The Yoga of the Division between the Divine and the Non-Divine

Krishna describes how demonic nature manifests in religious practice: 'ātma-sambhāvitāḥ'—self-conceited, filled with self-praise. They think highly of themselves, believe they're special. 'Stabdhāḥ'—stubborn, obstinate, unwilling to change or learn. 'Dhana-māna-madānvitāḥ'—filled with pride and intoxication of wealth. Their wealth intoxicates them, makes them arrogant, makes them think they're superior. 'Yajante nāma-yajñais te'—they perform sacrifices in name only. Not genuine sacrifice, not for God or others, but just for show. 'Dambhenāvidhi-pūrvakam'—with hypocrisy, contrary to scriptural ordinances. They perform religious acts ostentatiously, to show off, without following proper procedure, without genuine devotion. This is the demonic use of religion: completely self-serving, completely ego-driven, completely hypocritical. They're not practicing for God—they're practicing for themselves, for recognition, for status. This is the ultimate hypocrisy: using religion to feed ego, performing acts of devotion without devotion, following form without substance.