Shloka 15
Karma-Saṃnyāsa–Karma-Yoga Saṃvāda
Renunciation and the Discipline of Action
कर्म ब्रह्मोद्धवं विद्धि ब्रद्माक्षरसमुद्धवम् । तस्मात् सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतेष्ठितम्
karma brahmodbhavaṁ viddhi brahmākṣara-samudbhavam | tasmāt sarvagataṁ brahma nityaṁ yajñe pratiṣṭhitam ||
Know that prescribed action (karma) arises from Brahman (the Veda), and that Brahman (the Veda) arises from the Imperishable (Akṣara). Therefore the all-pervading Imperishable Reality is eternally grounded in sacrifice (yajña).
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Right action (karma) is rooted in Vedic injunction (brahma), which itself is grounded in the Imperishable (akṣara). Hence sacrifice—understood as duty offered in a sacred spirit—is not merely a ritual but the enduring foundation of ethical order.
In the Bhīṣma Parva’s discourse setting, Arjuna speaks about the chain of causality and authority behind righteous action: duties arise from the Veda, the Veda from the Imperishable, and therefore the Supreme is ever present in yajña—framing action as worshipful responsibility.