Those who partake of the nectar left over from sacrifice attain the eternal supreme reality. This world is not for the one who does not perform sacrifice; how then the next world?
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 4.31
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे कुरुवंशियोंमें श्रेष्ठ अर्जुन यज्ञसे बचे हुए अमृतका अनुभव करनेवाले सनातन परब्रह्म परमात्माको प्राप्त होते हैं । यज्ञ न करनेवाले मनुष्यके लिये यह मनुष्यलोक भी सुखदायक नहीं है, फिर परलोक कैसे सुखदायक होगा ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजोthose who eat the nectar left over from sacrificeयान्तिgoब्रह्मto the supreme realityनnotअयम्thisलोकःworldअस्तिisअयज्ञस्यfor one without sacrificeकुतःhowअन्यःthe otherकुरुसत्तमO best among the Kurus
Read literallythose who eat the nectar left over from sacrifice · go · to the supreme reality · not · this · world · is · for one without sacrifice · how · the other · O best among the Kurus
Understanding the verse
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It shifts the mind from passive consumption to reciprocal offering, showing that meaningful living depends on contribution.
People who live by sacrifice and accept its blessed remainder move toward the eternal supreme reality. Without sacrifice, even this life loses its value, so the next one cannot be better.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna is frozen while Krishna explains how action can become sacred. After describing many forms of sacrifice, Krishna says that those who receive the blessed remainder of sacrifice move toward the eternal supreme reality, while a life without sacrifice cannot even sustain this world.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You keep taking from a relationship, a team, or a family without giving anything back. Eventually the whole thing feels lifeless. The verse says participation is what keeps life alive.
The takeaway
“There is relief in giving before taking. Life feels fuller when you live as a participant, not a consumer.”
Explore related themes: karma yoga(55 verses), yajna(32 verses)
Common questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 4.31 mean?
People who live by sacrifice and accept its blessed remainder move toward the eternal supreme reality. Without sacrifice, even this life loses its value, so the next one cannot be better.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 4.31?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga" (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 4.31?
Verse 31 sits in Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita — Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga, "Knowledge and Renunciation of Action". The chapter has 42 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 4.31 matter today?
You keep taking from a relationship, a team, or a family without giving anything back. Eventually the whole thing feels lifeless. The verse says participation is what keeps life alive.
It shifts the mind from passive consumption to reciprocal offering, showing that meaningful living depends on contribution.
What this verse means
People who live by sacrifice and accept its blessed remainder move toward the eternal supreme reality. Without sacrifice, even this life loses its value, so the next one cannot be better.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna is frozen while Krishna explains how action can become sacred. After describing many forms of sacrifice, Krishna says that those who receive the blessed remainder of sacrifice move toward the eternal supreme reality, while a life without sacrifice cannot even sustain this world.
Why this verse still matters
You keep taking from a relationship, a team, or a family without giving anything back. Eventually the whole thing feels lifeless. The verse says participation is what keeps life alive.
“There is relief in giving before taking. Life feels fuller when you live as a participant, not a consumer.”
Explore related themes: karma yoga (55 verses), yajna (32 verses)