The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of Action

Krishna describes another type of sacrifice: offering sense functions and breath functions into the fire of self-control, kindled by knowledge. 'Jñānadīpite' (illumined by knowledge) means understanding transforms sacrifice—when you know why you're restraining, it becomes offering rather than suppression. 'Ātmasaṁyamayogāgnau' (fire of self-control yoga) means the fire of discipline, but kindled by knowledge, not by force. This verse shows that knowledge (understanding) is the fuel that makes sacrifice meaningful—when you understand why you restrain senses or control breath, it's not suppression but offering. Without knowledge, control feels like deprivation. With knowledge, control becomes sacrifice—giving up the lower for the higher.