Anyone who sees inaction in action and action in inaction is distinguished by his intelligence, and although engaged in all kinds of acts, he is on a purely spiritual level.
He who, in action, has freed himself from all desire for material enjoyment, can be considered as solidly established in knowledge. From him the sages claim that the fire of perfect knowledge has reduced to ashes the consequences of his actions. Completely detached from the fruit of his actions, always satisfied and autonomous, he does not act materially, although he is continually active. The man thus enlightened perfectly masters his mind and his intelligence. He renounces all sense of possession and acts only to meet his strict basic needs. Thus, neither sin nor the consequences of sin touch him. The one who, freed from duality and envy, sees failure and success in the same eye, satisfied with what comes naturally to him, this one, although he acts, never gets bogged down. The actions of one who, firm in absolute knowledge, is not under the influence of the three gunas, are purely spiritual, performed for the sole satisfaction of Yajna [Krishna]. The man fully absorbed by Krishna consciousness is assured of attaining the eternal kingdom, for his acts are all purely spiritual, and through oblation and offering they partake of the absolute.
L he man acting in accordance with the principles of Krishna consciousness is the highest, the most perfect of spiritualists and mystics. But Krishna's devotees are not alone in offering sacrifices. There are also people who intend them for divine beings, or for the Supreme Impersonal Spiritual Being [only aspect of God known to believers on earth]. Depending on the nature of their recipients, these sacrifices come in different forms, but this diversity is superficial, since all sacrifice ultimately goes to the Supreme Lord, Krishna.
Some sacrifice hearing and other senses in the fire of the mastered mind, and others offer the sound and other sense objects to the fire of the sacrifice.
Those who desire to attain spiritual realization through the mastery of the senses and the mind, offer in sacrifice in the fire of the mastered mind, the activities with all their senses and their vital breath
Others, enlightened by the sacrifice of their material goods and by great austerities, make strict vows and adopt eight-phase yoga. Still others study the Vedas to acquire absolute knowledge. Some also seek exhilaration in the mastery of respiratory functions. They practice melting the exhaled breath into the inspired breath, then the reverse. They thus manage to stop all breathing and experience ecstasy. Some still, restricting their food, sacrifice in themselves the exhaled breath.
Among them, all those who know the purpose of the sacrifice are freed from the chains of karma. Having tasted the nectar of the fruits of the sacrifice, they reach the supreme spheres of eternity.