Bhagavad Gita · Verse 3.13
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः । भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात् ॥१३॥
yajñaśiṣṭāśinaḥ santo mucyante sarvakilbiṣaiḥ | bhuñjate te tvaghaṃ pāpā ye pacantyātmakāraṇāt ||13||
Complete Shloka Translation
The good who eat what remains after sacrifice are freed from all wrongdoing. Those who cook only for themselves eat the burden of wrongdoing.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः | yajñaśiṣṭāśinaḥ | those eating sacrificial remainder |
| आत्मकारणात् | ātmakāraṇāt | for oneself alone |
| सन्तो | santo | [term] in context of The good who eat what remains ... |
| मुच्यन्ते | mucyante | [term] in context of The good who eat what remains ... |
| सर्वकिल्बिषैः | sarvakilbiṣaiḥ | [term] in context of The good who eat what remains ... |
| भुञ्जते | bhuñjate | [term] in context of The good who eat what remains ... |
| ते | te | [term] in context of The good who eat what remains ... |
| त्वघं | tvaghaṃ | [term] in context of The good who eat what remains ... |
| पापा | pāpā | [term] in context of The good who eat what remains ... |
| ये | ye | [term] in context of The good who eat what remains ... |
| पचन्त्यात्मकारणात् | pacantyātmakāraṇāt | [term] in context of The good who eat what remains ... |
| १३ | pacantyātmakāraṇāt | [term] in context of The good who eat what remains ... |
those eating sacrificial remainder
for oneself alone
[term] in context of The good who eat what remains ...
[term] in context of The good who eat what remains ...
[term] in context of The good who eat what remains ...
[term] in context of The good who eat what remains ...
[term] in context of The good who eat what remains ...
[term] in context of The good who eat what remains ...
[term] in context of The good who eat what remains ...
[term] in context of The good who eat what remains ...
[term] in context of The good who eat what remains ...
[term] in context of The good who eat what remains ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Sacrificial remainder has a specific religious meaning. The criticism of self-directed consumption should not become a blanket judgment on someone preparing an ordinary meal alone.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The contrast concerns participation in offering rather than exclusive self-interest."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How can consumption include a conscious act of sharing or offering?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse in your daily career and work life: discharge your responsibilities wholeheartedly as an act of service and social welfare, freeing your mind from selfish anxiety and burnout.