Bhagavad Gita 4.24

 

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 24: Understanding the Divine Sacrifice

Sanskrit Verse:

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् |
ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना || २४ ||

Transliteration:

Brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma havir brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam |
Brahmaiva tena gantavyaṁ brahma-karma-samādhinā || 24 ||

English Translation:

"The act of offering is Brahman, the oblation is Brahman, offered by Brahman in the fire of Brahman. One who sees everything as Brahman attains Brahman through his actions."

"अर्पण का कार्य ब्रह्म है, आहुति ब्रह्म है, ब्रह्म द्वारा ब्रह्म की अग्नि में अर्पित की गई आहुति। जो सब कुछ ब्रह्म के रूप में देखता है, वह अपने कार्यों के माध्यम से ब्रह्म को प्राप्त करता है। "

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Exploring the Meaning of Verse 4.24

1. The Concept of Divine Sacrifice (Yajna)

This verse highlights the spiritual philosophy of seeing everything as Brahman, the ultimate reality. The Bhagavad Gita teaches that true sacrifice (Yajna) is not just a ritualistic fire offering but a way of life where every action is performed with a divine consciousness.

2. Unity of Everything in Brahman

• Brahmārpaṇam: The act of offering itself is divine.
• Brahma Havih: The materials used in the offering are also divine.
• Brahmāgnau: The fire into which the offering is made is divine.
• Brahmaṇā Hutam: The person performing the offering is also divine.

Thus, this verse teaches that when a person sees everything as a manifestation of Brahman, their actions lead them to spiritual liberation.

3. Path to Self-Realization

Lord Krishna explains that a seeker who performs all actions with this realization achieves Brahman. This means that selfless action (Karma Yoga), when performed with the right attitude, leads to enlightenment.

4. Practical Application in Life

• Performing daily duties with devotion and without selfish motives.
• Seeing divinity in every aspect of life, including work, relationships, and nature.
• Cultivating an attitude of selflessness and surrendering the results of actions to the Divine.

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Conclusion

Bhagavad Gita 4.24 teaches us that everything is an expression of the Divine, and by recognizing this truth, we can elevate our actions into a spiritual offering. This profound wisdom helps individuals lead a life of devotion, selflessness, and ultimate liberation (Moksha).

Would you like a more detailed explanation of any part of this verse.