(Arjun said)
Ye, shastrvidhim’, utsrjya, yajante, shraddhya, anvitaH,
Teshaam’, nishtha, tu, ka, Krishna, Sattvam’, aaho, RajH, TamH ||1||
(Arjun uvaach)
Translation: (Krishna) O Krishna! (ye) those who (shastrvidhim’) ordinances of the scriptures (utsrjya) abandoning (shraddhya) with faith (anvitaH) endowed with (yajante) worship the demi-gods etc (teshaam’) their (nishtha) state (tu) then (ka) what (Sattvam’) is Satvik (aaho) or (RajH) Rajsi (TamH) Tamsi? (1)
Translation: O Krishna! Those who, abandoning the ordinances of the scriptures, worship the demigods etc with faith, what is their state then, Satvik, Rajsi or Tamsi?
Important: - In Gita Chapter 17 from Verse 2 to 22, there is description of the religious practices performed by those devotees, who abandoning the ordinances of the scriptures, act arbitrarily i.e. worship according to their nature, which has been described as useless in Gita Gita Chapter 16 Verse 23-24. For this reason only, Arjun has enquired in this Gita Chapter 17’s aforesaid Verse 1. In its answer, God has said that whatever nature a devotee had in his previous human birth, he acquires the same nature whenever he attains a human birth again. He does not agree even when advised; know him to be of demoniac nature. The description of such worshippers is given with full explanation in Gita Gita Chapter 7 Verse 12 to 15. Its evidence is clearly given in Gita Gita Chapter 8 Verse 5-6. In this Gita Chapter 17 from Verse 2 to 22, although there is description of the comparison between one-another; however, it is still opposite to the injunctions of the scriptures. Because of which, it is not meritorious. In this Gita Chapter 17 from Verse 23 to the last Verse 28, there is description of the attainment of the Purna Parmatma (Complete God) for which there is a special evidence in Gita Gita Chapter 4 Verse 34 and Gita Chapter 15 Verse 1 to 4.
(Bhagwan uvaach)
Trividha, bhavti, shraddha, dehinaam’, saa, swabhaavja,
Sattviki, Rajsi, ch, ev, Tamsi, ch, iti, taam’, shrnu ||2||
(God said)
Translation: (Dehinam’) of the men / human beings (saa) that (swabhaavja) born of nature (shraddha) faith (Sattviki) Satviki (ch) and (Rajsi) Rajsi (ch) and (Tamsi) Tamsi (iti) thus (trividha) of three types (ev) only (bhavti) is (taam’) that snare of darkness of ignorance (shrnu) hear about. (2)
Translation: That faith of the men, born of their nature, is of three types only – Satviki and Rajsi and Tamsi. Hear about that snare of darkness of ignorance.
Sattvaanurupa, sarvasya, shraddha, bhavti, bharat’,
ShraddhaamayH, ayam’, purushH, yaH, yachchhrddhH, saH, ev, saH ||3||
Translation: (Bharat’) Oh Bharat! (sarvasya) everyone’s (shraddha) faith (sattvaanurupa) in accordance with their inner-self (bhavti) is (ayam’) this (purushH) person (shraddhaamayH) is filled with faith, therefore (yaH) one who (yachchhrddhH) whatever faith one has (saH) he himself (ev) actually (saH) is that only. (3)
Translation: Oh Bharat! Everyone’s faith is in accordance with their inner-self. This person is filled with faith, therefore, whatever faith one has, he himself is actually that only.
Yajante, SaattvikaH, devaan’, yaksharakshaansi, RaajsaH,
Pretaan’, bhootganaan’, ch, anye, yajante, TaamsaH, janaaH ||4||
Translation: (SaattvikaH) Satvik men (devaan’) gods like Shri Brahma Ji, Shri Vishnu Ji, Shri Shiv Ji etc (yajante) worship (RaajsaH) Rajas men (yaksharakshaansi) Yakshas and the demons and (anye) others who (TaamsaH) Tamas (janaaH) men, they (pretaan’) spirits (ch) and (bhootganaan’) ghosts (yajante) worship and also chiefly regard Shri Shiv Ji as their deity. (4)
Translation: Satvik men worship gods like, Shri Brahma Ji, Shri Vishnu Ji and Shri Shiv Ji etc. Rajas men worship yakshas and demons, and the others who are Tamas men, they worship spirits and ghosts and also chiefly regard Shri Shiv Ji as their deity.
