Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.28 द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे
श्लोक 4.28
द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे ।
स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतयः संशितव्रताः ॥
dravyayajñāstapoyajñā yogayajñāstathāpare |
svādhyāyajñānayajñāśca yatayaḥ saṃśitavratāḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
कुछ लोग धन-संपत्ति से यज्ञ करते हैं, कुछ तप से, कुछ योग-साधना से, और कठोर व्रत वाले कुछ यत्नशील लोग स्वाध्याय और ज्ञान-रूपी यज्ञ करते हैं।
Meaning in English
Some offer material wealth as sacrifice, some austerity, some the practice of yoga; and others, disciplined and of firm vows, offer the study of scripture and knowledge.
Bhagavad Gita 4.28 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| द्रव्ययज्ञाः | dravya-yajñāḥ | those who sacrifice with material things |
| तपोयज्ञाः | tapo-yajñāḥ | those who sacrifice through austerity |
| योगयज्ञाः | yoga-yajñāḥ | those who sacrifice through yoga |
| तथा | tathā | likewise |
| अपरे | apare | others |
| स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाः | svādhyāya-jñāna-yajñāḥ | those who sacrifice through study and knowledge |
| च | ca | and |
| यतयः | yatayaḥ | striving ascetics |
| संशितव्रताः | saṃśita-vratāḥ | of firm vows |
Explanation
Some make their offering with material wealth, some through austerity, some through the practice of yoga. Others, ascetics of firm vows, offer the study of scripture and the pursuit of knowledge as their sacrifice. Each sincere effort counts as a yajña.
This verse broadens the list again. Shankara explains dravya-yajña as giving wealth in charity and to holy purposes, tapo-yajña as disciplined austerity, yoga-yajña as practices such as breath control and withdrawal of the mind, and svādhyāya-jñāna-yajña as study of the Veda and understanding its meaning. Ramanuja reads it similarly. Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave and others drew on this passage to see service, study and charity as forms of worship open to everyone.
भावार्थ
कुछ लोग धन से यज्ञ करते हैं, कुछ तप से और कुछ योग से यज्ञ करते हैं, तथा कुछ दृढ़ व्रत वाले साधक स्वाध्याय और ज्ञान से यज्ञ करते हैं।
Living it today
Your gift may be money, effort, practice or learning. Offer whichever you have, and offer it sincerely.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.28?
Some make their offering with material wealth, some through austerity, some through the practice of yoga. Others, ascetics of firm vows, offer the study of scripture and the pursuit of knowledge as their sacrifice. Each sincere effort counts as a yajña.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.28?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.28 in daily life?
Your gift may be money, effort, practice or learning. Offer whichever you have, and offer it sincerely.
Reflected on verse 4.28?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.