अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते ।
यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः ॥
यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
यज्ञ करना कर्तव्य है इस तरह मनको समाधान करके फलेच्छारहित मनुष्योंद्वारा जो शास्त्रविधिसे नियत यज्ञ किया जाता है, वह सात्त्विक है ॥
English
A sacrifice performed according to scriptural rule by people without desire for reward, with the mind settled on “it must be done,” is sattvic.
What this verse means
A sacrifice is pure when it is done because it should be done, not for reward.
Context & commentary
Krishna is still teaching Arjuna on the battlefield, where hesitation has frozen action. After describing lesser kinds of food and conduct, he now defines the pure offering: an act done by rule, with no craving for reward, because duty itself is enough.
Why this verse still matters
You send the apology text even though no one may soften. You do it because it is the right thing, not because you can control the reply.
The takeaway
There is relief in doing what is right without bargaining for a payoff.
Word-by-word translation
अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिः (by those without desire for reward) / यज्ञः (sacrifice) / विधिदृष्टः (seen by rule) / यः (which) / इज्यते (is performed) / यष्टव्यम् (must be offered) / एव (indeed) / इति (thus) / मनः (mind) / समाधाय (having settled) / सः (that) / सात्त्विकः (sattvic)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga — The Three Kinds of Faith, which contains 28 verses.
Explore related themes: yajna (32 verses), sattva (26 verses), nishkama (14 verses)