yajña-śhiṣhṭāmṛita-bhujo yānti brahma sanātanam
nāyaṁ loko ’styayajñasya kuto ’nyaḥ kuru-sattama
yajña-śhiṣhṭa amṛita-bhujaḥ — they partake of the nectarean remnants of sacrifice;
yānti — go;
brahma — the Absolute Truth;
sanātanam — eternal;
na — never;
ayam — this;
lokaḥ — planet;
asti — is;
ayajñasya — for one who performs no sacrifice;
kutaḥ — how;
anyaḥ — other (world);
kuru-sat-tama — best of the Kurus, Arjun
This verse emphasizes the importance of sacrifices or yajnas in achieving happiness in life. The idea is that every person, regardless of their situation, often does not fully understand their reality. If we think about it, the challenges and struggles we face in life are often the result of our past actions or mistakes. These consequences keep us trapped in a cycle of difficulties.
Human life is unique because it gives us an opportunity to break free from these cycles of suffering. The ancient texts known as the Vedas provide guidance on how to liberate ourselves from this trap. They suggest various paths, such as living morally, managing our needs wisely, enjoying life responsibly, and ultimately finding peace from all troubles.
For instance, performing yajna, which means making offerings or sacrifices, can help solve our problems. When we engage in acts of kindness and share what we have, we often receive support in return. This mutual support ensures that our basic needs like food and shelter are met—even if there are many people. When our physical needs are addressed, we can then focus on fulfilling our emotional and mental desires in a healthy way, like through family life or relationships.
As we continue down this path, we move closer to liberation, which means freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death, and suffering. The ultimate goal is to connect with a higher spiritual reality or the Supreme, and this is where true perfection lies. Performing yajna helps us elevate our lives and potentially gain entry into a state of eternal happiness.
In simple terms, if someone ignores these principles of yajna and the guidance from Vedic teachings, they shouldn't expect to feel truly happy in this life or the next. While there are pleasures to enjoy on this planet and even in higher realms, nothing compares to the ultimate joy found in being fully aware and connected to the Supreme through a life dedicated to spirituality. Living a life focused on Krishna consciousness provides the best answers to all the struggles we face in the material world.