Ashaastrvihitam’, ghoram’, tapyante, ye, tapH, janaaH,
DambhaahankaarsanyuktaH, kaamraagbalaanvitaH ||5||
Translation: (Ye) who (janaaH) men (ashaastrvihitam’) not enjoined by the scriptures, only arbitrary (ghoram’) severe (tapH) austerity (tapyante) practice and (dambhaahankaarsanyuktaH) filled with hypocrisy and arrogance and (kaamraagbalaanvitaH) are also filled with attachment to desire and pride of the power of bhakti. (5)
Translation: Those men who only practice arbitrary severe austerity which is not enjoined by the scriptures and are equipped with hypocrisy and arrogance and with attachment to desire and pride of the power of bhakti.
KarshyantH, shareerasthm’, bhootgraamm’, achetasH, mam’,
Ch, ev, antHshareerasthm’, taan’, viddhi, aasurnishchyaan’ ||6||
Translation: (Shareerasthm’) dwelling in the body (bhootgraamm’) chiefs of the living beings – Brahma, Vishnu, Shiv and Ganesh and Prakriti and (mam’) me (ch) and (antHshareerasthm’) the Purna Parmatma dwelling with the living being in the heart lotus of the body (karshyantH) who torture (taan’) them (achetasH) ignorants (aasurnishchayaan’) of demoniac nature (ev) only (viddhi) know. (6)
Translation: The ignorants, who torture the chiefs of the living beings – Brahma, Vishnu , Shiv, Ganesh, Prakriti and me dwelling in the body and the Purna Parmatma dwelling with the living being in the heart lotus of the body, know them to be of demoniac nature only.
AahaarH, tu, api, sarvasya, trividhH, bhavti, priyaH,
YagyaH, tapH, tatha, daanam’, teshaam’, bhedam’, imm’, shrnu ||7||
Translation: (AahaarH) food (api) also (sarvasya) to everyone according to their nature (trividhH) of three types (priyaH) dear (bhavti) is (tu) therefore (tatha) in a similar manner (yagyaH) yagya (tapH) austerity and (daanam’) charity are also of three types each (teshaam’) of them (imm’) this (bhedam’) distinction, from me (shrnu) hear. (7)
Translation: The food also, which is dear to everyone according to their nature, is of three types. Therefore, in a similar manner, yagya, austerity and charity are also of three types each. Hear this distinction of them from me.
AayuH, sattvbalaarogyasukhpreetivivardhnaH, rasyaaH,
SnigdhaH, sthiraH, hrdyaH, aahaaraH, saattvikpriyaH ||8||
Translation: (AayuH sattvbal aarogya sukhpreeti vivardhnaH) which promote age, intellect, strength, health, happiness and love (rasyaaH) juicy (snigdhaH) oily and (sthiraH) which are lasting and (hrdyaH) dear to mind by nature, such (aahaaraH) food i.e. edible substances (saattvikpriyaH) are liked by those dominated by Satogun i.e. the worshippers of Vishnu whose revered deity is Vishnu. (8)
Translation: Foods i.e. edible substances which promote age, intellect, strength, health, happiness and love, which are juicy, oily and which are lasting and which are dear to mind by nature only, are liked by those dominated by Satogun i.e. the worshippers of Vishnu whose revered deity is Vishnu.
Kat’vamllavanaatyushnteekshnrukshvidaahinH,
AahaaraH, raajsasya, ishtaH, duHkhshokaamyapradaH ||9||
Translation: (Katuaml lavan atyushn teekshn ruksh vidaahinH) bitter, sour, salty, excessively hot, spicy, dry, burning and (duHkhshok aamyapradaH) which give rise to misery, worry and disease (aahaaraH) food (Raajsasya) by Rajas people (ishtaH) Rajogun-dominated i.e. those whose revered deity is Brahma like the above-mentioned foods because Demon Hrinakashipu had worshipped Brahma. (9)
Translation: Foods which are bitter, sour, salty, excessively hot, spicy, dry, burning and which give rise to misery, worries and disease are liked by Rajas people, Rajogun-dominated i.e. whose revered deity is Brahma; because Hrinakashipu had worshipped Brahma.
