Bhagavad Gita 16.17
आत्मसम्भाविताः स्तब्धा धनमानमदान्विताः । यजन्ते नामयज्ञैस्ते दम्भेनाविधिपूर्वकम् ॥
ātma-sambhāvitāḥ stabdhā dhana-māna-madānvitāḥ yajante nāma-yajñais te dambhenāvidhi-pūrvakam
Translation
Self-conceited, stiff with pride, intoxicated by wealth and arrogance, they perform sacrifices in name only, with hypocrisy, not according to the prescribed rule.
Reflection
Pick one ritual you perform regularly and test whether it still feels offered or has become exhibition.
Read this verse in its chapter: Chapter Sixteen
Self-conceited, stiff with their own importance, intoxicated by wealth and pride, they perform yajna in name only. Nama-yajnaih dambhena avidhi-purvakam. The form is kept. The intention is gone. The prescribed rule, avidhi, is set aside. The yajna becomes a stage for self-display, and the gods named in the mantras are demoted to props. Krishna locates here a peculiar danger of the asuri turn. It can clothe itself in tradition. It can perform every outer rite while emptying the inner content. The seeker is asked to notice the test: does the offering still feel offered, or has it become exhibition? Same gestures, two different ceremonies. One frees. The other entrenches.