Word meanings
- vidhi-hīnam
- without scriptural direction
- asṛṣṭa-annam
- without distribution of prasādam
- mantra-hīnam
- with no chanting of the Vedic hymns
- adakṣiṇam
- with no remunerations to the priests
- śraddhā
- faith
- virahitam
- without
- yajñam
- sacrifice
- tāmasam
- in the mode of ignorance
- paricakṣate
- is to be considered
Translations
They declare that sacrifice to be Tamasic which is contrary to the ordinances of the scriptures, in which no food is distributed, and which is devoid of mantras, gifts, and faith.
Sacrifice that is contrary to scriptural command, that is unaccompanied by prayers or gifts of food or money, and is without faith—that is the product of ignorance.
They declare that sacrifice as 'done through tamas' which is contrary to injunction, in which no food is distributed, in which no mantras are used, in which no offerings are made to priests, and which is devoid of faith.
शास्त्रविधिसे हीन, अन्न-दानसे रहित, बिना मन्त्रोंके, बिना दक्षिणाके और बिना श्रद्धाके किये जानेवाले यज्ञको तामस यज्ञ कहते हैं।Commentary
A sacrifice performed by a Tamasic man is never guided by any consideration for the prescribed rites or incantation. You will find every irregularity in this sacrifice. No food is distributed. No fees which are prescribed in the scriptures are given to the priests. The Mantras are not changed properly. The hymns recited are defective in utterance and accent. Sometimes there is no recitation at all. There is no faith. A man who performs such a sacrifice does not get any merit.