Bhagavad Gita 17.13 — Tamasic Sacrifice: Without Rules, Food, Mantras, Gifts, or Faith
विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम् ।
श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते ॥ १७.१३ ॥
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They declare that sacrifice to be tamasic which is performed without regard for scriptural injunctions, in which no food is distributed, without mantras, without gifts to the priests, and devoid of faith.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| vidhi | scriptural injunction; prescribed procedure |
| hīnam | devoid of; without |
| asṛṣhṭa | not distributed |
| annam | food |
| mantra | sacred chants; hymns |
| hīnam | devoid of; without |
| adakṣhiṇam | without gifts to the priests |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| śhraddhā | faith |
| virahitam | devoid of; lacking |
| yajñam | sacrifice |
| tāmasam | tamasic; of the nature of ignorance |
| parichakṣhate | they declare; they call |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| vidhi | scriptural injunction; prescribed procedure | śhraddhā | faith |
| hīnam | devoid of; without | virahitam | devoid of; lacking |
| asṛṣhṭa | not distributed | yajñam | sacrifice |
| annam | food | tāmasam | tamasic; of the nature of ignorance |
| mantra | sacred chants; hymns | parichakṣhate | they declare; they call |
| hīnam | devoid of; without | ||
| adakṣhiṇam | without gifts to the priests | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna completes the classification of yajña by describing tāmasika yajña. It is a sacrifice performed without scriptural guidance, without feeding others, without sacred mantras, without gifts to the priests, and above all without faith.
Essence
The Sacrifice Without Life
After the pure sacrifice of verse 11 and the showy sacrifice of verse 12, Lord Krishna now describes the lowest form. Here a ritual may still be performed outwardly, but nothing meaningful remains within it.
Vidhi-hīnam (without proper method): The act ignores the guidance of the scriptures and is done carelessly or by whim, with no understanding of its purpose.
Asṛṣṭānnam (without distribution of food): In the Vedic ideal, a sacrifice is meant to nourish the community. Here no food is shared, and the generosity at the heart of yajña is missing.
Mantra-hīnam (without mantras) and adakṣiṇam (without offerings to the priests): The sacred sound that gives a ritual its meaning is absent, and those who guide and perform it are not honoured. The act is stripped of reverence and gratitude.
Śraddhā-virahitam (devoid of faith): This is the decisive failing. Lord Krishna places it last because it is the root of all the others. When faith and reverence are gone, every other part of the act collapses.
The verse reveals that tamas is not merely wrongdoing; it is thoughtless, empty action. Doing things mechanically, carelessly, and without respect drains them of any spiritual power.
Message for Everyday Life (Beware of Empty Routine)
Do not let your duties become hollow: Work, prayer, and relationships can all turn into lifeless habits performed without attention or care. Such living leaves us dull and dissatisfied.
Practical approach: Bring presence and respect to what you do. Whatever you undertake, give it your attention, share its benefits with others, and perform it with gratitude. This revives faith and restores meaning to ordinary tasks.
The Sacrifice Without Life
After the pure sacrifice of verse 11 and the showy sacrifice of verse 12, Lord Krishna now describes the lowest form. Here a ritual may still be performed outwardly, but nothing meaningful remains within it.
Vidhi-hīnam (without proper method): The act ignores the guidance of the scriptures and is done carelessly or by whim, with no understanding of its purpose.
Asṛṣṭānnam (without distribution of food): In the Vedic ideal, a sacrifice is meant to nourish the community. Here no food is shared, and the generosity at the heart of yajña is missing.
Mantra-hīnam (without mantras) and adakṣiṇam (without offerings to the priests): The sacred sound that gives a ritual its meaning is absent, and those who guide and perform it are not honoured. The act is stripped of reverence and gratitude.
Śraddhā-virahitam (devoid of faith): This is the decisive failing. Lord Krishna places it last because it is the root of all the others. When faith and reverence are gone, every other part of the act collapses.
The verse reveals that tamas is not merely wrongdoing; it is thoughtless, empty action. Doing things mechanically, carelessly, and without respect drains them of any spiritual power.
Message for Everyday Life (Beware of Empty Routine)
Do not let your duties become hollow: Work, prayer, and relationships can all turn into lifeless habits performed without attention or care. Such living leaves us dull and dissatisfied.
Practical approach: Bring presence and respect to what you do. Whatever you undertake, give it your attention, share its benefits with others, and perform it with gratitude. This revives faith and restores meaning to ordinary tasks.
Next Topic
Having described the three kinds of yajña, Lord Krishna turns to tapas, or austerity. He begins by showing that true austerity is not only physical, and divides it into the discipline of body, speech, and mind, starting with the body.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Without heart, even a perfect ritual is empty.
Carelessness is the quiet cousin of ignorance.
What is not shared is rarely sacred.
Remember why you act before you act.
Presence is the soul of every offering.
Gratitude gives form its life.
Half-hearted effort feeds no one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'vidhihīnam' (devoid of scriptural rules) mean?
What is the meaning of 'asṛṣhṭānnam' (without distribution of food)?
What are 'mantrahīnam' (without sacred chants) and 'adakṣhiṇam' (without gifts to the priests)?
Why is the lack of 'śhraddhā' (faith) the most serious defect?
What is the practical message of this verse in one sentence?
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