Bhagavad Gita · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga — Liberation through Renunciation
Chapter 18, Verse 5
"Bhagavad Gita 18.5" — meaning and explanation.
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् | यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम्
yajñadānatapaḥkarma na tyājyaṃ kāryameva tat . yajño dānaṃ tapaścaiva pāvanāni manīṣiṇām
Meaning
18.5 Acts of sacrifice, gift and austerity should not be abandoned, but should be performed; sacrifice, gift and also austerity are the purifiers of the wise.
।।18.5।। यज्ञ, दान और तपरूप कर्म त्याज्य नहीं है, किन्तु वह नि:सन्देह कर्तव्य है; यज्ञ, दान और तप ये मनीषियों (साधकों) को पवित्र करने वाले हैं।।
Explanation
18.5 यज्ञदानतपःकर्म acts of sacrifice? gift and austerity? न not? त्याज्यम् should be abandoned? कार्यम् should be performed? एव indeed? तत् that? यज्ञः sacrifice? दानम् gift? तपः austerity? च and? एव indeed? पावनानि purifiers? मनीषिणाम् of 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.
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 18.5 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, verse 5, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 18.5
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 18.5 mean?
18.5 Acts of sacrifice, gift and austerity should not be abandoned, but should be performed; sacrifice, gift and also austerity are the purifiers of the wise.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 18.5 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, verse 5, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.