Word meanings
- abhisandhāya
- motivated by
- tu
- but
- phalam
- the result
- dambha
- pride
- artham
- for the sake of
- api
- also
- ca
- and
- eva
- certainly
- yat
- that which
- ijyate
- is performed
- bharata-śreṣṭha
- Arjun, the best of the Bharatas
- tam
- that
- yajñam
- sacrifice
- viddhi
- know
- rājasam
- in the mode of passion
Translations
The sacrifice that is offered, O Arjuna, seeking a reward and for show, know that to be a Rajasic Yajna.
Sacrifice which is performed for the sake of its results, or for self-glorification - that, O best of Aryans, is the product of passion.
But that sacrifice which is performed with an aim for a result, as well as for show—know that sacrifice to be done through rajas, O greatest among the descendants of Bharata.
परन्तु हे भरतश्रेष्ठ अर्जुन ! जो यज्ञ फलकी इच्छाको लेकर अथवा दम्भ-(दिखावटीपन-) के लिये भी किया जाता है, उसको तुम राजस समझो।Commentary
If anyone performs a sacrifice in order to obtain, heaven, son, wealth, or name and fame, then it is a sacrifice of a Rajasic nature. The performer of this kind of sacrifice has the motive of increasing his own importance, for popularising his own name in the world, for gaining some reward, for showing himself off as a great, pious and learned man, for making an exhibition of his riches for his own glorificaion. He has no aspiration for attaining the knowledge of the Self.