Verse 4.28
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे। स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतयः संशितव्रताः।।
Transliteration (IAST)
dravya-yajñās tapo-yajñā yoga-yajñās tathāpare svādhyāya-jñāna-yajñāś ca yatayaḥ saṁśita-vratāḥ
Word-by-Word Meanings
dravya-yajñāḥ-sacrifice of material possessions
tapo-yajñāḥ-sacrifice through austerity
yoga-yajñāḥ-sacrifice through yoga practice
svādhyāya-study of scriptures
jñāna-yajñāḥ-sacrifice through knowledge
saṁśita-vratāḥ-of strict vows
Translation
Having accepted strict vows, some become enlightened by sacrificing their possessions, and others by performing severe austerities, by practicing the yoga of eightfold mysticism, or by studying the Vedas to advance in transcendental knowledge.
Commentary
Krishna catalogs five types of sacrifice: material charity (dravya-yajña), austerity (tapo-yajña), yogic practice (yoga-yajña), scriptural study (svādhyāya-yajña), and pursuit of knowledge (jñāna-yajña). This comprehensive list shows that any disciplined spiritual practice qualifies as sacrifice.
Themes
yogakarmajnana