1 Gita Sloka Every Day - Chapter 17 - Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 13

The entire content of this mail is from Shri V N Gopala Desikan's  Srimad Bhagavad Gita, published by Vishishtadvaita Research Centre, Chennai and The Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidbhavananda published by Ramakrishna Mission

The Three Kinds of Food 8-10

1 Gita Sloka  Every Day - Chapter 17 - Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga - Sloka 13

Vidhi hinam asrushta annam mantra hinam adakshinam I

Shraddha virahitam yagnam tamasam pari chakshate II sloka 13

विधि हीनं अस्रुष्ट अअन्नं मन्त्र हीनं अदक्षिणं I 

श्रद्धा विरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परि चक्षते II  1श्लोक 13

They declare the yagna to be tamasika which is contrary to the ordinances, in which no food is distributed, which is devoid of mantras, gifts and shraddha.

All good acts which are conducive to public welfare are emphatically enjoined in the sastras. Therefore they maybe all undertaken even without consulting the sastras. But whatever act is harmful, it is prohibited by the scriptures which are infallible guides. Therefore the sastras necessarily come in for guidance whenever a doubt arises about teh validity of an action. 

Beings depend on food for their existence.  Voluntary distribution of it is tehrefore a mark of consideration and regard for beings. Cherishing beings with food is a form of worship of the Almighty. 

Mantras are the external indications of the solemn determination and noble intents behind an action. An undertaking which is devoid of elevating ideas is more mechanical than human. 

Reverent gifts are to be made to those who participate in  a yagna with an attitude of service. Gifts are also to be made to other deserving people and to good causes.

Above all if a holy undertaking be devoid of shraddha, it is to be eschewed as vainglorious and demoniac. The tamasika type of people undertake yagnas full of these defects.

Austerity is a holy means for the human to emerge into the divine . Its characteristics are mentioned in the next few stanzas.