एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे |
कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वानेवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे || 32||
evaṁ bahu-vidhā yajñā vitatā brahmaṇo mukhe
karma-jān viddhi tān sarvān evaṁ jñātvā vimokṣhyase
evam—thus; bahu-vidhāḥ—various kinds of; yajñāḥ—sacrifices; vitatāḥ—have been described; brahmaṇaḥ—of the Vedas; mukhe—through the mouth; karma-jān—originating from works; viddhi—know; tān—them; sarvān—all; evam—thus; jñātvā—having known; vimokṣhyase—you shall be liberated
Translation:
Thus various forms of sacrifice are spread out in the Vedas; know them all to be born of action; thus knowing you shall be liberated.
Commentary:
Not only those types of yajna mentioned before but many more are elaborately described in the Vedas which have originated from the supreme Brahman.
Born of action: These sacrifices are all different modes of action. Speech is action, thought is action, work done with the body is action, the operation of the senses is action. So, action well-planned and executed with resolution is the cause of yajna. Individual effort is essential for the performance of Yajna. Inaction leads to nothing. Spirituality is indeed a practical science and not an empty talk. So the seekers should use each one of their faculties, physical and mental, for the purpose of performing these sacrifices. Such determined action alone can yield the highest fruit of liberation. The Lord exhorts all mankind to take to a life of action, perform yajna, purify the mind, and attain Brahman. In fact, the despondency of Arjuna was a cowardly renunciation of action which he thought was a state of jnana. The Lord explains that such spurious and sentimental inaction is a sign of ignorance, and on the other side, one should act fearlessly and selflessly, so that the path may be opened for spiritual Knowledge in due course. When man comes to understand that all yajnas are modes of action, then he is liberated.
Question: Where are the yajnas described?
Answer: In the Vedas.
Question: How are they performed?
Answer: By action.
Question: When man knows this, what will he attain?
Answer: Liberation.
Question: What are the various forms of Yajna mentioned so far?
Answer:
| Yajna | Verse |
|---|---|
| 1. Daiva Yajna | 25 |
| 2. Brahma Yajna | 25 |
| 3. Sense-control | 26 |
| 4. Rejection of sense objects | 26 |
| 5. Mind control | 27 |
| 6. Dravya yajna | 28 |
| 7. Tapo yajna | 28 |
| 8. Yoga yajna | 28 |
| 9. Svadhyana Yajna | 28 |
| 10. Jnana Yajna | 28 |
| 11. Pranayama Yajna | 29 |
| 12. Niyatahara Yajna | 30 |
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 4 🔻 (42 Verses)
