Thinking “all this is for the supreme reality,” seekers of freedom perform many kinds of sacrifice, austerity, and giving without wanting the result.
— Krishna
❋
Bhagavad Gita · 17.25
Hindi · हिन्दी
तत् नामसे कहे जानेवाले परमात्माके लिये ही सब कुछ है ऐसा मानकर मुक्ति चाहनेवाले मनुष्योंद्वारा फलकी इच्छासे रहित होकर अनेक प्रकारकी यज्ञ और तपरूप क्रियाएँ तथा दानरूप क्रियाएँ की जाती हैं ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
तत्thatइतिthusअनभिसन्धायwithout aiming atफलम्fruit, resultयज्ञsacrificeतपःausterityक्रियाःactionsदान-क्रियाःacts of givingचandविविधाःvariousक्रियन्तेare doneमोक्ष-काङ्क्षिby those desiring freedom
Read literallythat · thus · without aiming at · fruit, result · sacrifice · austerity · actions · acts of giving · and · various · are done · by those desiring freedom
Understanding the verse
✦
It shifts action from self-benefit to offering, so the mind stops bargaining with life.
People seeking freedom do sacred actions, self-discipline, and giving without chasing personal reward. They treat the work itself as an offering.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna is frozen before battle, and Krishna keeps building the inner discipline needed to act rightly. Here he explains that seekers of freedom perform sacrifice, austerity, and giving without clinging to personal gain.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You send the apology, make the donation, or do the hard right thing — and no one thanks you. The act still stands complete without applause.
The takeaway
“You can act with devotion and still let go of what comes back.”
It shifts action from self-benefit to offering, so the mind stops bargaining with life.
What this verse means
People seeking freedom do sacred actions, self-discipline, and giving without chasing personal reward. They treat the work itself as an offering.
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna is frozen before battle, and Krishna keeps building the inner discipline needed to act rightly. Here he explains that seekers of freedom perform sacrifice, austerity, and giving without clinging to personal gain.
Why this verse still matters
You send the apology, make the donation, or do the hard right thing — and no one thanks you. The act still stands complete without applause.
“You can act with devotion and still let go of what comes back.”
Explore related themes: moksha (34 verses), yajna (32 verses), tapas (22 verses)