Yaatyaamm’, gatarsam’, pooti, paryushitam’, ch, yat’,
Uchchhishtam’, api, ch, amedhyam’, bhojnm’, taamaspriyam’ ||10||
Translation: (Yat’) which (bhojnm’) food (yaatyaamm’) half-cooked (gatarsam’) tasteless (pooti) foul-smelling (paryushitam’) stale (ch) and (uchchhishtam’) is leftover / rejected (ch) and (amedhyam’) impure (api) is also, that food (taamaspriyam’) is dear to Tamas men. (10)
Translation: The food which is half-cooked, tasteless, foul-smelling, stale and is leftover and which is also impure is dear to the Tamas man. The revered deity of those who are dominated by Tamogun is Shiv, and they worship ghosts and spirits who are of a lower level. They like the above-mentioned food.
{In this Verse 11 — After obtaining jaap of three mantras (in which one is Om’ naam and Tat’ - Sat’ are coded) from a Complete Saint according to the scriptures, one should perform five yagyas, that too without any desire for the result, otherwise, the result of a yagya done for fulfilment of a desire is not complete.}
AflaakaankshibhiH, yagyaH, vidhidrshtH, yaH, ijyate,
Yashtvyam’, ev, iti, manH, smaadhaay, saH, saattvikH ||11||
Translation: (YaH) which (vidhidrshtH) directed by the injunctions of the scriptures (yagyaH) yagya (yashtvyam’, ev) to perform only is a duty (iti) thus (manH) mind (smaadhaay) by resolving (aflaakaankshibhiH) those who do not desire for the result (ijyate) is performed (saH) that (saattvikH) is Satvik. (11)
Translation: It is a duty to only perform yagya directed by the injunctions of the scriptures – with such resolution of mind a yagya, which is performed by those who do not desire for the results, is Satvik.
Important: - Although in above-mentioned Verse 11, the distinctive description of Satvik yagya is said to be according to the scriptures, but without finding the Tatvdarshi Saint mentioned in Gita Gita Chapter 4 Verse 34, this Satvik sadhna[1] is also futile because in Gita Chapter 17 Verse 1, Arjun has asked about those who abandoning the injunctions of the scriptures act arbitrarily, which has been described as futile in Gita Gita Chapter 16 Verse 23-24. Therefore, here only those who act arbitrarily out of their nature are being described. This sadhna is also useless.
Abhisandhaay, tu, falam’, dambhaarthm’, api, ch, ev, yat’,
Ijyate, bharatshreshth, tam’, yagyam’, viddhi, raajsam’ ||12||
Translation: (Tu) But (bharatshreshth) Oh Arjun! (dambhaarthm’, ev) only for the sake of pretention (ch) and (falam’) reward (api) also (abhisandhaay) keeping in view (yat’) a yagya, which (ijyate) is performed (tam’) which takes one into dark hell (yagyam’) yagya i.e. religious rite (rajsam’) Rajas (viddhi) know. (12)
Translation: But oh Arjun! A yagya which is performed only for the sake of pretention and also keeping in view the reward, know that yagya i.e. religious rite, which takes one to dark hell, as Rajas.
Vidhiheenm’, asrshtaannm’, mantrheenm’, adakshinm’,
Shraddhaavirhitam’, yagyam’, taamsam’, parichakshte ||13||
Translation: (Vidhiheenm’) contrary to the scriptural injunctions (asrshtaannm’) without distribution of food (mantrheenm’) without actual mantras (adakshinm’) without giving gifts, without obtaining initiation and (shraddhavirhitam’) performed without faith (yagyam’) yagya i.e. religious rite (taamsam’) Tamas yagya (parichakshte) is said to be. (13)
Translation: A yagya i.e. religious rite which is contrary to the scriptural injunctions, in which no food is distributed, which is performed without actual mantras, without giving gifts, without obtaining initiation and without faith is said to be Tamas yagya.
Devdwijgurupraagyapoojnm’, shauchm’, aarjavam’,
Brahmcharyam’, ahimsa, ch, shaareeram’, tapH, uchyate ||14||
Translation: (Devdwijgurupraagyapoojnm’) respect of persons with divine nature i.e. saints, Brahmins, Guru and learned persons (shauchm’) purity (aarjavam’) submissiveness (brahmcharyam’) celibacy (ch) and (ahimsa) non-violence (shaareeram’) related to body (tapH) austerity (uchyate) is said to be. (14)
Translation: Respect of persons with divine nature i.e. saints, Brahmins, Guru and learned persons, purity, submissiveness, celibacy, and non-violence, this is said to be austerity related to the body. But all this is contrary to scriptural injunctions and because of which is useless religious practice. Because in Gita Gita Chapter 16 Verse 23-24, to act arbitrarily abandoning the scriptural injunctions has been described as useless.
