यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः ।
भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात् ॥
भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात् ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
यज्ञशेष योग का अनुभव करनेवाले श्रेष्ठ मनुष्य सम्पूर्ण पापोंसे मुक्त हो जाते हैं । परन्तु जो केवल अपने लिये ही पकाते अर्थात् सब कर्म करते हैं, वे पापीलोग तो पापका ही भक्षण करते हैं ॥
English
Those who eat the leftovers of sacrifice are freed from all faults. Those who cook only for themselves eat only wrongdoing.
What this verse means
People who take only what remains after offering their work for the larger order are cleansed. People who act only for themselves end up consuming their own wrongdoing.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna is frozen and Krishna is rebuilding the meaning of action. After explaining sacrifice and mutual support, Krishna says that the noble live on what is left after offering first; self-centered action only deepens impurity.
Why this verse still matters
You finish dinner and notice you grabbed the best piece before anyone else. That tiny reflex is the same one that makes larger acts feel hollow.
The takeaway
Generosity purifies effort; selfishness poisons it.
Word-by-word translation
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः (eating what remains after sacrifice) / सन्तः (the good, the noble) / मुच्यन्ते (are freed) / सर्वकिल्बिषैः (from all faults) / भुञ्जते (they eat/enjoy) / ते (they) / तु (but) / अघं (wrongdoing) / पापाः (the sinful) / ये (those who) / पचन्ति (cook) / आत्मकारणात् (for their own sake)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3: Karma Yoga — The Yoga of Action, which contains 43 verses.
Explore related themes: yajna (32 verses)