Srimad Bhagavadgita-Rahasya OR Karma-Yoga-Sastra -Bal Gangadhar Tilak
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CHAPTER 18
Description:-Therefore, the Gita says that, it is not proper for a person to give up the profession which has befallen him as a result of his status-in-life (adhikara), and take up the profession of somebody else, on the ground that it is better. Whatever profession is taken, there is bound to be some weak point or other in it. For instance, that 'ksanti' (forgiveness), which is considered to be specially proper for a Brahmin[1], has attached to it the great fault that "a person, who is forgiving, is looked upon as weak"[2]; and it is a misfortune that one has to sell flesh, if he follows the business of a butcher [3]; but it is not proper, on that account, to give up these Actions. When once one has accepted a particular Action as one's own, for whatever reason one may have done so[4], one must perform it unattachedly, however difficult or undesirable it might be; because, the greatness or smallness of a man does not depend on the profession he follows; and his worth, from the spiritual point of view, depends on the frame of mind with which he follows that profession or performs that Action[5]. Though a man, having a peaceful mind and having realised the Unity, which underlies the entire creation, may be a merchant or a butcher, whether by caste or by profession, yet, if he follows his profession with a desireless frame of mind, he is as much entitled to Release, and is as great as the Brahmin, who is engaged in ablutions and religious duties, or the brave warrior. Not only is this so, but it is clearly stated in stanza 49, that the Release to be obtained by abandoning Action is equally well obtained by persons, who perform their various duties with a desireless frame of mind. This is, indeed, the deep principle which underlies the Bhagavata religion; and it is clear from the history of Maharastriya saints, that it is not impossible to carry into effect this principle of modelling one's conduct accordingly[6]. The Blessed Lord now explains how a man ultimately obtains Release by restricting himself to his own Actions— ] |
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