Anudwegkaram’, vaakyam’, satyam’, priyahitam’, ch, yat’,
Swaadhyaayaabhyasanam’, ch, ev, vaankmayam’, tapH, uchyate ||15||
Translation: (Yat’) that which (anudwegkaram’) does not cause agitation (priyahitam’) is pleasing and beneficial (ch) and (satyam’) true (vaakyam’) is speech (ch) and (swaadhyaay ahyasanam’) study of religious texts and practice of the jaap of the mantra of God (ev) only (vaankmayam’) related to speech (tapH) austerity (uchyate) is said to be. (15)
Translation: That which does not cause agitation, is pleasing and beneficial, and is true speech, and study of religious texts, and the practice of the jaap of the mantra of God only is said to be the austerity related to speech.
ManH, prsaadH, saumyatvam’, maunm’, aatmvinigrhH,
BhaavsanshuddhiH, iti, etat’, tapH, maansam’, uchyate ||16||
Translation: (ManH prsaadH) happiness of mind (saumyatvam’) calmness (maunm’) apart from discussion about God, silence in worldly talks (aatmvinigrhH) restraint of every thought and (bhaavsanshuddhiH) purity in feelings (iti) thus (etat’) this (maansam’) related to mind (tapH) austerity (uchyate) is said to be. (16)
Translation: Happiness of mind, calmness, apart from discussion about God, silence in worldly talks, restraint of every thought and purity in feelings; thus, this is said to be austerity related to mind.
Shraddhya, parya, taptam’, tat’, trividham’, naraeH,
AflaakaankshibhiH, yuktae, Saattvikam’, parichakshte ||17||
Translation: (AflaakaankshibhiH) not desirous of rewards (yuktaeH) engrossed in bhakti according to the scriptural injunctions (naraeH) by men (parya) utmost (shraddhya) with faith (taptam’) practised (tat’) that above-mentioned (trividham’) of three types (tapH) austerity (saattvikam’) Satvik (parichakshte) are said to be. (17)
Translation: That above-mentioned austerity of three types, practiced with utmost faith by men engrossed in bhakti according to the scriptural injunctions who are not desirous of rewards, is said to be Satvik.
Satkaarmaanpoojaarthm’, tapH, dambhen, ch, ev, yat’,
Kriyate, tat’, ih, proktam’, raajsam’, chalam’, adhruvam’ ||18||
Translation: (Yat’) which (tapH) austerity (satkaarmaanpoojaarthm’) for veneration in form of respect, honour (ev) only (ch) and (dambhen) with hypocrisy (kriyate) is practised (tat’) that (adhruvam’) transient (chalam’) destructible austerity (ih) here (raajsam’) Rajas (proktam’) is called. (18)
Translation: The austerity, which is practised only for veneration in form of respect and honour, and with hypocrisy, that transient destructible austerity is called Rajas here.
Moodgraahen, aatmanH, yat’, peedya, kriyate, tapH,
Parasya, utsaadnaarthm’, va, tat’, taamsam’, udaahrtam’ ||19||
Translation: (Yat’) which (tapH) austerity (moodgraahen) foolishly with stubbornness (aatmanH) of mind, speech and body (peedya) inflicting pain to (va) or (parasya) of others (utsaadnaarthm’) to cause harm (kriyate) is practised (tat’) that austerity (taamsam’) Tamas (udaahrtam’) is said to be. (19)
Translation: The austerity which is practised foolishly with stubbornness by inflicting pain to mind, speech and body, or to cause harm to others, that austerity is said to be Tamas. {Its evidence is also in Gita Gita Chapter 3 Verse 6.}
Daatvyam’, iti, yat’, daanm’, deeyate, anupakaarine,
Deshe, kaale, ch, paatre, ch, tat’, daanm’, saattvikam’, smritam’ ||20||
Translation: (Daatvyam’) it is a duty to do charity (iti) with this belief (yat’) which (daanm’) charity (deshe ch kaale) situation/place and time (ch) and (paatre) on finding a person worthy of being given charity (anupkaarine) without any desire for reward in its return (deeyate) is given (tat’) that (daanm’) charity (saattvikam’) Satvik (smritam’) is said to be. (20)
Translation: It is a duty to do charity. A charity which is given with this belief on finding the situation and time and a person worthy of being given charity without any desire for reward in its return, that charity is said to be Satvik.
