Gita Sāra 15 - आत्मसंयमयोगाग्नौ जुह्वति ज्ञानदीपिते

In the fourth chapter, Shri Krishna delves into the concept of Yajna. He asserts that any action driven by the desire to please the Supreme Being qualifies as yajna. While the conventional fire-offering Yajna might not align with the path of Sanyāsi, the Yajna expounded in the Gīta is a universal responsibility. When we perceive our bodies as instruments devoted to serving the Supreme Being, embracing a detached perspective, the act of receiving nourishment and fulfilling basic needs transforms into a reverent Yajna. In such moments, the mind is uncluttered by distractions and distortions. This mindset is crucial, especially when engaging in activities like consuming food and carrying out bodily functions.

The Chāndogya Upanishad eloquently portrays life as a Yajna. This depicts a life wholly committed to serving the Supreme Being as the epitome of Yajna. The true spirit of Yajna is realized wherever there's a blend of detachment and unwavering commitment to the Divine. Central to this Yajna of life is the selfless giving, emblematically termed "Dakshina." Absent this generous spirit, the Yajna remains unfulfilled. The Upanishad earmarks virtues such as truth, compassion, and bravery as "Dakshina." It is these intrinsic values that steer our life's Yajna towards its zenith of purpose and achievement. In a symbolic gesture, the Upanishad likens death to the "Avabhrata snāna," in the continuum of life's Yajna. Jnānis unwavering in their commitment, holds no apprehension of death. They regard it as a divine culmination and greet it with profound respect.

In traditional Yajna rituals, offerings of Ghrata and Charu were ceremoniously presented to various Devatās through the sacred Agni. These offerings were aimed at seeking rewards such as heavenly blessings and material prosperity. While conventional Yajna included the sacrifice of animals, the Gīta introduces a profound twist – it prompts us to relinquish the inner "animals" of ego and possessiveness. Individuals driven by insatiable desires and entangled in the web of material pursuits often act on impulse, resembling creatures devoid of rational discernment. These individuals are ceaselessly driven to seize whatever catches their attention, driven by an insatiable desire for acquisition. Their fixation on constant accumulation leads them down paths riddled with unethical and discordant actions, all in pursuit of amassing riches, authority, and dominion. This disposition is observable ubiquitously, and it is precisely what the Gita labels as the perspective of Yajna.

Those ensnared by desires, blinded by ignorance, inadvertently replicate the behavior of animals. The Gīta vividly portrays this parallel, describing such individuals as akin to animals. These are the inner tendencies and attachments that must be offered up in the Yajna of life. The message is to transcend the base instincts of selfishness and instead engage in actions driven by higher awareness and spiritual purpose.

From the first light of day until the setting sun, our actions should mirror the devotion offered to the Supreme Being. We must avoid isolating our daily interactions from the realm of Dharma. Instead, let's infuse the ordinary with the extraordinary by integrating devotion to the Supreme Being into our mundane affairs. When we embrace a life rooted in genuine devotion and guide our worldly pursuits with ethical considerations and the greater welfare, these actions become a living embodiment of Dharma. The Gīta beautifully underscores the simplicity and pragmatism of Dharma, illustrating how virtuous acts have the power to sanctify our lives and synchronize them with loftier ideals.

श्रीमध्वेशकृष्णार्पणमस्तु

To be continued.