Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 25

English Translation

Other yogis undertake sacrifice to gods alone, Others offer the Self, as a sacrifice by the Self itself, in the fire of Brahman.

Detailed Commentary

Explanation – 'Daivamevaapare Yajnam Yoginah Paryupasate' – In the previous verse, the Lord described the sadhaka (seeker) who performs the yajna (sacrifice) of perceiving Brahman everywhere. Here, by the word 'apare' (others), the Lord describes those sadhakas who perform different kinds of yajnas. The word 'yoginah' here refers to those nishkama (desireless) sadhakas who perform actions for the sake of Yajna. Not considering all actions and substances as one's own, but rather seeing them solely as belonging to the Lord and for the Lord, is 'Daivayajna,' i.e., the yajna of dedication to God (Bhagavadarpaṇa). The Lord is the God of even the devas (celestial beings), therefore, dedicating everything to Him is called 'Daivayajna.' To properly perform Daivayajna is to consider all actions and substances as entirely belonging to the Lord, without any attachment (asakti), possessiveness (mamata), or desire (kamana) towards them. 'Brahmaagnau Apare Yajnam Yajnenaivopajuhvati' – The word 'apare' (others) is used to describe a second type of Yajna, different from the Daivayajna mentioned in the first part of this verse. It is due to the identification (tadatmya) of the conscious (chetan) with the inert (jada) that it is called Jivatma (individual soul). To become completely detached (vimukha) from the inert (jada) through discrimination (viveka) and contemplation (vichara), and to become absorbed (leena) in the Paramatma (Supreme Self), is called Yajna. Being absorbed (leena) means not retaining any independent existence distinct from the Paramatma Tattva (Principle of the Supreme Self).