आत्मसम्भाविताः स्तब्धा धनमानमदान्विताः | यजन्ते नामयज्ञैस्ते दम्भेनाविधिपूर्वकम् || १७ ||
ātma-sambhāvitāḥ stabdhā dhana-māna-madānvitāḥ yajante nāma-yajñais te dambhenāvidhi-pūrvakam
ātma-sambhāvitāḥ—self-complacent; stabdhāḥ—impudent; dhana—wealth; māna—prestige; mada—arrogance; anvitāḥ—absorbed in; yajante—they perform sacrifices; nāma—in name only; yajñaiḥ—with sacrifices; te—they; dambhena—with pride; avidhi-pūrvakam—without following any rules.
“Self-conceited, stubborn, filled with the intoxication of wealth and false prestige, they perform sacrifices only in name, with ostentation, disregarding prescribed methods.”
Outward religiosity without inner surrender is a hallmark of the demoniac nature. The sacrifices performed here are done for social recognition ('in name only'), not for genuine worship of the Lord. The prescribed methods—which require humility, proper attitude, and offerings made in devotion—are disregarded because they would demand the ego's relinquishment, which the demoniac character refuses.
Religious performance for social approval, charity for tax benefits or reputation, or spiritual practice as identity signaling—these are the modern equivalents. The test of authentic practice is whether it diminishes ego or feeds it. Genuine sadhana makes you quieter, more humble, more compassionate—not louder, more special, or more convinced of your own superiority.