Yajna

Saha-yajnah prajah srshtva purovacha prajapati, anena prasavishyadhvam esha vo 'stv ishta-kama-dhuk

In the beginning of creation, the Lord of beings created mankind together with sacrifice, saying: By this sacrifice you shall prosper; let it be the fulfiller of all your desires.

Gata-sangasya muktasya jnanavasthita-cetasah, yajnayacaratah karma samagram praviliyate

All the karmic reactions of a person who is without attachment, who is liberated, whose mind is established in knowledge, and who performs action as sacrifice — entirely dissolve.

Daivam evapare yajnam yoginah paryupasate, brahmagnavapare yajnam yajnenaivopajuhvati

Some yogis worship the demigods perfectly as sacrifice; others offer sacrifice into the fire of Brahman through sacrifice itself. There are many valid forms of spiritual offering.

Shrotradinin driyany anye samyamagni shu juhvati, shabdadin vishayan anya indriyagni shu juhvati

Some offer the senses such as hearing into the fires of restraint; others offer the sense objects such as sound into the fires of the senses. Sacrifice takes the form of both sense restraint and sense engagement offered with awareness.

Dravya-yajnas tapo-yajna yoga-yajnas tathapare, svadhyaya-jnana-yajnas ca yatayah samsita-vratah

Some offer material possessions as sacrifice; others offer austerity or yoga practice; still others who have taken strict vows offer the study of scriptures and knowledge as their sacrifice.

Apare niyataharah prana-yajnesu juhvati, sarve 'py ete yajna-vido yajna-kshapita-kalmashah

Others, who regulate their eating, offer their life force into the life force as sacrifice. All of these knowers of sacrifice have their impurities cleansed away by sacrifice.

Yajna-shishtamrita-bhujo yanti brahma sanatanam, nayam loko 'sty ayajnasya kuto 'nyah kuru-sattama

Those who eat the remnants of sacrifice — the nectar left over — attain the eternal Brahman. This world is not for the one who does not sacrifice; how then the next world, O best of the Kurus?

Aham kratur aham yajnah svadhahám aham aushadham, mantro 'ham aham evajyam aham agnir aham hutam

I am the ritual, I am the sacrifice, I am the offering to the ancestors, I am the healing herb, I am the mantra, I am the clarified butter, I am the fire, and I am the act of offering. Krishna declares Himself to be the substance, the means, and the goal of all spiritual practice.

tyajyam dosa-vad ity eke karma prahur manisinah yajna-dana-tapah-karma na tyajyam iti capare

Some thoughtful people hold that all action is tainted with fault and should be abandoned, while others argue that acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity should never be given up. Krishna presents both views before offering his definitive teaching.

etany api tu karmani sangam tyaktva phalani ca kartavyaniti me partha niscitam matam uttamam

Krishna declares with certainty that acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity must be performed, but with detachment from attachment and from their fruits. This is his definitive and highest opinion on the matter of duty and renunciation.