Chapter IV · Śloka 31
यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो यान्ति ब्रह्म सनातनम् |
नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतोऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम ||
नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतोऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम ||
yajña-śiṣṭāmṛta-bhujo yānti brahma sanātanam |
nāyaṃ loko 'sty ayajñasya kuto 'nyaḥ kuru-sattama ||
nāyaṃ loko 'sty ayajñasya kuto 'nyaḥ kuru-sattama ||
Those who eat the nectar that remains after sacrifice go to the eternal Brahman. Even this world is not for one who does not sacrifice — how then the next, O best of the Kurus?
The 'nectar of sacrifice' is the fruit of disciplined, selfless action — what remains when ego-driven desire has been burnt away. Without some form of self-offering, no life — here or hereafter — finds its full measure.