Whatever is sacrificed, given, or performed, whatever austerity is practised without faith — it is called "Asat," O Partha. It is of no benefit, neither in this life nor after death.

The chapter closes with its definitive opposite: aśraddhayā (without faith) — the single quality whose absence makes all else meaningless. Whatever is sacrificed, whatever is given, whatever austerity is practised — if it is done without genuine faith, it is asat (non-being, unreality, falsehood). It produces no benefit: na pretya (not after death) and na iha (not even in this life). The closure is perfect: the chapter began by asking about the fate of those who worship with faith but without scriptural guidance. The final answer is that faith is the non-negotiable element. Forms can vary, methods can differ — but without faith, the animating principle is absent, and all the outer activity produces asat — unreality, non-being, spiritual void.