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Chapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith · 28 verses

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Nature & guṇasChapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith
17.1117.13

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 17.12

Food and sacrifice in the modes

अभिसन्धाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत् ।

इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम् ॥ १२ ॥

abhisandhāya tu phalaṁ

dambhārtham api caiva yat

ijyate bharata-śreṣṭha

taṁ yajñaṁ viddhi rājasam

Translation

But the sacrifice performed for some material benefit, or for the sake of pride, O chief of the Bhāratas, you should know to be in the mode of passion.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Sacrifice in the Mode of Passion

  1. 1Sacrifice done for material benefit or out of pride is in the mode of passion.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that this includes rituals done to reach heaven or gain material benefits in this world.
  3. 3Examine whether your reason for performing sacrifice is material gain or pride.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 17, The Divisions of Faith: food and sacrifice in the modes.

What it teaches

Theme summary

The modes of nature condition behavior.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 17.12 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

4

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 17 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 17.8Food and sacrifice in the modesBG 17.9Food and sacrifice in the modesBG 7.14Crossing beyond māyā

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 17.12 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.