Yat’, tu, pratyupkaaraarthm’, falam’, uddishya, va, punH,
Deeyate, ch, pariklishtam’, tat’, daanm’, raajsam’, smritam’ ||21||
Translation: (Tu) but (yat’) a charity which (pratyupkaaraarthm’) for receiving benefit in return (va) or (punH) again (falam’) reward (uddishya) with the aim (deeyate) is given (ch) and (pariklishtam’) with dissension i.e. with an unhappy mind on giving donation (tat’) that (daanm’) charity (raajsam’) Rajas (smritam’) is said to be. (21)
Translation: But a charity which is given for receiving benefit in return or with the aim of getting reward and with dissension i.e. with an unhappy mind on giving donation, that charity is said to be Rajas.
Adeshkaale, yat’, daanm’, apaatrebhyaH, ch, deeyate,
Asatkrtam’, avagyaatam’, tat’, taamsam’, udaahrtam’ ||22||
Translation: (Yat’) which (daanm’) charity (avagyaatam’) by violating the orders of the Guru (asatkrtam’) by disrespecting him (ch) nd (adeshkaale) at an inappropriate time, situation (apaatrebhyaH) to an unworthy recipient instead of a Purna Guru (deeyate) is given (tat’) that charity (Taamsam’) Tamas (udaahrtam’) is said to be. (22)
Translation: A charity which is given by violating the orders of the Guru, by disrespecting him and at an inappropriate time, situation, to an unworthy recipient instead of a Purna Guru[2], that charity is said to be Tamas.
Important: - In the following Verses 23 to 28, there is description of the attainment of the Purna Parmatma (Complete God) and for that a special detailed description is given in Gita Gita Chapter 8 Verse 5 to 10 and 12-13, Gita Chapter 4 Verse 34 and Gita Chapter 15 Verse 1 to 4 and Gita Chapter 18 Verse 61, 62, 64, 66.
ॐ , Tat’, Sat’, iti, nirdeshH, brahmnH, trividhH, smrtH,
BraahmnaH, ten, vedaH, ch, yagyaaH, ch, vihitaH, pura ||23||
Translation: (ॐ) Om’ mantra of Brahm, (Tat’) Tat’ - this is coded mantra of ParBrahm, (Sat’) Sat’ - this is coded mantra of Purna Brahm (iti) in this way, this (trividhH) of three types (brahmnH) of rememberance of mantra of Purna Parmatma (nirdeshH) direction (smrtH) is said to be (ch) and (pura) in the beginning of nature (braahmnaH) the scholars (ten) that same (vedaH) based on Tatvgyan, Ved (ch) and (yagyaaH) yagya etc (vihitaH) created. (23)
Translation: ॐ/Om’ mantra of Brahm, Tat’ - this is coded mantra of ParBrahm, Sat’ - this is coded mantra of Purna Brahm. In this way, there is direction of rememberance of three types of mantras of Purna Parmatma, and in the beginning of nature, based on that very Tatvgyan, the scholars created Vedas and yagya etc. They used to worship according to that.
Tasmaat’, Om’, iti, udaahrtya, yagyadaantapHkriyaH,
Prvartante, vidhaanoktaH, sattam’, brahmvaadinaam’ ||24||
Translation: (Tasmaat’) Therefore (brahmvaadinaam’) of those who pray to God and (vidhaanoktH) of those who advise rituals which are in accordance with the scriptural injunctions (yagyadaantapHkriyaH) the acts of yagya, charity and austerity or sumiran[3] (sattam’) always (Om’) Om’ (iti) this mantra (udaahrtya) only by chanting (prvartante) commence. (24)
Translation: Therefore, the acts of yagya, charity and austerity and sumiran of those, who pray to God and those who advise rituals which are in accordance with the scriptural injunctions, always commence by chanting this mantra Om’ only; i.e. in the jaap of the three mantras, commencement is from Om’ mantra through breath.
