Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4: Knowledge and the Renouncing of Action

Bhagavad Gita 4.33

śreyāndravyamayādyajñājjñānayajñaḥ parantapa | sarvaṃ karmākhilaṃ pārtha jñāne parisamāpyate ||

The sacrifice of knowledge is better than the sacrifice of material things, Arjuna. All action, without exception, finds its fulfilment in knowledge.

Modern context

Having honoured every form of sacrifice, Krishna now ranks them. The offering of knowledge is higher than any offering of things. Giving money or goods is valuable, but it can be done without any change in the giver. Understanding changes the giver. The second line explains why: all action finds its completion in knowledge. Every discipline, ritual and good work exists finally to bring a person to see clearly, and a practice that never leads there has stopped short of its purpose.