📿 Shloka Collection

Dravyayajnas Tapoyajnah

Gita 4.28 Bhagavad Gita
📖 Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4 — Gyana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे ।
स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतयः संशितव्रताः ॥
Dravya-yajnas tapo-yajna yoga-yajnas tathapare
Svadhyaya-jnana-yajnash cha yatayah samshita-vratah
द्रव्ययज्ञाः
those who sacrifice through material giving
तपोयज्ञाः
those who sacrifice through austerity
योगयज्ञाः
those who sacrifice through yogic practice
तथा
likewise
अपरे
some others
स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाः
those who sacrifice through scriptural study and knowledge
and
यतयः
disciplined seekers
संशितव्रताः
of firm vows

Four more forms of yajna, each suited to a different kind of seeker. Those with wealth offer through charitable giving. Those with physical endurance practice austerity. Those inclined toward discipline pursue yogic sadhana. Those drawn to learning make their study and pursuit of knowledge the offering. All are firm in their commitment.

The underlying message is generous: sadhana is not one-size-fits-all. A farmer offers through the sweat of his labor. A teacher offers through the sharing of knowledge. A generous person offers through giving. Each contributes according to their nature and capacity — and each contribution is a valid yajna.

This is the fourth shloka in the yajna catalogue (4.25-4.30). Material, physical, yogic, and intellectual paths are all placed under the umbrella of yajna.

The next shloka (4.29) focuses specifically on pranayama — the regulation of breath — as a form of yajna.

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