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Chapter 3 Verses 3.10–16

From Karma-kāṇḍa to Karma-yoga

3.10–11 Attaining happiness by sacrifice (yajña) and cooperation between men and demigods.

3.12–13 One should eat food which is first offered in sacrifce, otherwise he is a thief

3.14–16 Cycle of sacrifce. Life becomes sinful without sacrifce

A summary chart on the flow of Chapter Three 3.1–43
  1. 3.1-2 Arjuna's confusion – 'Renunciation or Action?'
  2. 3.3-16 Renunciation (jñāna-yoga) is difficult; prescribed action with detachment (niṣkāma-karma-yoga) is better for Arjuna; go from karma-kāṇḍa to karma-yoga.
  3. 3.17-35 Even if qualified for renunciation, Arjuna should do niṣkāma-karma-yoga to set the right example.
  4. 3.36-43 Lust is a formidable enemy; conquer it by deliberate spiritual intelligence.

The last step leads back to the first.

Cycle of sacrifice 3.14–16
  1. Supreme Lord (akṣara)
  2. Vedas (brahma)
  3. Prescribed actions (karma)
  4. Sacrifice (yajña)
  5. Raining clouds (parjanya)
  6. Food grains (anna)
  7. Living entities (bhūtāni) – offer the food to the Supreme Lord

The last step leads back to the first.