Chapter 17, Verse 5
अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जना: |
दम्भाहङ्कारसंयुक्ता: कामरागबलान्विता: ॥5॥
aśāstra-vihitaṁ ghoraṁ tapyante ye tapo janāḥ |
dambhāhaṅkāra-saṁyuktāḥ kāma-rāga-balānvitāḥ ||
"Those persons who, given to ostentation and pride, and possessed of passion, attachment and strength, undertake severe austerities not sanctioned in the scriptures."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 17.5 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 17.5 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Lord Krishna identifies a category of misguided 'tapas' (austerity). These practices are characterized by being 'a-śāstra-vihitam' (not ordained by scripture) and 'ghoram' (cruel/ghastly). The motivation behind such acts is not spiritual purification but 'dambha' (hypocrisy) and 'ahankāra' (ego), fueled by 'kāma' (desire) and 'rāga' (attachment). True spirituality is not about torturing the physical body or the Indwelling Soul, but about disciplined alignment with Vedic wisdom. This verse warns against performative asceticism designed to gain power or social status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 17.5?
Those persons who, given to ostentation and pride, and possessed of passion, attachment and strength, undertake severe austerities not sanctioned in the scriptures.