Shloka 17
Nirmaryāda-saṃgrāma-varṇana — The Unbounded Clash and Bhīṣma’s Rallying Presence
१५-१६ ।। आत्मसम्भाविता: स्तब्धारें धनमानमदान्विता: । यजन्ते नामयज्ञैस्ते दम्भेनाविधिपूर्वकम्,वे अपने-आपको ही श्रेष्ठ माननेवाले घमण्डी पुरुष धन और मानके मदसे युक्त होकर केवल नाममात्रके यज्ञोंद्वारा पाखण्डसे शास्त्रविधिरहित यजन करते हैं
ātma-sambhāvitāḥ stabdhā dhana-māna-madānvitāḥ | yajante nāma-yajñais te dambhenāvidhi-pūrvakam ||
Die Selbstgefälligen, die in starrem Stolz verharren—berauscht von Reichtum und gesellschaftlicher Ehre—vollziehen Opfer nur dem Namen nach. Von Heuchelei getrieben, verehren und verrichten sie Riten ohne der wahren, schriftgemäßen Methode zu folgen; sie machen Religion zur Schau, nicht zum disziplinierten Pfad des Dharma.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse criticizes performative religiosity: when worship is driven by ego, pride in wealth and status, and the desire to impress, it becomes a ‘sacrifice in name only’ and loses its dharmic value. True yajña requires humility, sincerity, and adherence to right method and intention.
In the Bhīṣma Parva context (Bhagavad Gītā setting), Arjuna is engaging with teachings that distinguish genuine spiritual practice from ego-driven conduct. This line describes a type of person who uses ritual as a façade—highlighting a moral contrast relevant to Arjuna’s struggle about right action and inner integrity.