Chapter 4 Shloka 28

द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे।

स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतय: संशितव्रता:।।२८।।

Bhagwan continues: Some perform yagya with material possessions,

some perform yagya by observing austerities;

some offer sacrifice through the practise of Yoga,

whereas some diligent endeavourers, with passionate resolve,

perform the yagya of knowledge and self study.

Chapter 4 Shloka 28

द्रव्ययज्ञास्तपोयज्ञा योगयज्ञास्तथापरे।

स्वाध्यायज्ञानयज्ञाश्च यतय: संशितव्रता:।।२८।।

Bhagwan continues:

Some perform yagya with material possessions, some perform yagya by observing austerities; some offer sacrifice through the practise of Yoga, whereas some diligent endeavourers, with passionate resolve, perform the yagya of knowledge and self study.

Little one, first understand Dravya Yagya (द्रव्य यज्ञ).

1. The practicant of this yagya donates his wealth to others.

2. He uses his wealth to give happiness to others.

3. He uses his wealth to lessen the sorrow of others.

4. He earns wealth and gives it to others.

5. He uses his wealth to establish others.

6. He donates his wealth to charity.

7. He utilises his wealth for the dissemination of knowledge.

8. He donates his wealth for activities which pursue excellence and greatness.

The practicants of dravya yagya strive for detachment with wealth and the elimination of greed.

Tap Yagya (तप यज्ञ)

a) The observers of Tap yagya practice self control.

b) They strive to build their powers of endurance and patience.

c) They learn to tolerate adversity.

d) They seek to endure the ‘heat and cold’ of life.

e) They practice forbearance.

f) They try to quell the mind.

g) Thus, they bear the most terrible atrocities with a smile.

h) They strive to learn to sacrifice their own needs and respond to the needs of others.

i) They practice the acceptance of indignities and insults.

j) They offer their mind as oblation in this yagya.

It is through the austerities of tap yagya that one can obtain Supreme knowledge. This is also the best method to attain the state of silence.

Yoga Yagya (योग यज्ञ)

Those who practice Yoga yagya, strive for union with the Atma.

1. They constantly practice the cessation of identification with the body.

2. They strive to attain the intellect of equanimity.

3. They strive to transcend the gunas.

4. They strive to attain a stable intellect.

5. They endeavour to perform selfless actions.

6. They endeavour to become completely detached.

7. They practice self control.

8. They constantly try to make their entire life a continuous yagya.

9. Their endeavour is to attain the state of samadhi.

Swadhyay Yagya (स्वाध्याय यज्ञ)

1. Such sadhaks make a personal study of the Scriptures.

2. They educate themselves about Truth.

3. They remind themselves of the knowledge of the Scriptures.

4. They constantly remind themselves of the Lord and His injunctions.

5. They depend upon themselves.

6. They ruminate in their own mind.

7. They debate and discuss within themselves.

8. They reflect in their own mind on the role of the gunas.

9. They strive to bring the Truth into their lives.

10. They endeavour to realise their true essence, the Self, through meditation.

Gyan Yagya (ज्ञान यज्ञ)

Little one, through this yagya, the sadhak accumulates knowledge and makes every effort to disseminate and preach that knowledge. He strives to augment his intellect and studies several Scriptures towards this end. He learns several branches of knowledge and teaches them too.

All those who perform these varied yagyas:

a) are of a strong resolve;

b) are vigilant and persevering;

c) endeavour for the success of their efforts with shrewdness and efficiency;

d) often have to face several difficulties and practice numerous restraints.