Chapter IV · Śloka 33
श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप |
सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते ||
सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते ||
śreyān dravya-mayād yajñāj jñāna-yajñaḥ parantapa |
sarvaṃ karmākhilaṃ pārtha jñāne parisamāpyate ||
sarvaṃ karmākhilaṃ pārtha jñāne parisamāpyate ||
The sacrifice of knowledge is superior to any material sacrifice, O scorcher of foes. All action in its entirety, O Pārtha, culminates in knowledge.
Material offerings are finite; knowledge is the fire that burns the root of all bondage. Every path of sincere action — whatever its outer form — ultimately matures into wisdom. Knowledge is where all sacrificial roads converge.