A core teaching · reflective in mood · easy to enter
“An offering for reward or applause loses its purity.”
But, best of the Bharatas, know that sacrifice to be rajasic when it is performed for reward or for show.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
Read literallywith intention · but · fruit, result · for display, for show · also · and · indeed · which · is performed as sacrifice · best of the Bharatas · that · sacrifice · know · rajasic
A sacrifice done for personal gain or to look impressive is not pure. Its motive makes it rajasic, driven by restlessness and ego.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga" (The Three Kinds of Faith).
Verse 12 sits in Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita — Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga, "The Three Kinds of Faith". The chapter has 28 verses in total.
You post the donation receipt, the volunteer photo, the perfect caption. The act may help others, but part of you is still feeding on recognition.
Did you like this verse?
It shifts attention from the outer act to the motive behind it.
What this verse means
A sacrifice done for personal gain or to look impressive is not pure. Its motive makes it rajasic, driven by restlessness and ego.
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still frozen between battle and duty. Krishna now classifies sacrifice by motive: pure offering, selfish offering, and careless offering. This verse names the middle one — action done for gain or display.
Why this verse still matters
You post the donation receipt, the volunteer photo, the perfect caption. The act may help others, but part of you is still feeding on recognition.
“It exposes the hidden craving to be seen, praised, or rewarded, so you can notice it before it shapes your actions.”