Commentary

Commentary

Verses 5 and 6 form a single sentence in the original Sanskrit, describing a particular type of person whom Krishna condemns. These are people who invent their own austerities — not prescribed by any scripture — and practice them with great severity, driven not by genuine spiritual aspiration but by pride, ego, lust, and attachment.

The key word is ashaastra-vihitam — not enjoined by the shastras. The scriptures prescribe various forms of fasting, penance, and discipline for spiritual purification. But some people fabricate their own extreme practices for selfish reasons. For example, fasting for political purposes or undergoing severe physical mortification for public attention has no sanction in the Vedic literature.

Dambha-ahankara-samyuktaah — they are full of hypocrisy and false ego. Their austerities are not acts of humility before God but displays of their own supposed greatness. The word dambha specifically refers to outward shows of religiosity designed to impress others, while ahankara is the deep-seated identification with the false self that refuses to surrender to a higher authority.

Kaama-raaga-balaanvitaah — they are impelled by desire, attachment, and brute force. Their severe practices are not for purification but for gaining power over others or fulfilling material ambitions. Such people are classified as asuric (demoniac) in nature, as described in the previous chapter. The Bhagavad Gita consistently warns that any spiritual practice undertaken against the direction of scripture, driven by ego rather than devotion, leads to further bondage rather than liberation.