तद् इत्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः। दानक्रियाश्च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्षकाङ्क्षिभिः।।17.25।।
tat ity anabhisandhaya phalam yajna tapa kriyah. dana kriyah ca vividha kriyante mokshakankshibhi.
Translation
Persons who do not desire fruitive rewards, but seek to be free from material entanglements, utter the word “Tat” along with acts of austerity, sacrifice, and charity.
Word Meanings
tat — that; iti — thus; anabhisandhāya — without desiring; phalaṁ — the fruitive result; yajña — of sacrifice; tapaḥ — and penance; kriyāḥ — activities; dāna — of charity; kriyāḥ — activities; ca — also; vividhāḥ — various; kriyante — are done; mokṣa‑kāṅkṣibhiḥ — by those who actually desire liberation.
Understanding the Verse
In this verse, Lord Krishna describes the characteristic speech and conduct of those who have shifted their focus from worldly gains to the ultimate goal of liberation (moksha). The utterance "tat" (that) is a profound declaration of the truth: the divine reality beyond the transient world. By affirming "tat," the seeker acknowledges that all external objects, desires, and outcomes are ultimately rooted in the supreme principle, transcending personal ego and material attachment.
The phrase "anabhisandhāya" emphasizes the selfless attitude of the aspirant. "An-" negates the desire for "bhisandhā" – a sense of personal gain or reward. Such a person performs rites, sacrifices, and penances not for the promise of heavenly fruits, but as an offering to the Divine, recognizing that the true reward lies in spiritual liberation itself. This aligns with the Gita's broader teaching that actions performed without attachment to results purify the mind and pave the way for self‑realization.
"Yajña" (sacrifice) and "tapaḥ" (austerity) are traditional Vedic practices that, when undertaken with the right mindset, become instruments for inner transformation. They channel the practitioner's energies toward higher consciousness rather than external gratification. When these practices are rooted in a selfless motive, they become expressions of devotion (bhakti) and surrender, dissolving the ego’s grip on the heart.
Similarly, "dāna" (charity) is highlighted as a vital activity. By giving without expectation, the seeker cultivates generosity, compassion, and detachment. Charitable acts performed for the welfare of others, rather than for personal acclaim, further weaken the sense of possessiveness that binds one to samsara (the cycle of birth and death). The verse therefore presents a holistic approach: sacrifice, austerity, and charity, all executed as self‑less deeds, constitute the practical framework for those who yearn for moksha.
The term "mokṣa‑kāṅkṣibhiḥ" identifies the audience of this instruction – those who truly desire liberation. Their inner longing replaces ordinary cravings, and consequently, their actions reflect this shift. By speaking "tat" and by integrating self‑less rituals into daily life, they embody the Gita’s teaching that knowledge (jnana), devotion (bhakti), and righteous action (karma) must converge in the aspirant’s heart.
In essence, this verse teaches that the path to freedom is not merely intellectual understanding but a lived reality where speech, intention, and conduct are harmonized. When the seeker’s motives are purified, every act—whether a fire offering, a disciplined penance, or a simple act of giving—becomes a stepping stone toward the final release from all material entanglements.
