Geetanjali

Bhagavad Geeta 17.1

Sanskrit

अर्जुन उवाचये शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य यजन्ते श्रद्धयाऽन्विताः।तेषां निष्ठा तु का कृष्ण सत्त्वमाहो रजस्तमः।।17.1।।

arjuna uvācha ye śhāstra-vidhim utsṛijya yajante śhraddhayānvitāḥ teṣhāṁ niṣhṭhā tu kā kṛiṣhṇa sattvam āho rajas tamaḥ

Meaning

Good intentions without proper knowledge and alignment lead to wasted effort. Leaders must combine faith with wisdom and clear principles to create lasting impact.

Translation

Arjuna said, But, O Krsna, what is the state of those who, endued with faith, perform sacrifices, distribute wealth, etc. in honour of gods and others, while ignoring the injunctions of the scriptures? Is it sattva, rajas, or tamas?

Related Topics

This verse relates to the following principles from the Bhagavad Geeta: