Gita 18.3
Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिणः | यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे ||३||
tyājyaṁ doṣavad ity eke karma prāhur manīṣiṇaḥ | yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma na tyājyam iti cāpare ||3||
In essence: The debate continues: Some wise ones say all action is faulty and must be abandoned; others insist that sacrifice, charity, and austerity should never be given up. Krishna will resolve this ancient controversy.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "Why would wise people say all action is faulty?"
Guru: "Consider: every action involves some degree of violence—even breathing destroys microorganisms. Every action reinforces the sense of 'I am the doer,' perpetuating ego. Every action creates karmic traces. From this perspective, the cleanest exit is complete cessation. This is not an unreasonable position—it recognizes that action, however refined, involves some compromise."
Sadhak: "But then how does one survive without any action?"
Guru: "Exactly the practical problem! The radical view requires progressively reducing action to absolute minimum—eventually only involuntary functions, then perhaps even those cease in final liberation. Meanwhile, the yogi is sustained by accumulated merit and perhaps others' support. It is a valid path but difficult and rare."
Sadhak: "The other view emphasizes yajna, dana, tapas specifically—why these three?"
Guru: "They represent the three fundamental orientations of dharmic action. Yajna connects us to the cosmic order and divine beings. Dana develops generosity and reduces selfishness. Tapas purifies body and mind, developing willpower. Together they address worship, society, and self. To abandon all three would leave one spiritually impoverished."
Sadhak: "So Krishna will choose one side?"
Guru: "He will transcend both by showing the common error—identifying action with bondage. The fault is not in action but in attachment. When action is performed as offering, without claiming results, it purifies rather than binds. Krishna's resolution will satisfy both concerns: action continues (for those who value yajna-dana-tapas) but bondage ceases (for those who recognize action's dangers)."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Reflect on both positions before the day begins. Part of you wants to retreat, minimize, simplify (the 'action-is-faulty' impulse). Part of you wants to serve, give, grow (the 'yajna-dana-tapas' impulse). Hold both with respect. Today, practice the synthesis: engage fully but without attachment to results.
Notice which view you gravitate toward in different situations. Faced with difficulty, do you want to abandon the task (action-is-faulty)? Faced with opportunity, do you leap in perhaps too attached (yajna-dana-tapas without wisdom)? The healthy synthesis acts when appropriate and releases the fruits. Observe your tendencies.
Review your three categories of action today: What sacrifice (offering of time, energy, skill) did you make? What charity (giving without expectation) did you practice? What austerity (disciplining impulses) did you maintain? These need not be grand. A moment of patience is tapas. A kind word is dana. Dedicated work is yajna.