Vers 17.1817.117.217.317.417.517.617.717.817.917.1017.1117.1217.1317.1417.1517.1617.1717.1817.1917.2017.2117.2217.2317.2417.2517.2617.2717.28

The austerity which is practised with the object of gaining good reception, honour and worship, and with hypocrisy, is here said to be Rajasic, unstable and transitory.

Austerity performed to gain respect, honour and reverence, or with hypocrisy, is called rajasic here; it is unsteady and does not last.

Austerity is rajasic when it is done to gain respect, honour and veneration, or simply as a show. Krishna adds that such austerity is unstable and impermanent. Because it depends on the approval of others, it rises and falls with their attention. The verse points to a familiar temptation of religious life: discipline can become a way of building a reputation. When that happens, the effort may be great but its results do not last.