Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4 · Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 4.31 यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो यान्ति ब्रह्म सनातनम्
श्लोक 4.31
यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो यान्ति ब्रह्म सनातनम् ।
नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतोऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम ॥
yajñaśiṣṭāmṛtabhujo yānti brahma sanātanam |
nāyaṃ loko'styayajñasya kuto'nyaḥ kurusattama ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
यज्ञ से बचे हुए अमृत का सेवन करने वाले सनातन ब्रह्म को प्राप्त होते हैं। हे कुरुश्रेष्ठ! यज्ञ न करने वाले के लिए यह लोक भी सुखद नहीं, तो परलोक कैसे होगा?
Meaning in English
Those who partake of the nectar left over from sacrifice reach the eternal Brahman. Even this world is not for one who offers no sacrifice; how then the other, O best of the Kurus (Arjuna)?
Bhagavad Gita 4.31 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजः | yajña-śiṣṭa-amṛta-bhujaḥ | eating the nectar left over from sacrifice |
| यान्ति | yānti | go to |
| ब्रह्म | brahma | Brahman |
| सनातनम् | sanātanam | eternal |
| न | na | not |
| अयम् | ayam | this |
| लोकः | lokaḥ | world |
| अस्ति | asti | is |
| अयज्ञस्य | ayajñasya | for one who does not sacrifice |
| कुतः | kutaḥ | how then |
| अन्यः | anyaḥ | the other |
| कुरुसत्तम | kurusattama | O best of the Kurus |
Explanation
Those who partake of the nectar that remains after sacrifice reach the eternal Brahman. For one who offers no sacrifice at all, even this world is not truly theirs, O best of the Kurus. How then could the other world be theirs?
The verse echoes 3.13, where those who eat the remains of sacrifice are freed from fault. Shankara explains the nectar as food eaten after the sacrifice is complete, and says those who live this way, in due course, attain Brahman. Ramanuja reads it as sustaining the body with what remains after offering, while pursuing knowledge of the Self. The second line is a strong statement: a life with no offering, no giving back, fails even by worldly standards.
भावार्थ
यज्ञ से बचे हुए अमृत रूपी अन्न को खाने वाले सनातन ब्रह्म को प्राप्त होते हैं। हे कुरुश्रेष्ठ, जो यज्ञ नहीं करता, उसके लिए यह लोक भी सुखद नहीं, फिर परलोक कैसे होगा?
Living it today
Give first, then enjoy what remains. A life built only on taking does not satisfy, even on its own terms.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 4.31?
Those who partake of the nectar that remains after sacrifice reach the eternal Brahman. For one who offers no sacrifice at all, even this world is not truly theirs, O best of the Kurus. How then could the other world be theirs?
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.31?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 4 (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 4.31 in daily life?
Give first, then enjoy what remains. A life built only on taking does not satisfy, even on its own terms.
Reflected on verse 4.31?
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