Discipline for applause

satkāramānapūjārthaṃ tapo dambhena caiva yatkriyate tadiha proktaṃ rājasaṃ calamadhruvam

Discipline done for show, to win respect, honour and praise, is called restless. It is unstable and does not last.

What it means

Krishna describes rajasic tapas. Discipline done for respect, honour and praise. Fasting to be admired. Training to be envied. He says such discipline is chalam adhruvam, shaky and short-lived. When the applause stops, the discipline usually stops too.

The story

Arjuna has seen warriors train hard only when the king was watching. Krishna notes how quickly that effort fades.

In your life

Maybe you know someone who went to the gym every day while posting about it, then quit when the likes dried up. Keep one healthy habit this month without telling anyone.