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Chapter 3 · Karma-yoga · 43 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Duty & actionChapter 3 · Karma-yoga
3.123.14

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.13

The cycle of sacrifice and duty

Karma · Action

यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषै ।

भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात् ॥ १३ ॥

yajña-śiṣṭāśinaḥ santo

mucyante sarva-kilbiṣaiḥ

bhuñjate te tv aghaṁ pāpā

ye pacanty ātma-kāraṇāt

Translation

The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food which is offered first for sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Offer Food to the Lord

  1. 1

    Devotees who eat food first offered in sacrifice are freed from all sins. Those who cook for their own enjoyment eat only sin.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that devotees love Kṛṣṇa and offer everything to Him before accepting it. Their devotional service protects them from sinful contamination.

  3. 3

    Before eating, offer your food to Kṛṣṇa rather than preparing it only for your own enjoyment.

Key points from the purport

Devotees get freed from all sins, because they eat food which is first offered in sacrifice and thus they experience real peace and happiness

Those who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin

a

Definition of ‘Santas’ — Devotees who are always in love with lord

Ref. Brahma Samhita 5.38 – “Premanjana…”

b

Different yajnas performed by devotees — different varieties of devotional service as sravanam, kirtanam etc.

c

Benefit — Freedom from “sinful reaction”

d

“Sankirtana-yajna” — “Easy process to happiness and peace” for all people because without yajna, one is thief and sinful, and thus no happiness

e

How devotees are freed from sinful reactions — because they eat food first offered in sacrifice

f

Fate of those who prepare food for their own self — They are thieves and sinful – Thus there is no happiness

14 – 3.15

Connected verses · 1

Texts 3.12 & 3.13

Arjuna, however, could think, “I don’t need yajnas, demigods and opulent necessities of life. Nor must I perform yajnas to live. I will go to the forest and live by begging. I won’t take from the demigods, so I won’t be sinful by not offering yajnas to them. Not only won’t I be a thief, but I won’t take part in this ghastly, sinful warfare.” Krishna replies in the next two verses. Krishna in Text 3.14 especially warns Arjuna that even in the forest, all food is nurtured by rain coming from the demigods. Therefore he cannot avoid his obligation to perform the sacrifices born of his prescribed duty.

Further reading

From Karma Kanda To Karma-Yoga

If one cannot perform detached, dutiful work; it is better to follow Karma-kanda section of Vedas

But do it for Krishna’s pleasure (All the Vedic duties which prescribe sacrifices, etc.)

Chapter 3, section III: From Karma Kanda To Karma-Yoga
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yajña-śiṣṭaof food taken after performance of yajña
  2. aśinaḥeaters
  3. santaḥthe devotees
  4. mucyanteget relief
  5. sarvaall kinds of
  6. kilbiṣaiḥfrom sins
  7. bhuñjateenjoy
  8. tethey
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

  • Sacrifice / offering

    Food received in a spirit of sacrifice is discussed.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 3.13 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 3 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 3.9Work as sacrificeBG 4.24Transcendental understanding of actionBG 3.10The cycle of sacrifice and dutyBG 3.11The cycle of sacrifice and duty
Live this todayHuman Life Has a Higher PurposeA practice from BG 3.16, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction