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 ||
Those who are self-conceited and rigid with pride—intoxicated by wealth and social honor—perform sacrifices only in name. Driven by hypocrisy, they worship and offer rites without following the true scriptural method, using religion as a display rather than as a disciplined path of 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.