aśraddhayā hutaṁ dattaṁ tapas taptaṁ kṛtaṁ ca yat asad ity ucyate pārtha na ca tat pretya no iha
"Whatever is offered, given, or done, and whatever austerity is practiced without faith—it is called 'asat,' O Partha, and is of no avail either here or hereafter."
What This Means:
Any sacrifice, charity, or austerity done without faith is called 'asat' (unreal/false). It brings no benefit in this life or the next. Faith is essential for spiritual efficacy.
Going Deeper:
'Aśraddhayā'—without faith. 'Hutam'—offered (in sacrifice). 'Dattam'—given (charity). 'Tapas taptam'—austerity practiced. 'Kṛtam'—done (any action). All these without faith are 'asat'—unreal, ineffective. 'Na pretya na iha'—neither after death nor here. The chapter's conclusion: faith transforms action; without it, spiritual practice is empty.
How To Apply This:
Faith is the secret ingredient. Going through motions without heart produces nothing. Whatever you do spiritually, bring genuine faith—even a little. Better small practice with faith than large practice without.
Key Sanskrit Terms: