अभिसंधाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत् ।
इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम् ॥
इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम् ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
परन्तु हे भरतश्रेष्ठ अर्जुन जो यज्ञ फलकी इच्छाको लेकर अथवा दम्भदिखावटीपन के लिये भी किया जाता है, उसको तुम राजस समझो ॥
English
But, best of the Bharatas, know that sacrifice to be rajasic when it is performed for reward or for show.
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.
The takeaway
It exposes the hidden craving to be seen, praised, or rewarded, so you can notice it before it shapes your actions.
Word-by-word translation
अभिसंधाय (with intention) / तु (but) / फलम् (fruit, result) / दम्भार्थम् (for display, for show) / अपि (also) / च (and) / एव (indeed) / यत् (which) / इज्यते (is performed as sacrifice) / भरतश्रेष्ठ (best of the Bharatas) / तम् (that) / यज्ञम् (sacrifice) / विद्धि (know) / राजसम् (rajasic)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga — The Three Kinds of Faith, which contains 28 verses.