In Bhagavad Gita 4.28, Krishna lists further sacrifices: of material wealth, of austerity, of yoga practice, and of study and knowledge, undertaken by striving seekers of firm vows.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा
योगयज्ञास्तथापरे
स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च
यतयः संशितव्रताः ॥ ४-२८ ॥
dravyayajñāstapoyajñā
yogayajñāstathāpare
svādhyāyajñānayajñāśca
yatayaḥ saṃśitavratāḥ
English transliteration dravyayajnaastapoyajnaa
yogayajnaastathaapare
svaadhyaayajnaanayajnaashcha
yatayah samshitavrataah ॥ 4.28 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Some offer wealth as sacrifice, some austerity, others the practice of yoga; and ascetics of firm vows offer study of scripture and knowledge as sacrifice.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| द्रव्ययज्ञाः dravyayajñāḥ | those who sacrifice wealth dravya (wealth) + yajñāḥ (sacrifices) |
| तपोयज्ञाः tapoyajñāḥ | those who sacrifice through austerity tapas (austerity) + yajñāḥ (sacrifices) |
| योगयज्ञाः yogayajñāḥ | those who sacrifice through yoga practice |
| तथा tathā | likewise |
| अपरे apare | others |
| स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाः svādhyāyajñānayajñāḥ | those who sacrifice through study and knowledge svādhyāya (study) + jñāna (knowledge) + yajñāḥ (sacrifices) |
| च ca | and |
| यतयः yatayaḥ | ascetics |
| संशितव्रताः saṃśitavratāḥ | of firm vows saṃśita (firm) + vratāḥ (vows) |
Word-wise Chanting
- drav–ya–ya–jñās–ta–po–ya–jñā 8 syllables drav-ya-ya-jnaas-ta-po-ya-jnaa
- yo–ga–ya–jñās–ta–thā–pa–re | 8 syllables yo-ga-ya-jnaas-ta-thaa-pa-re
- svādh–yā–ya–jñā–na–ya–jñāś–ca 8 syllables svaadh-yaa-ya-jnaa-na-ya-jnaash-cha
- ya–ta–yaḥ saṃ–śi–tav–ra–tāḥ || 4-28 8 syllables ya-ta-yah sam-shi-tav-ra-taah
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 4 Verse 28
Context
Krishna continues the list of sacrifices (4.25–4.30).
Meaning
The forms of sacrifice multiply: dravya-yajña, giving wealth in charity and service; tapo-yajña, austerity and self-discipline; yoga-yajña, the practice of meditative disciplines; svādhyāya-jñāna-yajña, the study of scripture and the pursuit of knowledge. All are undertaken with saṃśita-vrata, firm and disciplined vows.
Every person can find a form of offering that suits them. A generous giver, a disciplined athlete of the spirit, a meditator, a scholar: each walks a path of sacrifice. What unites them is commitment and the spirit of offering.
In Practice
Choose one form of sacrifice from this verse and commit to it for a week with a simple vow: giving, discipline, practice or study.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.