Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender
Verse 18.5
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत्।यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम्।।18.5।।
yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma na tyājyaṁ kāryam eva tat yajño dānaṁ tapaśh chaiva pāvanāni manīṣhiṇām
Word Meanings
yajña—sacrifice; dāna—charity; tapaḥ—penance; karma—actions; na—never; tyājyam—should be abandoned; kāryam eva—must certainly be performed; tat—that; yajñaḥ—sacrifice; dānam—charity; tapaḥ—penance; cha—and; eva—indeed; pāvanāni—purifying; manīṣhiṇām—for the wise
Translation · English
Acts of sacrifice, gift, and austerity should not be abandoned, but should be performed; for sacrifice, gift, and austerity are the purifiers of the wise.
Deep Meaning · English
In this verse, Lord Krishna addresses a critical misconception regarding the path of renunciation. As Arjuna grapples with his desire to retreat from duty to seek solitude, Krishna clarifies that the spiritual journey is not about the negation of action, but the purification of the heart through action. Sacrifice (yajna), charity (dana), and penance (tapas) are not merely social or religious duties; they are the fundamental instruments of internal alchemy. By performing these with the right attitude, the seeker systematically burns away the dross of ego and selfish attachment, preparing the consciousness for the reception of divine wisdom.
Spiritual progress is not achieved by abandoning the world, but by transforming our worldly actions into sacred offerings that purify the mind.
Connected Verses
Clarifies that while sacrifice, charity, and penance must be done, they must be devoid of attachment to the fruits.
Lists the cultivation of charity and self-control (tapas) as divine qualities belonging to those on the path to liberation.
Describes how one who is pure of heart and self-controlled perceives the Self in all beings through the practice of action.
Reinforces that work must be performed as a sacrifice (yajna) to avoid bondage to the material world.
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