Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 17.5 अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः
श्लोक 17.5
अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः ।
दम्भाहंकारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः ॥
aśāstravihitaṃ ghoraṃ tapyante ye tapo janāḥ |
dambhāhaṃkārasaṃyuktāḥ kāmarāgabalānvitāḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो लोग शास्त्र में न बताए गए घोर तप करते हैं, जो दंभ और अहंकार से युक्त हैं तथा कामना, आसक्ति और बल के घमंड से भरे हैं,
Meaning in English
Those who perform severe austerities not sanctioned by scripture, driven by hypocrisy and ego, and impelled by the force of desire and attachment,
Bhagavad Gita 17.5 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अशास्त्रविहितम् | aśāstra-vihitam | not sanctioned by scripture |
| घोरम् | ghoram | terrible, severe |
| तप्यन्ते | tapyante | perform |
| ये | ye | those who |
| तपः | tapaḥ | austerity |
| जनाः | janāḥ | people |
| दम्भाहंकारसंयुक्ताः | dambha-ahaṃkāra-saṃyuktāḥ | given to hypocrisy and egoism |
| कामरागबलान्विताः | kāma-rāga-bala-anvitāḥ | driven by desire, attachment and force |
Explanation
Those who undergo severe austerities not sanctioned by scripture, given to hypocrisy and egoism, and driven by desire, attachment and the urge for power, are described here. Krishna begins a two-verse warning about extreme self-mortification done for show or for power, which, he says, is not true tapas at all.
The sentence continues into 17.6. Commentators note that the Gita consistently rejects harsh self-punishment as a spiritual path; chapter 6 already teaches moderation in eating, sleeping and effort. Shankara explains kāma-rāga-bala as desire, attachment and strength, or the force that comes from them. Such austerity is driven by ego rather than by the wish for inner purity. Many readers see a lasting message: discipline should refine the person, not become a display of willpower or a means to dominate.
भावार्थ
जो लोग शास्त्र-विधि के विरुद्ध घोर तप करते हैं, जो दम्भ और अहंकार से युक्त हैं तथा काम, आसक्ति और बल के अभिमान से भरे हुए हैं — ऐसे लोगों का तप सच्चा तप नहीं है (अगले श्लोक में वाक्य पूरा होता है)।
Living it today
Discipline is good; punishing yourself to impress others or prove a point is not. Ask whether your self-control is making you kinder or harder.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 17.5?
Those who undergo severe austerities not sanctioned by scripture, given to hypocrisy and egoism, and driven by desire, attachment and the urge for power, are described here. Krishna begins a two-verse warning about extreme self-mortification done for show or for power, which, he says, is not true tapas at all.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 17.5?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 17 (Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 17.5 in daily life?
Discipline is good; punishing yourself to impress others or prove a point is not. Ask whether your self-control is making you kinder or harder.
Reflected on verse 17.5?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.