Verse 16.17 : Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga "Divine & Demonic Natures"

Krishna continues to expose the hypocrisy of the demoniac. Performing sacrifices without following scriptural injunctions (avidhi-pūrvakam) was considered a serious transgression, as it corrupted the sacred alignment of rituals.

They are self-conceited (ātma-sambhāvitāḥ), obstinate (stabdhāḥ), and filled with the pride and madness of wealth. They perform nominal sacrifices out of vanity (dambhena), completely ignoring scriptural rules. Because they believe they know better than the ancient sages, they refuse to submit to any authority or guidance, making their rituals empty theater.

This verse describes the psychological state of close-mindedness and obstinacy. In cognitive therapy, this is seen as cognitive rigidity—the inability to update one's beliefs in the face of new evidence or wise counsel. In organizations, this manifests as toxic leadership, where leaders reject feedback and create empty compliance systems purely for show, ultimately leading to systemic failure.