ॥ १३ ॥

vidhi-hīnam asṛṣṭānnaṁ

mantra-hīnam adakṣiṇam

śraddhā-virahitaṁ yajñaṁ

tāmasaṁ paricakṣate

Translation

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

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Sacrifice in Ignorance

  1. 1

    Sacrifice without following scripture, sharing prasādam (spiritual food), chanting Vedic hymns, paying priests, and having faith is in the mode of ignorance.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that faith in ignorance is really faithlessness. Religious shows meant to gain money for recreation produce a demoniac mentality and do not benefit society.

  3. 3

    Follow scripture and worship with faith, rather than using worship to make money for recreation.

Key points from the purport

Sacrifice in the mode of ignorance

Without scriptural directions

Without distribution of prasadam

Without chanting of Vedic Hymns and remuneration to the priests

Without faith

Faith in ignorance is faithlessness

e.g. Worshiping demigods to make some money and spend for recreation

Ignoring scriptures

Ceremonial show of religiosity

These produce demoniac mentality

Further reading

Sacrifices In The Modes

Sacrifices can also be performed in the modes –

Dutifully in goodness

Fruitively in passion

Unfaithfully in ignorance

Chapter 17, section III: Sacrifices In The Modes
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vidhi-hīnamwithout scriptural direction
  2. asṛṣṭa-annamwithout distribution of prasādam
  3. mantra-hīnamwith no chanting of the Vedic hymns
  4. adakṣiṇamwith no remunerations to the priests
  5. śraddhāfaith
  6. virahitamwithout
  7. yajñamsacrifice
  8. tāmasamin the mode of ignorance
  9. paricakṣateis to be considered
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 17.13 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 17 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 17.8Food and sacrifice in the modesBG 17.9Food and sacrifice in the modesBG 7.14Crossing beyond māyā
Live this todayThe Austerity of SpeechA practice from BG 17.15, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction