Srimad Bhagavad Gita -Ramanujacharya 141

Srimad Bhagavad Gita -Ramanujacharya

Chapter-4 Jñāna Vibhāga Yogaḥ

Sri Krishna explains what must be known in regard to action and non-action:— karmaṇya karma yaḥ paśyed akarmaṇi ca karma yaḥ | sa buddhimān manuṣyeṣu sa yuktaḥ kṛtsna karma-kṛt || 18 || 18. He who sees non-action in action and also action in non-action is wise among people. He is fit for liberation and has concluded all actions. Commentary Here by the term 'non-action', Self-realisation, which is the subject under discussion, is meant. 'He who sees non-action in action and also action in non-action,' refers to one who has attained Self-realisation while engaged in action, and who can also perceive action while engaged in non-action, ie., in the state of mindfulness of the ātman. The purport is this: — One can perceive, by constant reflection on the true nature of the ātman, that the work being done, is in itself a form of wisdom-practice. One can also perceive that this wisdom-practice is an integral part of Karma Yoga. Both these (ie., action as the practice of wisdom and wisdom manifest in actions) are accomplished through reflection on the true nature of the ātman, even while acting. Thus, one who can see action as being included in contemplation on the ātman, is wise, — he has realised the full meaning of the Śāstras; he is worthy and fit to attain Mokṣa. He alone has concluded all actions, that is, has actualised the goal of the entire Shastric teaching.