Yoga through Discerning the Three Divisions of Faith
Verse 17.25
तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः।दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षि।।17.25।।
tad ity anabhisandhāya phalaṁ yajña-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ dāna-kriyāśh cha vividhāḥ kriyante mokṣha-kāṅkṣhibhiḥ
Word Meanings
tat—the syllable Tat; iti—thus; anabhisandhāya—without desiring; phalam—fruitive rewards; yajña—sacrifice; tapaḥ—austerity; kriyāḥ—acts; dāna—charity; kriyāḥ—acts; cha—and; vividhāḥ—various; kriyante—are done; mokṣha-kāṅkṣhibhiḥ—by seekers of freedom from material entanglements
Translation · English
Uttering "Tat," without aiming for the fruits, are the acts of sacrifice, austerity, and the various acts of gifts performed by those seeking liberation.
Deep Meaning · English
In this verse, Krishna introduces the sacred monosyllable 'Tat' (That) as a transformative tool for the spiritual seeker. 'Tat' represents the Absolute Reality or Brahman, which lies beyond the petty constraints of the ego. By invoking this word, the seeker shifts their orientation from the 'I'—which performs actions for personal gain—to the 'That,' which encompasses all of existence. It is a psychological and spiritual recalibration where acts of sacrifice (yajna), austerity (tapas), and charity (dana) cease to be karmic fetters and become acts of worship intended for the Ultimate. The verse serves as a culmination of Krishna’s instruction on the three modes of nature (Gunas) by showing how to transcend them. A seeker of liberation (moksha-kankshi) performs various duties not for the gratification of the material body or the satisfaction of reputation, but as a deliberate offering to the Divine. By detaching the 'fruit' (phalam) from the 'action' (kriyā), the seeker prevents the formation of new samskaras, effectively burning the seeds of future births and transmuting mundane life into a ritual of non-attachment.
True spiritual freedom is attained when one performs every action as an offering to the Absolute, deliberately relinquishing the craving for personal outcomes.
Connected Verses
Reinforces that performing prescribed duties as a sacrifice without expectation is the essence of sattvic renunciation.
Provides the complementary context by explaining the true meaning of 'Sat' and 'Asat' in the context of eternal goodness.
Confirms that whatever one does, eats, offers, or gives must be presented as an offering to the Divine.
Establishes the foundational principle of performing one's duty without attachment to the results.
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