(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)

The offering of the Self to the Divine is the Highest Form of Worship

दैवमेवापरे यज्ञं योगिन: पर्युपासते |
ब्रह्माग्नावपरे यज्ञं यज्ञेनैवोपजुह्वति || 4.25||

daivam evāpare yajñaṁ yoginaḥ paryupāsate
brahmāgnāvapare yajñaṁ yajñenaivopajuhvati|| 4.25||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 4- Ver. 25:

Some yogis worship deities by devotion, while others worship by sacrificing themselves to the self-sacrificial flame of the self

Explanation

Any action we take as part of a yagnya must be free of any anticipation of a positive outcome.You must carry out your daily activities. You can’t physically separate yourself from the situation. However, one part of your mind might stay anchored in the notion of Atman as you go about your regular activity. The world, not Atman, affects and influences the body, mind, and intellect. The truth is that the world does not influence the real you.

Yogis are people who follow the yoga path to re-unite with Atman. The ideal can be greater but still attainable in this world, or it can be the ultimate aim of Realization. The name ‘devas’ gods denote limited, terrestrial aspirations that go beyond selfish, self-centered interests. Some people make sacrifices to achieve their goals in life. A few people, dissatisfied with the world, seek Atman.

Both, however, must make sacrifices to achieve their objectives. At the end of the day, all activities are yajna or self-sacrifice. As a result, sacrifice is sacrificed, and Self Realization is the kindling. Yajna is the beginning of spiritual life. The yajna itself is the last thing you give up. You must rise above your previous notion and enter quietly.

Verse & what we can learn

The highest form of worship is to dissolve the self totally and to surrender to the divine consciousness.

To acquire knowledge and to implement that knowledge in life one needs to be mentally and physically active and healthy and for that daily meditation is a great tool.

There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There are also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.

In the Next verse, Shri Krishna tells Arjuna about offerings to the sacrificial fire.

Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…