In Bhagavad Gita 16.17, Krishna says the self-conceited, stubborn, intoxicated by wealth and pride, perform sacrifices in name only, with hypocrisy, contrary to scriptural rules.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
आत्मसम्भाविताः स्तब्धा
धनमानमदान्विताः
यजन्ते नामयज्ञैस्ते
दम्भेनाविधिपूर्वकम् ॥ १६-१७ ॥
ātmasambhāvitāḥ stabdhā
dhanamānamadānvitāḥ
yajante nāmayajñaiste
dambhenāvidhipūrvakam
English transliteration aatmasambhaavitaah stabdhaa
dhanamaanamadaanvitaah
yajante naamayajnaiste
dambhenaavidhipoorvakam ॥ 16.17 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Self-conceited, stubborn, full of the pride and intoxication of wealth, they perform sacrifices in name only, with hypocrisy, disregarding the prescribed rules.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| आत्मसम्भाविताः ātmasambhāvitāḥ | self-conceited ātma (self) + sambhāvitāḥ (esteemed) |
| स्तब्धाः stabdhāḥ | stubborn |
| धनमानमदान्विताः dhanamānamadānvitāḥ | full of the pride and intoxication of wealth dhana (wealth) + māna (pride) + mada (intoxication) + anvitāḥ (full) |
| यजन्ते yajante | perform sacrifices |
| नामयज्ञैः nāmayajñaiḥ | in name only nāma (name) + yajñaiḥ (sacrifices) |
| ते te | they |
| दम्भेन dambhena | with hypocrisy |
| अविधिपूर्वकम् avidhipūrvakam | disregarding the rules a (not) + vidhi (rules) + pūrvakam (according to) |
Word-wise Chanting
- āt–ma–sam–bhā–vi–tāḥ stab–dhā 8 syllables aat-ma-sam-bhaa-vi-taah stab-dhaa
- dha–na–mā–na–ma–dān–vi–tāḥ | 8 syllables dha-na-maa-na-ma-daan-vi-taah
- ya–jan–te nā–ma–ya–jñais–te 8 syllables ya-jan-te naa-ma-ya-jnais-te
- dam–bhe–nā–vi–dhi–pūr–va–kam || 16-17 8 syllables dam-bhe-naa-vi-dhi-poor-va-kam
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 16 Verse 17
Context
Krishna continues describing the consequences (16.16–16.20).
Meaning
Puffed up with self-importance, they are stabdha, rigid and unbending. Proud of their wealth, they perform worship nāma-yajña, in name only, for display and without following proper method or spirit.
Religion practised for show is empty. Genuine worship requires humility and sincerity.
In Practice
In your next act of worship, focus entirely on sincerity rather than appearance.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga (Divine and Undivine Qualities). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.