Chapter 17, Verse 5 (Bhagavad Gita 17.5)
Chapter 17: Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yog – Yoga through Discerning the Three Divisions of Faith
Sanskrit Shloka
अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः।दम्भाहङ्कारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः
Transliteration
aśhāstra-vihitaṁ ghoraṁ tapyante ye tapo janāḥ dambhāhankāra-sanyuktāḥ kāma-rāga-balānvitāḥ
Word Meanings
aśhāstra-vihitam—not enjoined by the scriptures; ghoram—stern; tapyante—perform; ye—who; tapaḥ—austerities; janāḥ—people; dambha—hypocrisy; ahankāra—egotism; sanyuktāḥ—possessed of; kāma—desire; rāga—attachment; bala—force; anvitāḥ—impelled by;
Translation
Those who perform severe austerities not ordained by the scriptures, being deluded by hypocrisy and egoism, and impelled by the force of desire and attachment.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound verse, Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, warns Arjuna against the dangers of self-imposed, unscriptural penances that originate from a false sense of pride. Bhagwan Shri Krishna reveals that spiritual practice must be grounded in the divine authority of the scriptures, for when the ego drives one’s austerities, it merely strengthens the chains of material bondage rather than severing them. Such misguided practices, fueled by lust and hypocrisy, lead the soul further away from its inherent nature as a servant of the Divine. By clarifying this, Yogeshwar Krishna guides every sincere seeker to transcend the trap of vanity and align their heart with the true, humble path of devotion. Ultimately, liberation is not attained through harsh physical trials performed for personal recognition, but through the surrender of the ego to the lotus feet of the Lord.