Bhagavad Gita 16.17 · Krishna
Worship for show
आत्मसम्भाविताः स्तब्धा धनमानमदान्विताः।
यजन्ते नामयज्ञैस्ते दम्भेनाविधिपूर्वकम्॥
ātmasambhāvitāḥ stabdhā dhanamānamadānvitāḥyajante nāmayajñaiste dambhenāvidhipūrvakam
Self-admiring, stubborn, drunk on wealth and pride, they offer yajna in name only, for show, ignoring the true way.
Words
- yajña
What it means
Krishna describes religion used as a stage. Conceited, stubborn, intoxicated by money and status, these people perform yajna, sacred offerings, only for the name. They want to look holy. It's not about devotion. It's about being seen. Sincere practice is the opposite.
The story
Duryodhana held grand rituals to impress the kingdom. Krishna sees past the gold and incense to the emptiness underneath.
In your life
Think of someone who posts every good deed and every workout online. Do one good thing this week that no one will ever see.
Sincere practice needs no audience.