एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः | अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति ||१६||
evaṁ pravartitaṁ chakraṁ nānuvartayatīha yaḥ aghāyur indriyārāmo moghaṁ pārtha sa jīvati
Translation
My dear Arjuna, one who does not follow in human life the cycle of sacrifice thus established by the Vedas certainly lives a life full of sin. Living only for the satisfaction of the senses, such a person lives in vain.
Interpretation
The one who does not participate in the cosmic cycle of yajna lives in 'agha' (sin, pollution) and lives for nothing ('mogham jīvati' — lives in vain). Sense-gratification without contribution to the larger whole is the definition of a wasted life. The Gita's ethics are ultimately about participation in the cosmic order, not mere personal salvation.