Contents
Shri Sankara's Gita Bhashya
(Sri Sankaracharya's Commentary on the Gita)
CHAPTER -4
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12. Longing for success in actions, here, (men) worship the gods. Because success, resulting from action, is quickly attained in the human world. Longing for success in actions, soliciting the accomplishment of the fruit of actions, here, in this world, men worship the gods, Indra, Agni and others, as the Śruti says: "He , on the other hand, who worships a god different (from the Self), with the idea,' he is separate from me and I am separate from him ', he knows not he is to the Devas as cattle "[1]. Indeed, by those who are intent after fruits, and worship gods (as) different (from their Self) (for the attainment of those fruits), success is quickly attained in the human world, because the injunctions of the Śāstras are confined to the world of human beings only. By this, (by saying: "quickly" in the human world) the Lord indicates that, even in other worlds, there is attainment of the results of action (though not quickly). The difference is that in the world of men, the performance of action is regulated by the institution of castes and religious orders; and success resulting from action, the fruit of actions performed by persons duly authorised in accordance with the rules of castes and religious orders, is quickly attained. Question: What is the reason for the law that, only in the world of men, the performance of actions is regulated by the institution of castes and religious orders etc., but not in other worlds? Or, rather; it has been stated that, men classified according to castes and religious orders, etc. follow Thy ('My' in the text) path in all ways; for what reason should they necessarily follow Thy path alone, but not that of any other? The answer is: |
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References and Context
- ↑ Br. l-iv-10