Gita Bhashya -Sankara 27

Shri Sankara's Gita Bhashya

(Sri Sankaracharya's Commentary on the Gita)

CHAPTER -2

In like manner, it is natural for all beings whose mind is over­ come by the evils of sorrow, delusion, etc., to abandon their pre­ scribed duties and take to those which are prohibited. Even when occupied in their own duty, their behaviour in speech, thought, deed, etc., is motivated only by the desire for fruits and is propelled by egotism". This being the case, by reason of the (consequent) accession J of merit and demerit, satksāra, characterised by the acquisition of desirable and undersirabie births as well as the concomitant ex­ perience of pleasure and pain becomes never-ending. Sorrow and delusion are thus seen to be the seed of samsara. And their cessation cannot be encompassed except through Self-Knowledge preceded by complete renunciation of all work. Therefore, with a view to imparting it (Self-Knowledge) for the benefit of all mankind,, the blessed Lord, Vasudeva, using Arjuna as the instrumental cause for instruction, began His teaching with the words, "Those who should not be mourned for". On this subject, some (opponents) say—Beatitude canuot at all be obtained by mere devotion to (i.e., steadfast practice of) SelfKnowledge preceded by complete renunciation of all work. How then? The attainment of Beatitude is through knowledge asso­ ciated with works, such as the Agniliotra prescribed in Śruti and Smrti as is the settled import of the entire teaching of the Gila gospel. As supporting this view, they cite the texts—"But if you refuse to engage in this righteous warfare...", "Your right is to work alone", "Do you, therefore, surely, perform action"(IV-15), etc. The misgiving that Vedic ritual is productive of sin, because it is associated with killing and the like, should not be entertained. Why? Because, holding that war is the busi­ ness and the inherent duty of the Ksatriya and cannot there­ fore be unrighteous, even though it involves cruelty to elders,