Chapter 18, Verse 5 (Bhagavad Gita 18.5)
Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyās Yog – Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender
Sanskrit Shloka
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म 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
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
Acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity should not be abandoned, but must be performed; for sacrifice, charity, and austerity are indeed the purifiers of the wise.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound instruction, Lord Krishna emphasizes that the duties of sacrifice, charity, and austerity are essential pillars for every spiritual seeker. Rather than renouncing these actions, Shri Krishna urges Arjuna to perform them as offerings to the Divine, as they act as a fire that cleanses the heart of ego and attachments. By dedicating these acts to the Supreme Lord, one transforms mundane activities into sacred rituals that lead to inner purity. Such discipline is not a burden, but a path toward liberation, enabling the soul to rise above material conditioning. Through this divine guidance, Shri Krishna reveals that one attains the highest wisdom by integrating service and self-control into their daily life.