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Chapter 17
The answer is, that they bear fruit, because whatever action is performed with attachment, bears fruit, even though the doer (agent) does not want it. So, people of demoniac nature, go to demoniac wombs, and to hell.
Any simple and insignificant act, if it is performed, without expecting any reward, for the Lord's sake, becomes 'Sat', and leads to God-realization. But, if an important act, such as sacrifice and penance, is performed with faith, and according to the ordinance of the scriptures in expectation of reward, it perishes, by bearing fruit and does not lead to God-realization. If an act is performed without faith, it becomes 'Asat' i.e., it does not bear any fruit, here or hereafter. It means, that in God-realization it is faith (feelings), not an act, which has predominance.
Sadbhava (existence of God), Sadhubhava (noble dispositions of the mind), noble deeds, steadfastness in 'Sat', and actions for the sake of the Supreme—these five are called Sat', as these are conducive to God-realization.
Why do acts without faith become 'Asat'? The Lord, by His grace has described virtuous actions, in the scriptures, so that a man by performing these, may attain God-realization. But those actions turn to be 'Asat', when these are performed without faith. Their faithlessness should induce the people to hell etc., but because actions performed by them, are good (virtuous), so their actions are of no avail, i.e., they do not bear any fruit, and this is punishment, for such people.
It is proper, on the part of a man, that he should perform acts of sacrifice, penance, gift and pilgrimage etc., which are sanctioned by scriptures, with faith, having no expectation for fruit. The Lord, by His special grace, has bestowed upon us this human body, so that we may perform virtuous actions, with faith for the Lord's sake. Those actions, will prove to be useful for the welfare of all beings, here as well as, hereafter. So, such noble actions should be performed with faith, in order to please God.
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