Chapter 17 Shloka 11

अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते।

यष्टव्यमेवेति मन: समाधाय स सात्त्विकः।।११।।

That being, who performs yagya in accordance with

scriptural decree and without any desire for its fruit

and with the conviction that this is

the form of worship that must be practised,

that one performs the sattvic yagya.

Chapter 17 Shloka 11

अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते।

यष्टव्यमेवेति मन: समाधाय स सात्त्विकः।।११।।

Bhagwan says:

That being, who performs yagya in accordance with scriptural decree and without any desire for its fruit and with the conviction that this is the form of worship that must be practised, that one performs the sattvic yagya.

Sattvic yagya is in conformity with scriptural methodology.

1. It is performed keeping in view the mode of conduct as prescribed in the Scriptures.

2. It is performed keeping in mind the code of duty as described in the Scriptures.

3. It is performed after having witnessed the flow of the qualities of the Supreme in life.

Such yagya is performed after having known and understood the method prescribed by the Scriptures that enable the aspirant:

a) to become an embodiment of the Scriptures;

b) to translate each shloka of the Scriptures into his life, making it a mantra that helps him apply the knowledge of the Truth in life;

c) to become the embodiment of each tenet of the Scriptures.

He who understands the Scriptures in this manner, deems it his duty to translate those tenets into his life.

One who abides in sattva, performs his duty as is prescribed in the Scriptures.

Those who are predominantly sattvic apply the scriptural tenets in their lives as their duty. Even though they may be devoid of any personal desire, they still perform their duty diligently and transform their lives into a garland of yagya without any selfish axe to grind. They are devotees of the qualities of the Supreme and therefore obey the Scriptures word for word. They do not seek self-establishment – they merely seek to establish others.

They constantly endeavour to give of their body, mind and intellect to the Lord. They seek nothing, even from Him. “To live a life of yagya is my duty and I must do it” – such is their conviction and thus they fulfil their dutiful obligations. Little one, in the Gita, the Lord Himself has clarified what constitutes duty.

The duty of a human being

1. To renounce attachment, desire and craving.

2. To relinquish selfish action and engage in selfless deeds.

3. To endeavour to practice the Lord’s dharma in his own life.

4. To engage in actions knowing that only dutiful actions must be performed.

5. To be a sthit pragya.

6. To become replete with the treasure of divine qualities.

7. To remain unaffected by all qualities.

8. To cease blaming anyone, knowing that all are bound by the qualities and the interaction of those qualities.

9. To endeavour to become an Atmavaan.

Just as the Lord is unmanifest even whilst He is manifest, the Lord’s devotee is similarly unmanifest. He remains inconspicuous despite manifesting divine attributes.

To accept all this in life on the practical plane is the greatest yagya any living being can perform. Any life based on these principles and this knowledge is verily the greatest yagya and also man’s highest duty. The sattvic being lives these truths in his life knowing it to be his duty to do so.

1. The actions of such a one are selfless.

2. The worship of such a one is devoid of any thought for self.

3. His knowledge too, is devoid of any selfish motive.

Yagya in accordance with the Scriptures

Such people conduct their lives in accordance with the injunctions inscribed in the Gita.

1. Thus do they live their lives.

2. Thus they fulfil their duty even whilst performing selfless deeds.

3. Thus they endeavour to attain yoga or unison with the Supreme.

4. Thus they endeavour to acquire the appropriate qualities.

5. Thus they strive to be established in equanimity.

Kamla! This is the duty of man. This is the method whereby man can merge in the Supreme. These are the paths, travelling which, man can attain the Lord. Therefore man must conduct his life in a similar manner, confident that “This is my duty, therefore I must do it – no matter what the outcome.”

Who acts in accordance with the tenets of the Scriptures?

It is only the one who has unflinching faith in the Lord who can say, “I must act in this manner because it is my duty.”

a) One who eternally keeps the Lord before himself as his witness,

b) One who obeys the injunctions of the Scriptures,

c) One who truly gives his body-self to the Lord,

d) One who truly gives his mind and intellect to the Lord,

– only such a one can say this.

Those who perform sattvic yagya:

a) are oblivious to their desire and perform their duties diligently;

b) forget themselves and perform their duty;

c) are impervious to the possible effects of the performance of duties on them;

d) perform their duties since they live only for the well-being and welfare of all.

­­–  Their duty lies towards the Lord’s divine qualities.

­­–  Their duty lies towards the Self, and towards their own spiritual progress.

The oblations of divine qualities are offered into the yagya of life. This is what the sattvic being practises in his own life. Such a one renounces all desire for the fruits of his deeds and offers oblations for the welfare of all.

The attribute of sattva causes attachment with knowledge and light

However, it is important to remember that the attribute of sattva causes one to be attached to knowledge and light. Those who are ridden with pride of their virtue, their divine qualities and their knowledge, are indeed far from being perfect souls. They are aspirants on this path.