The Yoga of Action · 3.16

The Wheel of Sacrifice

एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः | अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति ||

evaṁ pravartitaṁ cakraṁ nānuvartayatīha yaḥ | aghāyur indriyārāmo moghaṁ pārtha sa jīvati

Translation

O Partha, one who does not follow in this life the wheel of sacrifice thus set in motion lives in vain, devoted to the gratification of the senses.

Word by word

Krishna describes the "chakra": the wheel or cycle of sacrifice that sustains creation. The universe runs on reciprocal giving: humans offer to the gods through yajna (sacrifice/service)
: the gods send rain
: rain nourishes crops
crops sustain life. One who simply consumes without contributing: living only for sensory pleasure — breaks this sacred cycle and lives in vain.