SrI: SrImathE SatakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImath varavaramunayE nama:
SlOkam – Original
sathkAra mAna pUjArtham thapO dhambhEna chaiva yath |
kriyathE thadiha prOktham rAjasam chalam adhruvam ||
word-by-word meaning
sathkAra mAna pUjArtham – to gain respect, praise and worship
dhambEna cha Eva – and for show
yath thapa: kriyathE – the penance which is practiced
thath – that penance
iha – in this world
rAjasam prOktham – is said to be caused by rajO guNam (passion);
(such penance is)
chalam – unstable
adhruvam – impermanent
Simple Translation
The penance which is practiced to gain respect, praise and worship and is done for show, is said to be caused by rajO guNam (passion) in this world; (such penance is) unstable and impermanent.
Rendering based on ALkoNdavilli gOvindhAchArya swAmy’s English translation of gIthA bhAshyam
‘That is here called Rājasa-Tapas which is practiced for the sake of gaining regard, praise and worship, and for display; (it is) unstable and unenduring.’
Satkāra = Regard from others (in the mind).
Māna = Praise, or verbal adulation (by others).
Pūja = Worship such as bowing, prostrating etc., with the body.
Whatever Tapas is practiced, actuated with motives for fruit, for securing regard etc., from others, and to parade before others, is said to be Rājasa.
Since this kind of Tapas constitutes the means for such (transitory) fruit such as Svarga etc, it is chalam = unstable, because it is ever fraught with the fear of falling down therefrom; and it is adhruvam = not lasting, or declining.
archived in http://githa.koyil.org
pramEyam (goal) – http://koyil.org
pramANam (scriptures) – http://granthams.koyil.org
pramAthA (preceptors) – http://acharyas.koyil.org
SrIvaishNava education/kids portal – http://pillai.koyil.org