Gita 17.5-6: Why Arbitrary Worship Tortures the God Within

Minutes to read.

The Danger of Arbitrary Worship: Gita 17.5–6

In these verses, the Giver of the Gita issues a stern warning to those who perform severe penances and austerities that are not authorized by the holy scriptures. He identifies these practices as "demonic" and explains the harm they cause to the soul and the Divine.

I. Defining "Arbitrary" Penance (Verse 17.5)

The Verse: "Those who undergo severe austerities not enjoined by the scriptures, motivated by hypocrisy and ego, impelled by the force of desire and attachment..."

The Tattvadarshi Insight: Many people believe that the more they suffer, the more "holy" they become. They might stand on one leg for years, bury themselves in the ground, or starve themselves excessively.

• Unscriptural (Ashastra-vihitam): If the Vedas or the Gita do not command a practice, it is considered arbitrary.
• The Root Cause: These acts are usually done for show (hypocrisy), to feel superior (ego), or to gain a specific worldly miracle (desire).

II. Torturing the "Indwelling God" (Verse 17.6)

The Verse:

"Those fools, who torture the elements of the body and also Me, who dwells within the body as the soul—know them to be of demonic resolves."

Who is being tortured?

1. The Physical Elements: The body is a temple made of five elements. Forcing it into unnatural suffering is an act of violence, not devotion.
2. The "Me" (The Soul/God): This is the most vital part of your site's evidence. The speaker (Kaal) says he resides in the body as the "Master of Sacrifice" (Adhiyajna), but the Supreme God (Purna Brahm) also resides in the "lotus of the heart" alongside the soul.
3. Demonic Resolve: By causing pain to the body, the seeker is actually distressing the Soul and the Supreme God residing within. The Gita labels such people as Asuras (demons), even if they think they are being "religious."

III. Why This is a "Vital" Concept

This section acts as a filter for the seeker. It teaches that God is not pleased by your pain; He is pleased by your obedience to Scriptural Truth.

• Arbitrary Practice = No Benefit: As established in Gita 16.23, those who abandon scriptural injunctions and act according to their own whims attain neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme goal.
• The Role of the Body: The body is a vehicle to reach Satlok. If you damage the vehicle through "hatha yoga" or unscriptural fasting, you cannot complete the journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does this mean fasting is wrong?

Fasting that is balanced and done for health or as a simple discipline is fine. However, extreme fasting that weakens the body to the point of "torture" is condemned in Verse 6. Fasting as a means of attaining god is wrong. Gita 6.16 also shuns fasting.

2. Who is the "Me" that the speaker refers to in Verse 6?

While the speaker (Kaal) resides in the body of every living being to record their deeds, he points out that any suffering caused to the body also affects the Supreme God (KavirDev) who is the sustainer of the soul.

3. How do I know if my worship is "scriptural"?

You must compare your practices with the injunctions of the Bhagavad Gita and the Vedas. If your ritual (like idol worship, ghost worship, or self-torture) is not mentioned in these books, it falls under the "demonic resolve" mentioned in these verses.