Chapter 18, Verse 5
Part of 18: Mokṣha Sanyās Yog — मोक्षसंन्यासयोगयज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत्।यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम्॥
Transliteration
yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma na tyājyaṁ kāryam eva tat yajño dānaṁ tapaśh chaiva pāvanāni manīṣhiṇām
Meaning
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.
Word-by-word meaning
yajña — sacrificedāna — charitytapaḥ — penancekarma — actionsna — nevertyājyam — should be abandonedkāryam eva — must certainly be performedtat — thatyajñaḥ — sacrificedānam — charitytapaḥ — penancecha — andeva — indeedpāvanāni — purifyingmanīṣhiṇām — for the wise
Commentary
Acts of sacrifice, gift and austerity purify the hearts of those who have no desire for rewards. These actions are considered obligatory and ought to be performed. Actions that are skilfully performed lose their power to bind the soul and free it from earthly bondage. Now? O Arjuna? I will explain to thee that skilful way by which actions can destroye their own effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 5?▼
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.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?▼
This is verse 5 of Chapter 18 (Mokṣha Sanyās Yog — Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.