Verse 17.25

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration, Word-for-word and English translation of verse 17.25:

तद् इत्य् अनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञ-तपः-क्रियाः ।
दान-क्रियाश् च विविधाः क्रियन्ते मोक्ष-काङ्क्षिभिः ॥ २५ ॥

tad ity anabhisandhāya phalaṃ yajña-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ |
dāna-kriyāś ca vividhāḥ kriyante mokṣa-kāṅkṣibhiḥ || 25 ||

tat–the syllable tat; iti–thus; anabhisandhāya–without desiring; phalam–of the fruit [of their activities]; yajña-tapaḥ–sacrifice, austerities; kriyāḥ–religious practices; dāna-kriyāḥ–charitable deeds; ca–and; vividhāḥ–various kinds; kriyante–are done; mokṣa-kāṅkṣibhiḥ–those desirous of liberation.

While uttering the syllable tat, those seeking liberation perform various types of austerities, sacrifice, charity and other such religious activities without any desire for the fruit.

Commentary: Sārārtha-Varṣiṇī Ṭīkā

(By Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura; the innermost intention of the commentary named ‘the shower of essential meanings’)

As described in the previous verse, yajña and other religious activities should be performed by uttering the word tat. The word anabhisandhāya means that one should perform one’s various prescribed duties without desiring their result.

Commentary: Sārārtha-Varṣiṇī Prakāśikā-vṛtti

(By Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja; the explanation that illuminates the commentary named Sārārtha-varṣiṇī)

The word idam refers to this visible world, and tat refers to brahma (Reality), which is beyond this world. Yajñas must only be performed for the purpose of attaining para-tattva, the Supreme Reality.