Gita Bhashya -Sankara 155

Shri Sankara's Gita Bhashya

(Sri Sankaracharya's Commentary on the Gita)

CHAPTER -4

Evam jñātva krtam karma purvair-api mutnuksubhih Kuru karmaiva tasmāt-tvam pūrvaih pūrvataram krtam 15. Knowing thus, was action performed even by the ancient seekers after liberation. Do you, there­ fore, surely perform action, as did the ancients in olden times. Knowing thus, was action performed even by the ancient seekers after liberation. Do you, therefore, for that reason, i.e. because action was performed by the ancients even, surely perform action: neither sitting-quiet nor renunciation-of-action should be resorted to (by you); If you have not known the Self, (perform action) for the purification of (your) mind; if you know the truth about the Self, for the guidance of the world-as did the ancients, such as Janaka, in olden times: this (course of conduct) is not of recent origin. (To Arjuna's enquiry,) "Here, if action must be performed, I shall do so merely at Thy command; why dost Thou qualify it by saying' as did the ancients in olden times?'",—(the Lord replies:) because, there is great difficulty (in understanding) about (what constitutes) action. How?