tyājyaṁ doṣha-vad ity eke karma prāhur manīṣhiṇaḥ
yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma na tyājyam iti chāpare
tyājyam — should be given up;
doṣha-vat — as evil;
iti — thus;
eke — some;
karma — actions;
prāhuḥ — declare;
manīṣhiṇaḥ — the learned;
yajña — sacrifice;
dāna — charity;
tapaḥ — penance;
karma — acts;
na — never;
tyājyam — should be abandoned;
iti — thus;
cha — and;
apare — others
This verse from the Bhagavad Gita highlights a disagreement among wise people about what actions should be given up or continued. On one side, some believe that all actions that bring personal rewards or benefits should be abandoned. They argue that focusing on personal gain leads to attachment and suffering, and that true peace comes from letting go of desires and rewards.
On the other side, there are also wise individuals who say that certain actions are important and should not be given up. These include sacrifices, charity, and acts of self-discipline. Sacrifices often refer to rituals where offerings are made, charity means helping others or giving to those in need, and penance involves practices that require self-control or sacrifice for spiritual growth.
An example to illustrate: imagine someone who often donates to charities. This act is seen as very good and is encouraged. In contrast, if someone chooses to skip helping others because they want to completely avoid any kind of action that might bring them recognition or reward, those wise people would say that by avoiding these good deeds, they are missing the point.
Further, the verse touches on discussions around practices outlined in Vedic texts, like animal sacrifices, which can be controversial. Some scholars or wise people argue that sacrificing animals is wrong and should be avoided altogether. They feel that taking a life is not justifiable, regardless of the intention. On the other hand, some texts suggest that such sacrifices can lead to a higher purpose, like giving the animal a better life in a future birth. This demonstrates differing beliefs: some see the sacrifice as necessary and part of a spiritual ritual, while others view it as inherently wrong.
Overall, this verse emphasizes that while some people advocate for an approach of total renunciation (giving up all result-oriented actions), others suggest that certain beneficial actions, like sacrifice, charity, and penance, should continue because they lead to greater goodness and spiritual growth. The Lord, in these teachings, aims to clarify these differing opinions on what is right and should be done.