aphalākāṅkṣhibhir yajño vidhi-driṣhṭo ya ijyate
yaṣhṭavyam eveti manaḥ samādhāya sa sāttvikaḥ
aphala-ākāṅkṣhibhiḥ — without expectation of any reward;
yajñaḥ — sacrifice;
vidhi-driṣhṭaḥ — that is in accordance with the scriptural injunctions;
yaḥ — which;
ijyate — is performed;
yaṣhṭavyam-eva-iti — ought to be offered;
manaḥ — mind;
samādhāya — with conviction;
saḥ — that;
sāttvikaḥ — of the nature of goodness
This verse talks about the right way to perform sacrifices or rituals. When we think about sacrifices, many people usually do them because they want something in return, like good luck, money, or some favor from a god or spirit. This text says that the best way to perform these rituals is to do them just because it is the right thing to do and out of respect, rather than for personal gain.
Let’s break it down more:
- Sacrifices, in this context, refer to any worship or offering we might do, like lighting a lamp in a temple, saying prayers, or giving food to the needy.
- The verse suggests that these acts should be done according to the rules set out in sacred texts or scriptures, which guide how we should worship or make offerings.
- Most importantly, it states that when we do these rituals, we should not expect anything in return. For example, when you offer flowers in a temple, do it with the feeling of giving respect, and not because you want something in your life to change or because you think you will get something good out of it.
In daily life, it’s common to see people performing prayers in the hope of making a wish come true. However, this verse encourages a different mindset. Instead, we should approach such rituals with a sense of duty. Just like how we might go to a family gathering or help a friend not because we have to gain something but because it’s the right thing to do, worship should be seen in the same way.
Imagine going to a temple. Instead of thinking, 'I’ll pray for a better job' or 'I’ll light this candle to attract good fortune', try to think of it as taking a moment to honor a higher power and show gratitude. This changes the action from being self-serving to something that uplifts the spirit.
The verse also points out that many people feel that going to a place of worship is pointless if they don’t get something in return, but this is a misunderstanding. True worship should be about respect and duty. It doesn't matter whether or not you receive blessings; what matters is the intention behind the action. This perspective helps guide one's life toward goodness and fulfillment.