Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 17.28 अश्रद्धया हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च
श्लोक 17.28
अश्रद्धया हुतं दत्तं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत् ।
असदित्युच्यते पार्थ न च तत्प्रेत्य नो इह ॥
aśraddhayā hutaṃ dattaṃ tapastaptaṃ kṛtaṃ ca yat |
asadityucyate pārtha na ca tatpretya no iha ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे पार्थ! बिना श्रद्धा के किया गया हवन, दिया गया दान, तपा गया तप या कोई भी कर्म असत् कहलाता है; उसका न इस लोक में कोई फल है, न परलोक में।
Meaning in English
Whatever is offered, given, practised as austerity or done without faith is called 'asat' (unreal), O Partha; it is of no value either here or hereafter.
Bhagavad Gita 17.28 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अश्रद्धया | aśraddhayā | without faith |
| हुतम् | hutam | offered in fire |
| दत्तम् | dattam | given |
| तपः | tapaḥ | austerity |
| तप्तम् | taptam | practised |
| कृतम् | kṛtam | done |
| च यत् | ca yat | and whatever |
| असत् | asat | unreal, worthless |
| इति उच्यते | iti ucyate | is called |
| पार्थ | pārtha | O Partha |
| न च तत् | na ca tat | and it is of no use |
| प्रेत्य | pretya | after death |
| नो इह | no iha | nor here |
Explanation
Whatever is offered, given, practised as austerity or done without faith is called asat, O Partha; it is of no value either hereafter or here. The chapter ends by returning to its theme. Without śraddhā, even outwardly correct acts become hollow and bear no real fruit in this life or the next.
This verse completes the chapter's arc, which began with Arjuna's question about faith in 17.1. Asat is the opposite of sat: unreal, not good. Shankara stresses that such acts, being outside the scriptural path and lacking faith, bring neither worldly results nor spiritual merit. Commentators across traditions agree that faith is the life of every religious act. Many readers take the verse as a reminder that sincerity cannot be replaced by form alone.
भावार्थ
हे पार्थ, बिना श्रद्धा के किया गया हवन, दिया गया दान, किया गया तप और जो भी कर्म किया जाए, वह असत् कहलाता है। उसका न इस लोक में फल मिलता है, न परलोक में।
Living it today
Do fewer things with real faith rather than many things half-heartedly. Sincerity is what gives any practice its power.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 17.28?
Whatever is offered, given, practised as austerity or done without faith is called asat, O Partha; it is of no value either hereafter or here. The chapter ends by returning to its theme. Without śraddhā, even outwardly correct acts become hollow and bear no real fruit in this life or the next.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 17.28?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 17 (Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 17.28 in daily life?
Do fewer things with real faith rather than many things half-heartedly. Sincerity is what gives any practice its power.
Reflected on verse 17.28?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.