Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 16: The Divine and the Demonic Natures
Bhagavad Gita 16.17
आत्मसम्भाविताः स्तब्धा धनमानमदान्विताः ।
यजन्ते नामयज्ञैस्ते दम्भेनाविधिपूर्वकम् ॥
ātmasambhāvitāḥ stabdhā dhanamānamadānvitāḥ | yajante nāmayajñaiste dambhenāvidhipūrvakam ||
Self-important, stubborn, and drunk with the pride of wealth, they perform sacrifices in name only, for show, with no regard for the proper way.
Modern context
They perform sacrifices in name only, for show, without the proper spirit. This is religious hypocrisy: going through the motions of worship to impress others or to feel important. The verse does not condemn ritual; it condemns ritual emptied of meaning. Any practice, done only for appearances, becomes hollow.