Path of Selfless Service
Verse 3.13
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः। भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात्।।3.13।।
yajña-śhiṣhṭāśhinaḥ santo muchyante sarva-kilbiṣhaiḥ bhuñjate te tvaghaṁ pāpā ye pachantyātma-kāraṇāt
Word Meanings
yajña-śhiṣhṭa—of remnants of food offered in sacrifice; aśhinaḥ—eaters; santaḥ—saintly persons; muchyante—are released; sarva—all kinds of; kilbiṣhaiḥ—from sins; bhuñjate—enjoy; te—they; tu—but; agham—sins; pāpāḥ—sinners; ye—who; pachanti—cook (food); ātma-kāraṇāt—for their own sake
Translation · English
The righteous who eat the remnants of the sacrifice are freed from all sins; but those sinful ones who cook food solely for their own sake indeed consume sin.
Deep Meaning · English
In this verse, Krishna elevates the mundane act of eating to a sacred ritual of cosmic participation. The concept of 'yajna' here transcends formal Vedic ritual; it signifies the spirit of selfless surrender (Nishkama Karma). By viewing one's sustenance as the 'remnants' of a divine offering, the seeker shifts their identity from an isolated consumer to a steward of the Divine. This is the antidote to the ego's possessive hunger, which seeks to hoard resources solely for the nourishment of a separate, narrow self.
True freedom from the karmic cycle is found when one stops consuming for the self and begins consuming the grace of the Divine, thereby transforming every sustenance into a sacred communion.
Connected Verses
Highlights that when one offers every action, including the act of consuming, to the Lord, they become liberated from the fruits of karma.
It expands the theme of sacrifice by framing every action—including eating and working—as a movement of Brahman, the Absolute.
Establishes the foundation that work becomes a bondage unless it is performed specifically as an offering or sacrifice.
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