Unscriptural Penances Condemned: Bhagavad Gita 17.5 & 17.6 Explained

Bhagavad Gita 17.5 to 17.6: Unscriptural Austerities and Torturing the Divine

In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verses 5 and 6, the speaker issues a stern condemnation against severe, unscriptural penances—such as extreme fasting and bodily mortification.

While folk practices (Lokved) often glorify harsh physical suffering as supreme piety, these two verses reveal that performing austerities not sanctioned by the scriptures (A-shastra-vihitam) is driven by hypocrisy and ego. Far from pleasing God, such practices actually torment the physical body and disrespect the Supreme Divine residing within.

I. The Original Sanskrit and Direct Translation

Bhagavad Gita 17.5:

अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः । दम्भाहङ्कारसंयुक्ताः कामरागबलान्विताः ॥ ५ ॥

• A-sastra-vihitam ghoram tapyante ye tapo janah: Those people who perform terrible penances not enjoined by the scriptures;
• Dambhahankara-samyuktah kama-raga-balanvitah: driven by hypocrisy, egotism, desire, attachment, and pride;

Authentic Translation of Gita 17.5: "Those people who perform severe, terrible penances not sanctioned by the scriptures, driven by hypocrisy, pride, desire, attachment, and physical ego..."

Bhagavad Gita 17.6:

कर्शयन्तः शरीरस्थं भूतग्राममचेतसः । मां चैवान्तःशरीरस्थं तान्विद्ध्यासुरनिश्चयान् ॥ ६ ॥

• Karsayanta sarira-stham bhuta-gramam achetasah: Senselessly torturing the elements constituting the physical body;
• Mam chaivanth-sarira-stham tan viddhy asura-nischayan: and also tormenting Me, who resides within the body—know them to be of demonic resolve.

Authentic Translation of Gita 17.6: "Senselessly torturing the group of elements within the physical body, as well as tormenting Me residing within that body—know such ignorant individuals to be of demonic resolve."

II. Deep Purport: Why Unscriptural Fasting and Torture are Demonic

                 [ UNSCRIPTURAL PENANCES (A-shastra-vihitam) ]
                                       │
            ┌──────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────┐
            ▼                                                     ▼
 [ DRIVING FORCES ]                                     [ RESULTS ]
 • Hypocrisy & Ostentation (Dambha)                      • Torments physical elements/body
 • Egotism & Pride (Ahankara)                            • Torments the Divine within
 • Lust, Passion, & Force (Kama-Raga)                    • Declared to be Demonic (*Asura*)

1. Rejection of Unscriptural Austerities (A-shastra-vihitam)

In Verse 17.5, the speaker targets ritualistic practices that lack scriptural authority (A-shastra-vihitam). Many self-styled ascetics or misinformed devotees starve their bodies, stand in extreme cold, or inflict physical harm on themselves to gain public praise or spiritual pride. The Gita exposes these practices as products of hypocrisy (Dambha) and arrogance (Ahankara).

2. Fasting and Mortification as Physical and Spiritual Abuse

In Verse 17.6, the speaker explains why harsh penances—such as complete starvation—are harmful:

• Torturing the Physical Temple: The physical frame is made of the five elements (Bhuta-gramam). Senselessly starving or burning the body damages this vessel without purifying the mind.
• Tormenting the Divine Residence (Mam Chaiva Antah-sarira-stham): Because the divine power resides within every living entity, inflicting arbitrary torture upon the body is equivalent to tormenting the Divine presence within.
• The Judgment of Demonic Mindset (Asura-nischayan): People who engage in unscriptural self-mortification are explicitly classified as having an demonic resolve (Asura-nischayan), because true devotion requires scriptural balance, not self-inflicted harm.

III. Summary: Key Takeaways from Gita 17.5 and 17.6

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What does "A-shastra-vihitam" mean in Bhagavad Gita 17.5?

It means "not sanctioned or enjoined by the scriptures." It refers to severe penances, arbitrary fasts, or body-mortification rituals that have no basis in true scriptural wisdom (Tattvagyan).

2. Why does Gita 17.6 say that harsh fasting torments God?

Because the Divine power resides within the body of every living being (Antah-sarira-stham). Senselessly starving or harming the physical body torments the elements and disrespects the Divine presence dwelling within.

3. How are people who perform harsh unscriptural penances classified in Gita 17.6?

The speaker explicitly classifies them as having a demonic resolve (Asura-nischayan) because their actions are driven by ego, pride, and ignorance rather than genuine scriptural direction.