Gita Bhashya -Sankara 133

Shri Sankara's Gita Bhashya

(Sri Sankaracharya's Commentary on the Gita)

CHAPTER -3

Indriyasyendriyasyārtha rāga-dvesau vyavasthitau Tayor-na vaśamāgacchet-tau hyasya paripan- thinau 34. Attachment and aversion of each sense for its (respective) object are natural: let no man come under their sway ; for, they are his foes. Attachment and aversion of each sense for its (respective) object, i.e. of all the senses for their respective objects, such as sound etc., with respect to the object of each sense, attachment for the desirable and aversion to the undesirable, are natural, inevitable. The scope for human effort and for the Śāstra (Teaching) in this matter is now being explained: One who embarks on follow­ ing the teaching of the Śāstra should, even at the commencement, not fall under the sway of attachment and aversion. Verily, that which is the 'nature' of a person goads him on to its business only through attachment and aversion; then, neglect of his own duty and undertaking the duty of another follows. When, on the other hand, one restrains attachment and aversion through their adver­ sary, then that man betakes himself to the scriptural point ot view alone and does not fall under the sway of (his) nature. Where­fore, let no man come under their sway, i.e. of attachment andaversion. For, they are his, man's foes: they are obstructions onhis path to perfection, like robbers (on the highway).