"This world is bound by action, except when action is done as…" — Krishna

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This world is bound by action, except when action is done as sacrifice. Therefore, Kaunteya, perform action for that purpose, free from attachment.

यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः | तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर ||३-९||

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The Bhagavad Gita, translated and commentated by S. Radhakrishnan, is one of the most scholarly and accessible English renderings of Hinduism's most beloved scripture — the dialogue between Arjuna and Lord Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Radhakrishnan, philosopher and statesman, brings both rigorous intellectual insight and genuine spiritual depth to his translation and notes. This edition is treasured for its ability to illuminate the Gita's universal spiritual teaching across cultural and philosophical boundaries.

Author: Krishna
Tradition: Hindu
Source text: Bhagavad Gita
Chapter: Bhagavad Gita 3.9
Verse / page: BG.3.9
Topics: Sacrifice Action Detachment

Same theme, different voices

Forgiveness is a virtue, forgiveness is a sacrifice, forgiveness is the Vedas, forgiveness is the Shruti.

The root cause of a person's suffering is their pride. Even if someone makes a sacrifice, they can still get caught up in their own pride. What is the point of such a sacrifice? It is pride, or ego, that should be sacrificed. That is where true happiness and bliss are found.

The second test of sincerity is that a person should be willing to sacrifice their own will for God's will, and should embrace what brings them closer to God and avoid what takes them away from God.