Bhagwad Gita - Post 222

Verse 3

Some philosophers declare that all actions should be abandoned as an evil, while others declare that acts of gift, sacrifice and austerity should not be relinquished.

Verse 4

Hear from Me the conclusion or the final truth about this abandonment, O best of the Bharatas; abandonment, verily, O best of men, has been declared to be of three kinds!

Verse 5

Acts of sacrifice, gift and austerity should not be abandoned, but should be performed; Sacrifice, gift and also austerity are the purifiers of the wise.

Verse 6

But even these actions should be performed leaving aside attachment and the desire for rewards, O Arjuna! This is My certain and best conviction.

Arjuna nods in agreement of Lord’s exposition and the Lord continues.

“Some wise ones say that every action is defective. Sri Krishna himself says that any undertaking is defective because we will come a cropper one day or the other, whatever be the project that we undertake or the work that we do. 

Because of the fact that there is a defect in every kind of undertaking, in any kind of action, action should be abandoned. This is the opinion of certain ancient Masters. 

But other great ones tell us that not all actions should be abandoned under the impression that they are all defective, because there are certain actions which are purifying in their nature, and they are obligatory on the part of every person. These actions—namely, yajna, dana and tapas—are very necessary for all people. 

“I shall clinch the matter by firmly telling you that yajna, dana and tapas should not be abandoned under the impression that they are actions that have some defect.” What is yajna, what is dana, what is tapas? 

Tapas pertains to us, dana pertains to others, and sacrifice, or yajna, pertains to the gods. 

We have a duty towards ourselves, a duty towards others, and a duty towards the Supreme Divinity manifesting itself as the controlling power of the cosmos. Therefore, we cannot say that we shall not do anything. We have to do something for our welfare, for others’ welfare, and for the satisfaction of God Himself. 

The sacrifice that we perform for the satisfaction of the Supreme Divinity, which is the ultimate sacrifice, is called yajna.

The charity that we do for the pleasure of people and the welfare of people is called dana, or philanthropic deeds. 

However, while performing such actions, one should give up the desires which motivate such acts.

For example, a rich man may give a lot of wealth in charity, wanting at the same time, a lot of publicity. Far better it is to offer charity with a noble feeling that it would bring relief and comfort to the needy and also make the Lord (in the giver and in the receiver) happy.

Tapas—inward austerity, self-control, self-discipline, restraint of the mind and the sense organs—is a duty of every person seeking God.

Therefore, we cannot say, “It is an action; therefore, I will not do it”.  We have to do it because tapas is conducive to our welfare, charity or dana is conducive to the welfare of others, and yajna or sacrifice is conducive to the satisfaction of God Himself. 

Therefore, I tell you, yajna, dana and tapas should not be abandoned. They must be done; they are imperative duties.”

All these duties, when properly pursued, bring about a brilliant discipline within and create conditions under which alone, the highest spiritual unfoldment and the final experience of the Infinite are possible. 

Krishna says here that these can "purify even thoughtful men." Men of evolutionary tendencies, who seek freedom from their personality obsessions must, with devotion and the right attitude of mind, perform Yajnas, Daana and Tapas. Thereby they can discover an endless amount of inner peace and balance.

Love.