Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 13

English Translation

They declare that sacrifice as 'done through tamas' which is contrary to injunction, in which food is not distributed, in which mantras are not used, in which offerings are not made to priests, and which is devoid of faith.

Detailed Commentary

।।17.13।। Explanation: *Vidhiheenam* – Every *Yajna* has its specific procedures, such as the direction for sitting, the materials to be used, and so forth. However, in a *Tamasic Yajna*, these procedures are not followed. *Asrushtānnam* – *Tamasic* individuals do not offer food (*annadana*) to Brahmins during the *Yajna*. They believe that receiving things for free will make people lazy. *Mantraheenam* – In a *Tamasic Yajna*, the mantras prescribed in the Vedas are not used. They believe that merely offering oblations (*ahuti*) completes the *Yajna*. *Adakshinam* – In a *Tamasic Yajna*, gifts (*dakshina*) are not given. They believe that after offering oblations and food, *dakshina* is unnecessary. There is a complete lack of *shraddha* (faith/devotion) in a *Tamasic Yajna*. They consider it foolish to offer grains, ghee, etc., into the fire. They perform *Yajna* for the sake of fame, without adhering to scriptural injunctions (*Shastra vidhis*). Actions performed in such a *Yajna*, without scriptural injunctions (*Shastra vidhi*) and with a lack of *shraddha*, do not yield the desired results. Their desires are not fulfilled, because due to a lack of *shraddha*, they reap the fruit of degradation (*adhogati*). If the performer of the *Yajna*, the knowledge, the actions, etc., are *Sattvic*, then the *Yajna* will be *Sattvic*. If they are *Rajasic*, it will be *Rajasic*. And if they are *Tamasic*, it will be *Tamasic*. Connection: After describing *Sattvic*, *Rajasic*, and *Tamasic Yajna* respectively in the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth verses, the subsequent three verses describe physical, verbal, and mental austerities (*tapas*).