Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 3.13 यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः
श्लोक 3.13
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः ।
भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात् ॥
yajñaśiṣṭāśinaḥ santo mucyante sarvakilbiṣaiḥ |
bhuñjate te tvaghaṃ pāpā ye pacantyātmakāraṇāt ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
यज्ञ से बचा हुआ अन्न खाने वाले सज्जन सब पापों से मुक्त हो जाते हैं, परंतु जो केवल अपने लिए ही भोजन पकाते हैं, वे पापी तो पाप ही खाते हैं।
Meaning in English
Good people who eat what remains after sacrifice are freed from all faults. But the sinful who cook only for themselves are truly eating sin.
Bhagavad Gita 3.13 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः | yajña-śiṣṭa-āśinaḥ | those who eat the remnants of sacrifice |
| सन्तः | santaḥ | the good |
| मुच्यन्ते | mucyante | are freed |
| सर्वकिल्बिषैः | sarva-kilbiṣaiḥ | from all sins |
| भुञ्जते | bhuñjate | eat |
| ते | te | they |
| तु | tu | but |
| अघम् | agham | sin |
| पापाः | pāpāḥ | the sinful |
| ये | ye | who |
| पचन्ति | pacanti | cook |
| आत्मकारणात् | ātma-kāraṇāt | for their own sake |
Explanation
Good people who eat what remains after the sacrifice are freed from all faults. But the wicked who cook only for themselves eat sin itself.
This verse is the basis of the custom of offering food before eating and treating the meal as prasada. Commentators link it to the householder's five daily offerings, which atone for the unavoidable harm done in cooking and living. Ramanuja and others stress that food prepared for oneself alone feeds selfishness. Gandhi took it as a call to share and serve first. The point is about attitude: eating becomes an act of worship when it follows giving.
भावार्थ
यज्ञ से बचे हुए अन्न को खाने वाले श्रेष्ठ पुरुष सब पापों से मुक्त हो जाते हैं, परन्तु जो पापी केवल अपने लिए ही पकाते हैं, वे तो पाप ही खाते हैं।
Living it today
Offer your meal, share a portion, or simply give thanks before eating. It turns an everyday need into a moment of gratitude.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.13?
Good people who eat what remains after the sacrifice are freed from all faults. But the wicked who cook only for themselves eat sin itself.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.13?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.13 in daily life?
Offer your meal, share a portion, or simply give thanks before eating. It turns an everyday need into a moment of gratitude.
Reflected on verse 3.13?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.