Chapter 3 Verse 13
Karm Yog
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः। भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात्।।3.13।।
yajña-śhiṣhṭāśhinaḥ santo muchyante sarva-kilbiṣhaiḥ bhuñjate te tvaghaṁ pāpā ye pachantyātma-kāraṇāt
Word Meanings
| yajña-śhiṣhṭa | of remnants of food offered in sacrifice |
| aśhinaḥ | eaters |
| santaḥ | saintly persons |
| muchyante | are released |
| sarva | all kinds of |
| kilbiṣhaiḥ | from sins |
| bhuñjate | enjoy |
| te | they |
| tu | but |
| agham | sins |
| pāpāḥ | sinners |
| ye | who |
| pachanti | cook (food) |
| ātma-kāraṇāt | for their own sake |
Translation
The righteous who eat the remnants of the sacrifice are freed from all sins; but those sinful ones who cook food solely for their own sake indeed consume sin.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse teaches that actions done with a spirit of offering and sharing free a person from the weight of guilt. When food and work are offered to a higher purpose — to community, to the divine, or to duty — the doer becomes calmer and purer inside.
By contrast, actions done only for personal gain bind the doer to selfishness and bring negative results. The moral quality of an action depends largely on the intention behind it: selfless action cleanses, selfish action causes inner suffering.
Life Application
- When you cook or earn, mentally dedicate a portion to others or offer it as service; this small habit softens selfish motives.
- Share meals or resources regularly; giving turns routine acts into spiritual practice.
- Before acting, check your motive: is this for my ego or for the good of others? Choose the latter.
Reflection Question
Did I act today for myself or for the benefit of others, and how did that feel?