Chapter 17: The Divisions of Faith
Bg 17.18
TEXT 18
satkara-mana-pujartham
tapo dambhena caiva yat
kriyate tad iha proktam
rajasam calam adhruvam
tapo dambhena caiva yat
kriyate tad iha proktam
rajasam calam adhruvam
SYNONYMS
satkara—respect; mana—honor; puja-artham—for worship; tapah—austerity; dambhena—with pride; ca—also; eva—certainly; yat—which is; kriyate—performed; tat—that; iha—in this world; proktam—is said; rajasam—in the mode of passion; calam—flickering; adhruvam—temporary.
TRANSLATION
Those ostentatious penances and austerities which are performed in order to gain respect, honor and reverence are said to be in the mode of passion. They are neither stable nor permanent.
PURPORT
Sometimes penance and austerity are executed to attract people and receive honor, respect and worship from others. Persons in the mode of passion arrange to be worshiped by subordinates and let them wash their feet and offer riches. Such arrangements artificially made by the performance of penances are considered to be in the mode of passion. The results are temporary; they can be continued for some time, but they are not permanent.
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Copyright (c) 1972 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada