BG 18.3
Some sages say that all action is evil and should be abandoned, while others say that acts of sacrifice, charity, and penance should not be given up.
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे
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tyājyaṁ — should be given up
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doṣha-vad — as evil
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doṣha
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vad
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ity — thus
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eke — some
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karma — acts
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prāhur — declare
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manīṣhiṇaḥ — the learned
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yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-karma — acts of sacrifice, charity, and penance
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yajña — sacrifice
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dāna — generosity, charity
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tapaḥ — penance
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karma — actions
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na — never
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tyājyam — should be abandoned
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iti — thus
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chāpare — and others
Krishna replied: The sages know that renunciation is forgoing any action that springs from desire, while relinquishing is the forgoing of its fruit. Some sages say that all action is evil and should be abandoned, while others say that acts of sacrifice, charity, and penance should not be given up.
Similar verses
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One should perform acts of sacrifice, charity, and penance for the sake of purifying the soul.
- Verse 18.5
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Some sages perform sacrifice to the gods alone, while others offer themselves as sacrifice on the eternal altar.
- Verse 4.25
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It is necessary to consider what is righteous action, and what is immoral action, and what is inaction, for the paths of action are mysterious.
- Verse 4.17
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Devotion to sacrifice, austerity, and charity is also referred to as "Sat", as is any action for such purposes.
- Verse 17.27
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Perform your obligatory actions, for action is superior to inaction. For a person following inaction, even the sustenance of the body is impossible.
- Verse 3.8