Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 11 (BG 17.11) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

17.11 अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिः by men desiring no fruit? यज्ञः sacrifice? विधिदृष्टः as enjoined by the ordinance? यः which? इज्यते is offered? यष्टव्यम् ought to be offered? एव only? इति thus? मनः the mind? समाधाय having fixed? सः that? सात्त्विकः Sattvic or pure.Commentary When a sacrifice is done with all due Sattvic rites? faith and devotion? without the least taint of desire for reward? with the mind fixed on the sacrifice only? for its own sake (for the,sake of discharging the duty only)? then it is said to be pure in its nature. Here the sacrifice is done in a disinterested spirit or with an attitude of desirelessness (Nishkamya Bhava) as an auxiliary to the attainment of the knowledge of the Self. Such selfless and desireless actions purify the mind and prepare the aspirant for the reception of divine light or knowledge of the Self. The Sattvic nature of a man forces him to do such selfless and desireless sacrifices. He does not care even for his own emancipation. He performs them with the firm belief that they ought to be done. He does them with the firm resolve that sacrifice is a duty.Yajna here is not limited to the ceremonial sacrifice. It is used in a broad sense. Any unselfish action done without attachment? without agency or egoism and without expectation of reward? as an offering unto the Lord? is a Yajna or sacrifice.

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

In this section, it is shown how in the actions of human beings, both the beauty and ugliness of their nature become evident. Those of sattvic nature who are free from desire for fruit perform their sacrificial duties always without attachment to results and with selfless intention. The fruits of action are obtained only in the future, and therefore to concern oneself with them in the present moment is a sign of lack of discernment, for it weakens one's capacities. According to the ordinances of scripture, the Vedas classify actions into four categories: (1) Kamya karma—actions performed with desire, motivated by personal gain; (2) Prohibited actions; (3) Eternal duties; and (4) Occasional duties—actions to be performed under specific circumstances. Of these, the first two types of actions should be renounced, while the remaining actions should be fulfilled. The eternal and occasional duties together are called prescribed duties. This is the ordinance of scripture. Those of tamasic nature utterly disregard the scriptural ordinances, but those of sattvic nature honor them. It is my duty—virtuous persons always perform their actions solely with the spirit of duty. Therefore, they never concern themselves with the fruits. In this way, they do not allow their energies to be wasted uselessly. They remain established in their inherent peace. The sattvic person finds joy in the fact that he is able to perform actions beneficial to the welfare of society. Such actions alone are called sattvic.