ātma-sambhāvitāḥ stabdhā dhana-māna-madānvitāḥ
yajante nāma-yajñais te dambhenāvidhi-pūrvakam
ātma-sambhāvitāḥ — self-conceited;
stabdhāḥ — stubborn;
dhana — wealth;
māna — pride;
mada — arrogance;
anvitāḥ — full of;
yajante — perform sacrifice;
nāma — in name only;
yajñaiḥ — sacrifices;
te — they;
dambhena — ostentatiously;
avidhi-pūrvakam — with no regards to the rules of the scriptures
This verse talks about certain people who, because they have money and think highly of themselves, act in a way that shows they are full of pride and arrogance. These individuals often pretend to be religious or spiritual but do not really follow any of the proper rules that usually come with such practices.
They believe they are above common standards and do not respect any authority or guidelines from holy books. For them, it’s more about how things look rather than doing the right thing. They may do religious ceremonies or sacrifices, but it’s more for show than genuine belief or devotion. This is what we mean by performing these actions 'in name only.' They want others to see them as important figures in spirituality or religion, but their actions are not sincere.
Imagine someone who wears a doctor’s coat without being a real doctor. They might pretend to save lives or give medical advice, but they don’t have the knowledge or background to do so. Similarly, these people may dress like monks or spiritual leaders, but their actions don't reflect true spirituality. They might perform rituals that are meant to provide blessings or connect with a higher power, but since they ignore the actual rules, their actions lack the true essence or purpose.
This verse also warns us about the dangers of getting fooled by such people. They can sometimes lead others astray, making them believe in their false teachings. Some people might be so easily swayed by good looks or a confident attitude, that they may start to see these figures as enlightened beings or even divine incarnations.
So, what’s the lesson here? It’s important to be cautious and critical. Just because someone seems to be involved in spiritual or religious activities, we shouldn’t automatically trust them, especially if they disregard the fundamental principles of genuine faith. The idea is to recognize true spirituality, which is built on humility, respect for rules coming from ancient wisdom, and sincere actions, rather than mere appearances or empty rituals.