Thank you very much brahma jijnasa ji. References from BG were very helpful.
Namaste Anirudh
Any kind of religious act enjoined in the scriptures will reap the full reward only if performed with proper meditation and knowledge, an renunciation from sensuality.
We learn about that from the Manu-smriti 2.97 and 100:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu/manu02.htm
97. Neither (the study of) the Vedas, nor liberality, nor sacrifices, nor any (self-imposed) restraint, nor austerities, ever procure the attainment (of rewards) to a man whose heart is contaminated (by sensuality).
100. If he keeps all the (ten) organs as well as the mind in subjection, he may gain all his aims
See also Manu-smriti 6.80-82:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu/manu06.htm
80. When by the disposition (of his heart) he becomes indifferent to all objects, he obtains eternal happiness both in this world and after death.
81. He who has in this manner gradually given up all attachments and is freed from all the pairs (of opposites), reposes in Brahman alone.
82. All that has been declared (above) depends on meditation; for he who is not proficient in the knowledge of that which refers to the Soul reaps not the full reward of the performance of rites.
See what Manu says on renunciation from sensuality.
In 2.97 he says that whatever a man do (the study of the Vedas, liberality, sacrifices, restraint, austerities) if he is addicted to sensuality he will not procure the attainment of rewards.
Further in verse 2.100 he repeated this very clearly: "If he keeps all the (ten) organs as well as the mind in subjection, he may gain all his aims".
The same he repeated in 6.80 "When by the disposition (of his heart) he becomes indifferent to all objects ...", and 6.81 "He who has in this manner gradually given up all attachments ...".
Subjugation of the mind and theh ten organs (senses), to become indifferent to all objects (to not find delight in them), and to give up all attachments to mundane matters, all thisj makes something that we call "renunciation", ie the renunciation from sensuality, or you can call it renunciation from this world.
Pay special attention to verse 6.82: A man will reap the full reward of the performance of rites (any rite or religious act) only if he properly meditates while performing the rite, ie only if he makes the rite with the proper state of mind, and if he is proficient in the knowledge of that which refers to the Soul.
All this means that a person who is not properly mentally concentrated on the rite, who is still attached to sense enjoyment (sensuality), and who does not know science of the soul very well, will not reap the full reward of the performance of rites (any rite or religious act)!
Here's another example from the Bhagavad gita 6.45:
"And when the yogi engages himself with sincere endeavor in making further progress, being washed of all contaminations, then ultimately, achieving perfection after many, many births of practice, he attains the supreme goal."
Some yogi may think, "I've studied the Vedas, mastered yoga, but still have not achieved perfection, how so?" The Lord is giving the answer. Progress is gradual and the fruit will ripen gradually and will come when the time comes: "achieving perfection after many, many births of practice, he attains the supreme goal."
regards
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