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श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप। सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते।।4.33।।

śhreyān dravya-mayād yajñāj jñāna-yajñaḥ parantapa sarvaṁ karmākhilaṁ pārtha jñāne parisamāpyate

Sanskrit Chant Recitation
Chapter 4, Verse 33
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Scripture Translation Room

Sanskrit to English Translation

Translator:
Superior is wisdom-sacrifice to the sacrifice with objects, O Parantapa (scorcher of the foes). All actions in their entirety, O Arjuna, culminate in knowledge.

A Reading - Rantideb

Why: the sacrifice of knowledge is superior to sacrifice performed with material objects, since all action culminates in knowledge, ranking inner understanding above external ritual.

In life: material generosity matters, but understanding why you're doing something tends to sustain the practice longer than the material act alone.

Teaching: pair whatever concrete practice you're doing with genuine understanding of its purpose, that combination lasts, the action alone without understanding tends to fade.

śhreyānsuperior
dravya-mayātof material possessions
yajñātthan the sacrifice
jñāna-yajñaḥsacrifice performed in knowledge
parantapasubduer of enemies, Arjun
sarvamall
karmaworks
akhilamall
pārthaArjun, the son of Pritha
jñānein knowledge
parisamāpyateculminate

Deep Classical Commentary (Bhashya)

Author:
4.33 श्रेयान् superior? द्रव्यमयात् with objects? यज्ञात् than sacrifice? ज्ञानयज्ञः knowledgesacrifice? परन्तप O Parantapa? सर्वम् all? कर्म action? अखिलम् in its entirely? पार्थ O Partha? ज्ञाने in knowledge? परिसमाप्यते is culminated.Commentary Sacrifices with material objects cause material effects and bring the sacrificer to this world for the enjoyment of the fruits? while wisdomsacrifice leads to Moksha. Therefore wisdomsacrifice is superior to the sacrifice performed with material objects. Just as rivers join the ocean? so do all actions join knowledge? i.e.? they culminate in knowledge. All actions purify the heart and lead to the dawn of knowledge of the Self.All actions that are performed as offerings unto the Lord with their fruits are contained in the knowledge of Brahman. (Cf.IX.15X.25XVIII.70)