Sacrifice's In The Various Modes

2010-02-05 
Bhagavad Gita 17.11-13 - Sacrifice's In The Various Modes (download mp3)
by Nityananda Charan Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net

Bg 17.11

aphalakanksibhir yajño

vidhi-disto ya ijyate

yastavyam eveti manah

samadhaya sa sattvikah

Translation: 

Of sacrifices, the sacrifice performed according to the directions of scripture, as a matter of duty, by those who desire no reward, is of the nature of goodness.

Purport: 

The general tendency is to offer sacrifice with some purpose in mind, but here it is stated that sacrifice should be performed without any such desire. It should be done as a matter of duty. Take, for example, the performance of rituals in temples or in churches. Generally they are performed with the purpose of material benefit, but that is not in the mode of goodness. One should go to a temple or church as a matter of duty, offer respect to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and offer flowers and eatables without any purpose of obtaining material benefit. Everyone thinks that there is no use in going to the temple just to worship God. But worship for economic benefit is not recommended in the scriptural injunctions. One should go simply to offer respect to the Deity. That will place one in the mode of goodness. It is the duty of every civilized man to obey the injunctions of the scriptures and offer respect to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Bg 17.12

abhisandhaya tu phalam

dambhartham api caiva yat

ijyate bharata-srestha

tam yajñam viddhi rajasam

Translation: 

But the sacrifice performed for some material benefit, or for the sake of pride, O chief of the Bharatas, you should know to be in the mode of passion.

Purport: 

Sometimes sacrifices and rituals are performed for elevation to the heavenly kingdom or for some material benefits in this world. Such sacrifices or ritualistic performances are considered to be in the mode of passion.

Bg 17.13

vidhi-hinam asrstannam

mantra-hinam adaksinam

sraddha-virahitam yajñam

tamasam paricaksate

Translation: 

Any sacrifice performed without regard for the directions of scripture, without distribution of prasadam [spiritual food], without chanting of Vedic hymns and remunerations to the priests, and without faith is considered to be in the mode of ignorance.

Purport: 

Faith in the mode of darkness or ignorance is actually faithlessness. Sometimes people worship some demigod just to make money and then spend the money for recreation, ignoring the scriptural injunctions. Such ceremonial shows of religiosity are not accepted as genuine. They are all in the mode of darkness; they produce a demoniac mentality and do not benefit human society.