Tat’, iti, anbhisandhaay, falam’, yagyatapHkriyaH,
DaankriyaH, ch, vividhaH, kriyante, mokshkaankshibhiH ||25||
Translation: (Tat’) on the jaap of Tat’ mantra of Akshar Purush i.e. ParBrahm (iti) the breath iti i.e. ends and (falam’) fruit (anbhisandhaay) not desiring (vividhaH) various kinds of (yagyatapHkriyaH) acts of yagya, tap (ch) and (daankriyaH) acts of charity (mokshkaankshibhiH) by men who desire to attain well-being i.e. who only wish to become completely free from the cycle of birth and death (kriyante) is done. This Tat’ mantra is ‘SohM’ mantra, which is jaap mantra of ParBrahm and in the jaap of Satnaam through breaths, the breath ends on the Tat’ mantra. (25)
Translation: The breath iti i.e. ends on the jaap of Tat’ mantra of Akshar Purush i.e. ParBrahm, and is done by those men who perform various kinds of activities of yagya, austerity and charity without desiring the fruit and with the desire of attaining well-being i.e. by those who only wish to become completely free from the cycle of birth and death. This Tat’ mantra is ‘SohM’ mantra, which is jaap mantra of ParBrahm and in the jaap of Satnaam through breaths, the breath iti i.e. ends on the Tat’ mantra.
Sad’bhaave, saadhubhaave, ch, sat’, iti, etat’, pryujyate,
Prshaste, karmni, tatha, sat’, shabdH, paarth, yujyate ||26||
Translation: (Sat’) Sat’ (iti) this Saarnaam at the end of Tat’ mantra (etat’) with the name of this very Purna Parmatma (sad’bhaave) in true sense (ch) and (saadhubhaave) in supreme sense (pryujyate) is used (tatha) and (paarth) Oh Paarth! (prshaste) superior (karmni) in act only (sat’ shabdH) Sat’ Shabd i.e. Saarnaam (yujyate) is used; i.e. is added at the end of the aforesaid two mantras Om’ and Tat’. (26)
Translation: ‘Sat’’- this Saarnaam is used in true sense and in supreme sense at the end of Tat’ mantra with the name of this very Purna Parmatma, and Oh Paarth, Sat’ Shabd i.e. Saarnaam is only used in a superior act; i.e. is added at the end of the aforesaid two mantras Om’ and Tat’.
Yagye, tapsi, daane, ch, sthitiH, sat’, iti, ch, uchyate,
Karm, ch, ev, tadartheeyam’, sat’, iti, ev, abhidheeyate ||27||
Translation: (Ch) and (yagye) yagya (tapsi) austerity (ch) and (daane) in charity (sthitiH) the state (ev) also (sat’) ‘Sat’’ (iti) as (uchyate) is said (ch) and (tadartheeyam’) for that Supreme God (karm) scripture-based act of bhakti (ev) actually (sat’) of Sat’ word (iti) at the end, some other word (abhidheeyate) is said by a Tatvdarshi Saint. For example, Sat’ Sahib, Satguru, Sat’ Purush, Satlok, Satnaam etc words are said. (27)
Translation: And the state in yagya, austerity and charity is also said to be ‘Sat’’, and in the scripture-based act of bhakti done for that Supreme God only, another word is said at the end of Sat’ word by a Tatvdarshi Saint. For example, Sat’ Sahib, Satguru, Sat’ Purush, Satlok, Satnaam etc words are said.
Ashraddhya, hutam’, dattam’, tapH, taptam’, krtam’, ch, yat’,
Asat’, iti, uchyate, paarth, na, ch, tat’, pretya, no, ih ||28||
Translation: (Paarth) Oh Arjun! (ashraddhya) without faith (hutam’) hawan performed (dattam’) a charity given and (taptam’) practiced (tapH) austerity (ch) and (yat’) whatever (krtam’) auspicious act is performed, all that (asat’) is ‘Asat’’ i.e. is useless (iti) in this way (uchyate) is said, therefore (tat’) it (no) neither, for us (ih) is beneficial in this world (ch) and (na) nor (pretya) after death. (28)
Translation: Oh Arjun! Without faith, a hawan[4] performed, a charity given and an austerity practiced and whatever auspicious act is performed, all of that is ‘Asat’’ i.e. is useless – it is said so. Therefore, it is neither beneficial for us in this world nor after death.