Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 5

English Translation

The practice of sacrifice, charity and austerity is not to be abandoned; it is surely to be undertaken. Sacrifice, charity and austerity are verily the purifiers of the wise.

Detailed Commentary

18.5. Commentary -- Sacrifice (Yajna), charity (Daan), and austerity (Tapa) should not be abandoned; this is essential. Here, the Lord has affirmed the view of others (18.3). The Lord does not refute anyone's view with harsh words. With reverence, the Lord adopts the true essence of another's perspective and incorporates His own view into it. Here, the Lord has stated that actions in the form of Yajna, Daan, and Tapa should not be forsaken. Along with this, the Lord presented His own view, saying that not only should they not be forsaken, but they must be performed – *kāryam eva tat*. The reason is that these three actions – Yajna, Daan, and Tapa – are purifiers for the wise (manishis). Yajna, Daan, Tapa are sacred. Here, the word 'chaiva' signifies that all obligatory actions such as daily (nitya), occasional (naimittika), livelihood-related, and body-related duties should also definitely be performed, as they too purify the wise (manishis). Those who, endowed with equanimity, renounce the fruits born of action are the wise (manishis) – *karmajam buddhiyuktā hi phalaṁ tyaktvā manīṣiṇaḥ* (Gita 2.51). These actions like Yajna, etc., purify such manishis. However, those who are not truly wise (manishis), whose senses are not subdued, and who perform Yajna, Daan, and other such actions merely for their own pleasure, for them, these actions do not purify; rather, they become binding. In the first half (purvārdha) of this verse, the compound word 'Yajna-Dāna-Tapaḥ-Karma' is used, while in the latter half (uttarārdha), 'Yajna, Daan, Tapa' appear separately. The implication is that through the compound word, the Lord conveys that Yajna, Daan, and Tapa should not be abandoned, but rather must be performed. And through the separate words, it is conveyed that each one of these actions, individually, purifies the wise (manishi).