Bhagavad Gita BG 17.25
Chapter 17, Verse 25 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः । दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः ॥
tad ity anabhisandhaya phalam yajna-tapah-kriyah dana-kriyash ca vividhah kriyante moksha-kankshhibhih
Meaning
With 'Tat' (That), without aiming at fruit, various acts of sacrifice, austerity, and gifts are performed by seekers of liberation.
Understanding
'Tat' (That) — the second of the three sacred syllables (Om-Tat-Sat). Anabhisandhaya phalam (without aiming at/targeting fruit — the defining quality of liberation-oriented action). Yajna-tapah-kriyah dana-kriyash ca vividhah (various acts of sacrifice, austerity, and gifts). Kriyante moksha-kankshhibhih (are performed by seekers of liberation — moksha-kanksha = desire for liberation). 'Tat' invokes That Absolute beyond the personal — the impersonal Divine. When actions are performed with 'Tat' (That Absolute) as their referent, fruit-seeking drops away naturally, because all is offered to the Absolute rather than to the ego's desires. This is liberation-action.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तत् | tat | That (the second sacred syllable — the Absolute) |
| अनभिसन्धाय | anabhisandhaya | without aiming at, without targeting (opposite of abhisandhaya) |
| यज्ञतपःक्रियाः | yajna-tapah-kriyah | acts of sacrifice and austerity |
| दानक्रियाः | dana-kriyah | acts of giving/generosity |
| मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः | moksha-kankshhibhih | by seekers of liberation (moksha = liberation, kanksha = desire/seeking) |
| इति | iti | thus |
| अनभिसन्धाय | anabhisandhāya | without seeking |
| फलम् | phalam | result |
| यज्ञ | yajña | sacrifice |
| तपः | tapaḥ | austerity |
| क्रियाः | kriyāḥ | acts |
| दान | dāna | charity |
| क्रियाः | kriyāḥ ca | and acts |
| विविधाः | vividhāḥ | various |
| क्रियन्ते | kriyante | are performed |
| मोक्ष-काङ्क्षिभिः | mokṣa-kāṅkṣibhiḥ | by those desiring liberation |
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