Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 17 verse 12
Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga

The No-One-Watching Test · Honest with Yourself

अभिसन्धाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत् । इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम् ॥

abhisandhāya tu phalaṁ dambhārtham api caiva yat ijyate bharata-śreṣṭha taṁ yajñaṁ viddhi rājasam

Meaning

"But that sacrifice performed with an eye toward reward, or for the sake of show, O best of the Bharatas, know to be rajasic."

Explanation

It's worth being honest with yourself about which good deeds you'd still do if absolutely no one ever found out about them.

Today's Life Lesson

Ask yourself today: would I still do this good act if no one ever found out about it?

More verses to reflect on