Gita Bhashya -Sankara 101

Shri Sankara's Gita Bhashya

(Sri Sankaracharya's Commentary on the Gita)

CHAPTER -3

Objection - Obligatory rites must be performed in order to avoid (the) sin (of non-performance). Reply - No; because the sin (of non-performance) is incurred only by one who is not a samnyāsin For non-worship of Agni (the sacred fire) etc., It is surely not possible to ascribe sin to the samnyāsin, in the way non-samnyāsins and karmins, such as Brahmacārins and grhasthas, would incur it. And, indeed, it is in­ conceivable that sin, a reality (bhāva-rūpa) can arise from mere non-performance (abhāva) of obligatory duties'; for the Śruti, "How can existence arise out of non-existence?" teaches the impossibility of an existent being produced out of a non-existent. If (it be urged that) the Veda can declare even that which is nconceivable," namely the incurring of sin through non­ performance of obligatory duty, then it would signify that the Veda is productive of harm and hence of no authority, in as much as the performance and the non-performance of obligatoty duties would both result in unhappiness. And further, the unreasonable thesis would have been set up that the Śāstra is creative (kāraka) and not indicative (jñāpaka -which is acceptable to none. Therefore, (it is conculded that) works (karmas) are not (enjoined) for samnyāsins ; and hence the incompatibility of the simultaneous combination of Knowledge and action. Also, because Arjuna's question, "If it be considered by Thee that Knowledge is superior to action, etc." (III-l) will become inapt; for, if the Lord had taught him in the second chapter that he should practise Knowledge and also engage in works simultane­ ously.