Some sacrifice by offering their wealth, while others perform severe austerities. Some practice the eight-fold path of yoga, and others engage in studying the scriptures and cultivating knowledge, all while adhering to strict vows. Description Human beings differ in their natures, motivations, and activities. Shree Krishna explains to Arjun that sacrifices can take many forms, …
Some, guided by wisdom, sacrifice the activities of their senses and life energy into the fire of a disciplined mind. Description Some yogis follow the path of jñāna yog, using knowledge to withdraw their senses from the world. Unlike haṭha yogis who rely on brute will-power to control their senses, jñāna yogis use the power …
Others sacrifice their hearing and other senses in the fire of self-restraint. Meanwhile, some offer sound and other sensory objects as sacrifices into the fire of their senses. Description Fire transforms the nature of things consigned to it. In external Vedic rituals, fire physically consumes the offerings. In spiritual practice, fire symbolizes transformation. The fire …
Some yogis worship the celestial gods with material offerings, while others achieve perfect worship by offering the self as a sacrifice in the fire of the Supreme Truth. Description Sacrifice, or yajña, should be performed in divine consciousness as an offering to the Supreme Lord. However, people’s understanding varies, leading them to perform sacrifices differently …
For those who are fully immersed in God-consciousness, everything involved in the ritual is seen as an expression of the Divine: the offering itself is Brahman, the ladle used to make the offering is Brahman, the act of offering is Brahman, and the sacrificial fire is also Brahman. By perceiving everything as a manifestation of …
They are liberated from the bondage of material attachments, and their intellect is anchored in divine wisdom. By performing all actions as a sacrifice to God, they are freed from all karmic reactions. Description In this verse, Lord Krishna encapsulates the essence of the preceding five verses. When one dedicates all actions to God, it …
Satisfied with whatever comes naturally and free from jealousy, they transcend the dualities of life. Remaining balanced in both success and failure, they are not constrained by their actions, even while engaging in all sorts of activities. Description Just as a coin has two sides, so too did God create this world filled with dualities—there …
Free from expectations and the sense of ownership, with their mind and intellect fully controlled, they remain sinless even while performing actions through their body. Description Even according to worldly law, acts of violence that occur accidentally are not considered punishable offenses. For example, if someone is driving a car in the correct lane, at …
You must grasp the essence of all three—prescribed action, forbidden action, and inaction. The reality concerning these is profound and challenging to comprehend. Description Shree Krishna has delineated work into three distinct categories—action (karm), forbidden action (vikarm), and inaction (akarm). 1. Action (Karm): This encompasses auspicious deeds prescribed by the scriptures to regulate the senses …
The distinction between action and inaction is often blurred, even for the wise. Now, I will elucidate the secret of action, by understanding which, you can liberate yourself from material bondage. Description The principles of dharma cannot be discerned through mere mental speculation. Even the most intelligent individuals may find themselves perplexed by the apparent …
