अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः। दम्भा:ङ्कारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः।।१७.५।।
ashastravihitam ghoram tapyante ye tapo janaah | dambhaankaarasanyuktah kaamaragabalaanvitaah ||17.5||
Translation
Those persons who practise severe austerities not prescribed in the scriptures, driven by hypocrisy and arrogance, and who are powered by the force of desire and attachment.
Word Meanings
अशास्त्रविहितम् — not prescribed by the scriptures; घोरम् — terrible, dreadful; तप्यन्ते — perform austerities; ये — those who; तपो जनाः — persons of austerity; दम्भाः — hypocrisy; आङ्कारसंयुक्ताः — combined with conceit; कामरागबलान्विताः — endowed with the force of desire and attachment
Understanding the Verse
In this verse Lord Krishna describes a class of ascetics whose conduct is fundamentally corrupted. They undertake harsh penances (tapyante) that are not sanctioned by the sacred injunctions (aśāstra‑vihita). Such austerities, rather than purifying the mind, become a tool for self‑aggrandizement. By stepping outside the scriptural framework they betray the very purpose of dharma‑based discipline, turning asceticism into a display of power and ego.
The verse highlights two dominant mental impurities: damba (hypocrisy) and aṅkāra (conceit). Hypocrisy denotes a false appearance of virtue while the heart remains attached to selfish motives. Conceit fuels the belief that one is superior because of one’s self‑imposed hardships. This combination creates a dangerous spiritual pride that blinds the practitioner to the true essence of renunciation, which is humility and surrender to the Divine.
Krishna further points out that these individuals are propelled by kāma‑rāga‑bala – the intense force of desire and attachment to objects of pleasure. Their austerities are not aimed at liberating the soul but at strengthening their own willpower to attain material or egoic goals. The ‘force’ (bala) suggests a compelling energy that binds them tighter to the cycle of samsara, rather than liberating them from it.
The warning in this verse is not merely about external practices but about the inner attitude that accompanies them. True yoga demands that austerities be performed in accordance with scriptural guidance (śāstra) and with a mindset of self‑lessness. When the practitioner’s heart is cluttered with hypocrisy, arrogance, and desire, even the most severe penance becomes a source of bondage rather than liberation. This insight underscores the Bhagavad Gita’s broader teaching that the quality of intention determines the spiritual fruit of any action.
For modern seekers, the verse serves as a cautionary reminder to examine the motives behind spiritual disciplines. Whether it is fasting, meditation, or any form of self‑control, the practice must be rooted in humility, guided by authentic scripture, and free from the craving for personal glory. Only then can austerities become a genuine vehicle for inner purification and the eventual realization of the Self.
