Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 Verse 11 Meaning

That sacrifice which is offered by men without desire for reward, as enjoined by the ordinance (scripture), with a firm faith that doing so is their duty, is Sattvic or pure.

BG 17.11

अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते।यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः

aphalākāṅkṣhibhir yajño vidhi-driṣhṭo ya ijyate yaṣhṭavyam eveti manaḥ samādhāya sa sāttvikaḥ

Meaning

That sacrifice which is offered by men without desire for reward, as enjoined by the ordinance (scripture), with a firm faith that doing so is their duty, is Sattvic or pure.

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What Does Bhagavad Gita 17.11 Mean?

This verse carries the weight of lived truth. That sacrifice which is offered by men without desire for reward, as enjoined by the ordinance (scripture), with a firm faith that doing so is their duty, is Sattvic or pure. In the context of how the three gunas shape faith, diet, worship, and charity, these words illuminate the principle of worship and charity from a perspective that complements the surrounding verses.

The verse operates on multiple levels. On the surface, it addresses Arjuna's immediate situation. At a deeper level, it articulates a universal principle about faith that applies to every person navigating the complexities of moral and spiritual life. What makes this teaching enduringly relevant is its refusal to separate the spiritual from the ordinary. The very situations that challenge us become the ground of practice when approached with the understanding this verse provides.

— Explained by the Nitya Team

What Is the Context of Bhagavad Gita 17.11?

How faith manifests according to the three modes of nature.

Key themes in this chapter include Faith, Food, Sacrifice, Charity.

How Can I Apply Bhagavad Gita 17.11 in Daily Life?

  • When you need steadiness while dealing with faith
  • When practicing food amid uncertainty
  • When applying sacrifice to real-life choices

Verse FAQs

What is the main idea of Bhagavad Gita 17.11?
This verse carries the weight of lived truth. That sacrifice which is offered by men without desire for reward, as enjoined by the ordinance (scripture), with a firm faith that doing so is their duty, is Sattvic or pure. In the context of how the three gunas shape faith, diet, worship, and charity,...
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 17.11 in daily life?
Apply this teaching when making choices or doing your duties. Focus on food and keep your mind steady regardless of outcomes.

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← Back to Chapter 17: The Yoga of Threefold Faith

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