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Chapter 4
Link:—Having heard the description of sacrifice, a striver has a curiosity to know which one of the sacrifices is superior to the others. The Lard, answers the question, in the next verse.
sreyandravyamayadyajnajjnanayajnah parantapa
sarvam karmakhilam partha Jnane parisamapyate
Knowledge, as a sacrifice (yajna) is superior to any material sacrifice, 0 harasser of the foes (Arjuna). Ali actions and objects in their entirety, culminate in knowledge (jnana). 33
Comment:-
greyandravyamayadyajnayjnanayajnah parantapap:— Sacrifices, which require material objects and actions, are called Dravyamaya. The suffix Maya with the term Dravya', denotes large quantity. As with the preponderance of earth the earthenpot is called ita so with the preponderance of material the sacrifice is called material sacrifice. Knowledge as a sacrifice, is superior to any material sacrifice, because in knowledge-sacrifice, there is no need for material objects and actions. The Lord, declares that all sacrifices are born of action (4/32). But here He declares, that all actions culminate in knowledge i.e., knowledge as a sacrifice, is not born of actions but is born of discrimination. Therefore, knowledge, as a sacrifice, mentioned here, does not stand for knowledge, as sacrifice (described in 4/28). It stands for the process of acquiring knowledge from teachers, who are well-versed in the scriptures, as will be described in the thirty-fourth verse. Material sacrifice, described here, stands for the twelve forms of sacrifice already described. Having performed material sacrifice, the knowledge-sacrifice, is offered. If we consider minutely, we come to know that knowledge-sacrifice is also born of actions, but in knowledge-sacrifice, there is predominance of discrimination.
Sarvam karmakhilam partha jnane parisamapyatep:—The terms sarvam' and akhilam, both are synonyms. Therefore, the expression pSarvam karma' should mean, all actions, while the word akhilamp would stand for, all material objects. So long as, a man performs actions for himself, he has affinity for them, and consequently his mind remains impure. But, when he does not perform them for himself, his mind is purified.
The mind is tainted by three kinds of defects—sins, volatility of mind, and ignorance. When a striver performs actions, for the welfare of others without any selfish motive, his first two defects i.e., sins and volatility of mind, come to an end. In order to get rid of the third defect, having renounced actions, he goes to his preceptor, so that he may impart knowledge, to him. At that time, he does not aim at actions and material objects, but his aim is God-realization. This is known, as culmination of all actions and material objects, in knowledge i.e., God-realization through the attainment of true knowledge.
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