Verse 17.11

Verse 17.11: "”The sacrifice which is performed as shown by precept by those not yearning for its fruit, with the mind at peace, and (in the faith,) that the sacrifice has to be performed (for its own sake); that (sacrifice) is Sattva-dominated. (171)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

Not to allow the least germination or growth of any desire for anyone else but her own dear husband is the natural bent of mind of a loyal wife: the holy Ganges, once it joins the seas does not flow further: or once the Supreme Self is discerned, the Vedas (their function being completed) come to a standstill: in any of these ways they (Sattvics) dedicate all their mind to attaining their goal, dropping all egotism for the fruit. A water-flow once it reaches the bottom of a tree, does not recede, but gets absorbed there only (fostering the growth of that tree without expecting any return). In that way those that get absorbed in sacrifices, keeping firm faith in them, and with the body and the mind devoted to them without expecting in the least any return,—any sacrifices performed by such ones after dropping, and remaining detached from, all desires for fruit or any other thing but their own religion (duty), are the best performed in all ways and also according to the enjoined forms.

One should view his own eyes in a mirror, or should behold in the light of a lamp a gem placed on his own palm, or should discern his intended way with (the light of) the rise of the Sun; in that way were one to study the injunctions of the Vedas with firm faith and assemble all equipment such as receptacles (kuṇḍa [kuṇḍe]), temporary sheds (maṇḍapa), altars (vedī), as also other materials necessary for a sacrifice and arrange them methodically in their proper order and place (in the way) as different ornaments should be properly worn on the respective limbs,—in what ways and terms to extol the greatness of such a thing? It is as if the very Goddess of sacrificial lore, bedecked all over with ornaments, has appeared in the form (disguise) of sacrifice.

Such a sacrifice, perfect in all ways and not germinating and issuing forth any blossom in the form of desires for any fruit—such a sacrifice, free from motive and fruit, is performed in the way a person (constructs and) maintains a canal for watering the bed of Tulsi plants even though /he knows) he cannot get (by way of return) any flowers, fruit or shade out of it. Such a sacrifice should be known as Sattvic Sacrifice.