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Chapter 17
Link:- In the preceding verse, the Lord declared that acts performed for the Lord's sake, become 'Sat' (Real). Now, the question arises, what is the result of acts which are not performed, for the Lord's sake (i.e., which are performed without faith in Him).
asraddhaya hutam dattam tapastaptam krtam ca
yat asadityucyate partha na ca tatpretya no iha
Whatever oblation is offered, whatever charity (gift), is given, whatever penance is performed and whatsoever, is done, without faith, is called 'Asat', 0 Arjuna, it is of no avail here or hereafter. 28
Comment:-
Asraddhaya hutam dattam tepasteptam krtam ca yat:- If acts of sacrifice, penance and charity, which are sanctioned by scriptures, are performed without faith, these are called 'Asat'. Demoniac people, do not believe, in the next world (hereafter), rebirth, righteousness and God. They act against scriptures. Sacrifice and penance, performed by them, are against the ordinance of scriptures.
Now the question arises as to why they perform sacrifices and penance, when they have no faith in them. The answer is, that they perform these to win praise, regard and honour.
Asadityucyate partha na ca tatpretya no iha:- An action, such as sacrifice etc., which is performed without faith, is called 'Asat'. It is useless in this life, as well as, in the next. If actions are performed, expecting a reward, with faith, according to the ordinance of scriptures, they bear fruit here, in the form of riches, prosperity, obedient sons and chaste wife etc., and hereafter, in the form of the attainment of heaven etc. If they are performed, without expecting any reward, with faith and in accordance with scriptures, these having purified the heart and lead to God-realization. But if these are performed without faith, they are of no avail, either in this world, or in the next world.
Now, a question arises, that sinful acts such as injustice, tyranny, fraud, falsehood and forgery etc., should not bear any fruit, because these are performed, without faith and the person, does not expect any reward.
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