yajñena - yajñena - hi - dānaiḥ - yajñapataye - dāyate - yena - yajñaiḥ - ca - devāḥ

devāḥ (the gods) ca (and) yena (by whom) yajñaiḥ (with sacrifices) yajñena (with sacrifice) hi (certainly) yajñena (with sacrifice) dānaiḥ (with gifts) yajñapataye (to the lord of sacrifice) dāyate (are given)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse is often interpreted in the context of the ultimate reality, where yajña symbolizes the selfless action that leads to the realization of the brahman-ātman identity. According to Śaṅkarācārya, the performance of yajña, as described in this verse, is a means to understand the non-dual nature of reality. In his Bhagavad Gītā Bhāṣya, Śaṅkarācārya emphasizes that the true yajña is the sacrifice of one's ego and the offering of one's actions to the Supreme Being, which ultimately leads to the realization of the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the universal self (brahman). This verse, therefore, points to the liberation that comes from understanding the ultimate reality, where the distinction between the individual self and the Supreme Being disappears. By performing yajña, one is able to transcend the limitations of the individual self and experience the unity of all existence.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as a description of the relationship between the jīva (individual self) and Īśvara (the Supreme Being). Rāmānujācārya, in his Gītā Bhāṣya, interprets yajña as the means by which the individual self can cultivate devotion to the Supreme Being. The verse is seen as an expression of the idea that the Supreme Being is the ultimate beneficiary of all actions, and that the performance of yajña is a way of acknowledging and worshiping Him. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of bhakti (devotion) in the performance of yajña, and sees this verse as a call to devotionally engage with the Supreme Being through selfless action. In both traditions, the verse is understood as a description of the loving relationship between the individual self and the Supreme Being, where the individual self offers itself and its actions to the Supreme Being in an act of devotion.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): This verse has been interpreted by modern thinkers as a call to selfless action and service to humanity. Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Bhagavad Gītā, sees yajña as a symbol of the selfless service that is required to achieve spiritual growth and liberation. He emphasizes that the performance of yajña is not just a ritualistic act, but a way of life that involves dedicating oneself to the service of others. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, interprets this verse as a description of the universal principle of selflessness, which is the foundation of all ethical and spiritual growth. According to Radhakrishnan, the verse is a call to cultivate a sense of responsibility and duty towards others, and to recognize that our individual actions have a impact on the world around us. In this sense, the verse is seen as a practical guide to living a life of service, compassion, and selflessness, which is relevant to contemporary life and society.

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