Step 4 of 7 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

  1. 1Tap a chapter, then a verse
  2. 2Read what it means
  3. 3Try the practice
700 verses37 detailed
Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith · 28 verses

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

Nature & guṇasChapter 17 · The Divisions of Faith
17.1217.14

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 17.13

Food and sacrifice in the modes

विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्‍त्रहीनमदक्षिणम् ।

श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते ॥ १३ ॥

vidhi-hīnam asṛṣṭānnaṁ

mantra-hīnam adakṣiṇam

śraddhā-virahitaṁ yajñaṁ

tāmasaṁ paricakṣate

Translation

Any sacrifice performed without regard for the directions of scripture, without distribution of prasādam [spiritual food], without chanting of Vedic hymns and remunerations to the priests, and without faith is considered to be in the mode of ignorance.

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 Ignorance

  1. 1Sacrifice without following scripture, sharing prasādam (spiritual food), chanting Vedic hymns, paying priests, and having faith is in the mode of ignorance.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that faith in ignorance is really faithlessness. Religious shows meant to gain money for recreation produce a demoniac mentality and do not benefit society.
  3. 3Follow scripture and worship with faith, rather than using worship to make money for recreation.

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 17.13 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.

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 17.13 — 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.