Bhagavat Gita - 20

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Bhagavat Gita - 20

 

The harmony of the paths of work and knowledge (Chapter 5 verses 1-7)

 

Feeling confused, Arjuna asks the Lord again: You seem to advocate the

abandonment of all Karma in one breath and in the next praise the

discharge of all actions in a disinterested manner. Which of these two

should I follow for my good?

 

To this Sri Krishna replies: A contemplative life, characterised by the

abandonment of all actions externally too, as also the discharge of all

actions with detachment - are both valid spiritual paths leading to an

identical spiritual goal. As paths they may look different, but in the

end they are the same. There is, however, this important link between

them. Without undergoing the discipline of detached action, it is vain

to abandon all external action; for it will result only in idleness and

hypocrisy. To an average aspirant it is a mere pitfall, while discriminative

wisdom combined with detached action will take him forward gradually.

So it comes to this, that the attainment of detachment in action is the

very essence of spiritual life, and once this is acquired, it is immaterial

whether one abandons actions externally or continues to perform them. For,

one who is truly detached becomes, through that detachment, fit to be

united with the Self of all - the Supreme Being who is the goal of all

spiritual striving. He is no longer affected by action.

 

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Based on " Srimad Bhagavat Gita - The Scripture of Mankind "

a translation by Rev Swami Tapasyanandaji, published by

Sri Ramakrishna Math - Chennai. http://www.sriramakrishnamath.org/

 

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