यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो यान्ति ब्रह्म सनातनम् ।
नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतो़ऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम ॥
नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतो़ऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे कुरुवंशियोंमें श्रेष्ठ अर्जुन यज्ञसे बचे हुए अमृतका अनुभव करनेवाले सनातन परब्रह्म परमात्माको प्राप्त होते हैं । यज्ञ न करनेवाले मनुष्यके लिये यह मनुष्यलोक भी सुखदायक नहीं है, फिर परलोक कैसे सुखदायक होगा ॥
English
Those who partake of the nectar left over from sacrifice attain the eternal supreme reality. This world is not for the one who does not perform sacrifice; how then the next world?
What this verse means
People who live by sacrifice and accept its blessed remainder move toward the eternal supreme reality. Without sacrifice, even this life loses its value, so the next one cannot be better.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna is frozen while Krishna explains how action can become sacred. After describing many forms of sacrifice, Krishna says that those who receive the blessed remainder of sacrifice move toward the eternal supreme reality, while a life without sacrifice cannot even sustain this world.
Why this verse still matters
You keep taking from a relationship, a team, or a family without giving anything back. Eventually the whole thing feels lifeless. The verse says participation is what keeps life alive.
The takeaway
There is relief in giving before taking. Life feels fuller when you live as a participant, not a consumer.
Word-by-word translation
यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो (those who eat the nectar left over from sacrifice) / यान्ति (go) / ब्रह्म (to the supreme reality) / सनातनम् (eternal) । / न (not) / अयम् (this) / लोकः (world) / अस्ति (is) / अयज्ञस्य (for one without sacrifice) / कुतः (how) / अन्यः (the other) / कुरुसत्तम (O best among the Kurus)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga — Knowledge and Renunciation of Action, which contains 42 verses.
Explore related themes: karma yoga (55 verses), yajna (32 verses)