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The Bhagavad Gita1420
who hath killed attachment and who dwelleth harmoniously with his mind
fixed in the true knowledge and wisdom, all the binding effects of action
melt away as the cloud before the rising sun.
“As the sacrifice which goeth to the Eternal One is in reality but a mere
form of That to which it goes—so he who knoweth Me in all of his actions
shall come to Me.
“Some there be who offer up sacrifices to the lesser gods, and others there
be who worship the Divine Principle in the fire; others pour their sensedesires
upon the altar; others offer up the very functions of life; others still
there be who make offering of the sacrifice of wealth—or who practice
austerity as a token of worship—or who meditate in silence and thought;
others there be who practice Yoga as a worship; and some make vows and
render devotional exercises; still others practice sacred breathings as their
share of offering; others perform fastings.
“All make sacrifices, though their offerings be far different in nature and
kind. And all are benefitted by the spirit which causes their form of sacrifice;
all gain merit by the sacrificial spirit behind the observance. There is much
virtue and merit in self-restraint and self-mastery, O Prince, and thus do the
sacrificers come nearer to Me. Yea, they who rise from their sacrifices with
increased spiritual comprehension draw nearer unto Me. But, for him who
maketh no sacrifices, O Prince, there is no merit for him in this world—how
then can there be merit for him in another?
“Thou hast seen that there are many forms of sacrifices and worship in
the world, O Arjuna. Knoweth thou, then, that Action pervadeth all these
forms. Knowing this, thou art freed from error. But better than the sacrifice
of objects and things, O Prince, is the offering of Wisdom. Wisdom, in itself,
is the sum of all Action—the Spiritual Knowing comprehends all Action.
“Learn thou this lesson by study, thought, service and investigation. The
Wise Ones—the Seers—the possessors of the Inner Knowledge—will aid
thee, from time to time, as thou art ready. When the pupil is ready, the
Master appeareth. When thou most needeth knowledge—the next link in