Talk:Tāmasic or the Lowest Grade of Bhakti
The motivating factor for this type of false devotion is evil.
"Bhakti which is motivated by a desire to hurt others, hypocrisy and jealousy (towards others) by one who sees Me as totally separate from him is the Tāmasic or the lowest type of Bhakti. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 3.29.8"
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna rejects these 'worshippers' and says that they do not even worship Him, truly speaking-
"Those who are evil doers, who are deluded, the lowest of human beings, whose wisdom has been destroyed by Mäyä and who follow the ways of Asuras, do not seek refuge in Me. Gita 7.15"
"Self-conceited, obstinate, filled with the pride and arrogance of wealth, they perform yajnas which are so only in name, with ostentation and without regard to Vedic rules. Gita 16.17
"Given over to egotism, power and pride, and also to lust and anger, these malicious ones despise Me, dwelling in the bodies of themselves and others. Gita 16.18"
An example of a lower grade of devotion can be seen in those who undertake intense austerities and perform rituals with the aim of pleasing a Deva, primarily to gain powers for personal purposes, such as - the powers to destroy his enemies.
In the Mahabharata, King Jayadratha tried to kidnap Draupadi as he was enamored of her beauty. The Pandavas foiled his attempt and punished him for his atrocious act. Thereafter. King Jayadratha went to a forest to meditate on Shiva. When Shiva, pleased with his devotion, asked him for a boon, Jayadratha asked for the Pashupata missile so that he could kill the Pändavas. But Shiva responded, "You cannot get that weapon from me because the Pandavas are protected by none other than Krishna. However, I will grant you the power to hold back the Pandavas in a war for one time only. But you will not be able to defeat Arjuna." Jayadratha was not completely satisfied with what he got, but he had no choice. Then, he returned to his kingdom.