Topic

Sacrifice

8 verses from the Bhagavad Gita on sacrifice. Explore teachings across 3 chapters.

All Verses

Yajna-arthat karmano 'nyatra loko 'yam karma-bandhanah, tad-artham karma kaunteya mukta-sangah samachara

Work must be done as a sacrifice to the Supreme; otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your duties for His satisfaction, and you will be free from bondage.

  • Dedicate all work to the divine
  • Work without dedication creates bondage
  • Freedom through sacred action
Yajna-shishtashinah santo mucyante sarva-kilbishaih, bhunjate te tv agham papa ye pacanty atma-karanat

The spiritually-minded, who eat food that is first offered in sacrifice, are released from all kinds of sin. Others, who cook food for their own enjoyment, verily eat only sin.

  • Share before consuming
  • Gratitude in all actions
  • Selfish consumption binds us
Yajna-shishtashinah santo mucyante sarva-kilbishaih, bhunjate te tv agham papa ye pacanty atma-karanat

The spiritually-minded, who eat food that is first offered in sacrifice, are released from all kinds of sin. Others, who cook food for their own enjoyment, verily eat only sin.

  • Share before consuming
  • Gratitude in all actions
  • Selfish consumption binds us
Yajña-shishtashinah santo mucyante sarva-kilbishaih, bhunjate te tv agham papa ye pacanty atma-karanat

The spiritually-minded, who eat food that is first offered in sacrifice, are released from all sins. Others, who cook food for their own enjoyment, verily eat only sin.

  • Share before you consume
  • Selfless offering purifies
  • Gratitude in eating
Evam pravartitam chakram nanuvartayatiha yah, aghayur indriyaramo mogham partha sa jivati

My dear Arjuna, one who does not follow the cycle of sacrifice lives in vain, who is sensual by nature, lives uselessly.

  • Live in harmony with cosmic order
  • Selfish living is meaningless
  • Participate in the cycle of giving
Aphala-kāṅkṣhibhir yajño vidhi-diṣhṭo ya ijyate, yaṣhṭavyam eveti manaḥ samādhāya sa sāttvikaḥ

Sacrifice that is performed as a duty, without desire for reward, according to scriptural injunctions, with a concentrated mind—that is of the nature of goodness.

  • Sattvic sacrifice is dutiful
  • No expectation of reward
  • Follow scriptures with concentration