Sacrifice

Names and terminology

Canonical name: Yajña

Original term: Yajña

Transliteration: Yajña

Literal meaning

Undertake sacred offering and service beyond private gratification.

Broader interpretation

Undertake sacred offering and service beyond private gratification.

Historical context

This principle belongs to Bhagavad Gita's Twenty-Six Divine Qualities and must be read within that framework's setting.

Practical meaning

Undertake sacred offering and service beyond private gratification.

Ethical purpose

Undertake sacred offering and service beyond private gratification.

Exceptions and disputes

Translation and application vary; each quality should be applied with evidence, proportionality and attention to competing duties.

Variations across schools or traditions

Translations divide and render several Sanskrit terms differently; this catalogue follows the standard twenty-six-term enumeration.

Modern application

Undertake sacred offering and service beyond private gratification. Modern application should consider consent, evidence, proportionality, power and consequences.

Criticism and difficult cases

Translation and application vary; each quality should be applied with evidence, proportionality and attention to competing duties.

Truth By Reason analysis

Undertake sacred offering and service beyond private gratification. Application should preserve the ethical purpose while avoiding coercion, discrimination and preventable harm.

Ethical themes

• Worship
• Social responsibility

Sources

• Bhagavad Gita 16:1–3 — Divine Qualities Primary source