Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 18, Verse 5

[Bhagavad Gita Slokas]

	Chapter 18: Conclusion -- The Perfection of Renunciation
	Verse: 5 yajna-dana-tapah-karma na tyajyam karyam eva tat yajno danam tapas caiva pavanani manishinam

Translation:
Acts of sacrifice, charity and penance are not to be given up; they must be performed. Indeed, sacrifice, charity and penance purify even the great souls.

Explanation:
In two verse Krishna gives His opinion in this matter.

Activities of sacrifice, charity and penance, which when performed without desire of results, are sattvika in nature and purify every one - the kamya karmis as well as the nitya karmis. The purefecatory effect is because of the knowledge built into these activities - the importance of scriptural injunctions and detachment from fruitive activities.

Srila Prabhupada gives an example of how apparently material activities lead to spiritual elevation. The performance of vivaha-yanja or marriage ceremony allows young men and women to enjoy in a controlled manner and subsequent spiritual elevation. "All prescribed sacrifices are meant for achieving the Supreme Lord. Therefore, in the lower stages, they should not be given up. Similarly, charity is for the purification of the heart. If charity is given to suitable persons, as described previously, it leads one to advanced spiritual life."

Please read the Sanskrit Verse and the Prabhupada's Purport.

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