Word meanings
- yajña-śiṣṭa
- of remnants of food offered in sacrifice
- aśinaḥ
- eaters
- santaḥ
- saintly persons
- mucyante
- are released
- sarva
- all kinds of
- kilbiṣaiḥ
- from sins
- bhuñjate
- enjoy
- te
- they
- tu
- but
- agham
- sins
- pāpāḥ
- sinners
- ye
- who
- pacanti
- cook (food)
- ātma-kāraṇāt
- for their own sake
Translations
The righteous who eat the remnants of the sacrifice are freed from all sins; but those sinful ones who cook food solely for their own sake indeed consume sin.
The sages who enjoy the food that remains after the sacrifice is made are freed from all sins; whereas, the selfish who spread their feast only for themselves feed on sin alone.
By partaking in the remnants of sacrifices, they become freed from all sins. But those who are unholy and cook for themselves incur sin.
यज्ञशेष- (योग-) का अनुभव करनेवाले श्रेष्ठ मनुष्य सम्पूर्ण पापोंसे मुक्त हो जाते हैं। परन्तु जो केवल अपने लिये ही पकाते अर्थात् सब कर्म करते हैं, वे पापीलोग तो पापका ही भक्षण करते हैं।Commentary
Those who, after performing the five great sacrifices, eat the remnants of the food are freed from all the sins committed by these five agents of insect slaughter, viz., (1) the pestle and mortar, (2) the grinding stone, (3) the fireplace, (4) the place where the waterpot is kept, and (5) the broom. These are the five places where injury to life is daily committed. The sins are washed away by the performance of the five Maha-Yajnas or great sacrifices which every Dvija(twicorn or the people belonging to the first three castes in Hindu society, especially the Brahmin) ought to perform1.
Deva-Yajna Offering sacrifices to the gods which will satisfy them?2. Brahma-Yajna or Rishi-Yajna Teaching and reciting the scriptures which will satisfy Brahman and the Rishis?3. Pitri-Yajna Offering libations of water to ones ancestors which will satisfy the manes?4. Nri-Yajna The feeding of the hungry and the guests, and?5. Bhuta-Yajna The feeding of the subhuman species, such as animals, birds, etc.