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 ||
Quienes se tienen por superiores y permanecen rígidos en su orgullo—embriagados por la riqueza y el honor social—realizan sacrificios sólo de nombre. Impulsados por la hipocresía, rinden culto y ofrecen ritos sin seguir el verdadero método de las escrituras, usando la religión como ostentación y no como senda disciplinada del 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.