—json {

  "name":"Bg. 17.12",
  "h1":"Bg. 17.12",
  "label":"Text 12",
  "title":"Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 17.12",
  "description":"But that sacrifice performed for some material end or benefit or performed ostentatiously, out of pride, is of the nature of passion, O chief of the Bhāratas."

} —

Bg. 17.12

अभिसन्धाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत् ।
इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम् ॥१२॥

Text

abhisandhāya tu phalaṁ
dambhārtham api caiva yat
ijyate bharata-śreṣṭha
taṁ yajñaṁ viddhi rājasam

Synonyms

abhisandhāya—desiring; tu—but; phalam—the result; dambha—pride; artham—material benefits; api—also; ca—and; eva—certainly; yat—that which; ijyate—worship; bharata-śreṣṭha—O chief of the Bhāratas; tam—that; yajñam—sacrifice; viddhi—know; rājasam—in the mode of passion.

Translation

But that sacrifice performed for some material end or benefit or performed ostentatiously, out of pride, is of the nature of passion, O chief of the Bhāratas.

Purport

Sometimes sacrifices and rituals are performed for elevation to the heavenly kingdom or for some material benefits in this world. Such sacrifices or ritualistic performances are considered to be in the mode of passion.