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Chapter 12
Appendix:- Practice, knowledge of scriptures and meditation—these three means are `karanasapeksa' (dependent on instruments), but renunciation of the fruit of action is `karananirapeksa' (independent of instruments). The reason for declaration that the renunciation of the fruit is better, is that people regard it as inferior to other spiritual disciplines. It does not mean that renunciation of the fruit is superior to the other three means. But in fact all the four means are highly good and are for those strivers who aim at renunciation.
In the four means mentioned in this verse, the means 'madarthamapi karmani' (performance of actions for God's sake) mentioned in the tenth verse, has not been included. The reason is that in `madarthamapi karmani' the spiritual discipline culminates in devotion. Therefore devotion and renunciation—both are highly good means.
Here the renunciation of the fruit of action should mean renunciation of the desire for the fruit of action. Desire is internal while renunciation of the fruit of action is external. Even when the fruit for action is renounced, the desire within may linger. Therefore a striver should aim at the renunciation of the desire for the fruit of action. When the desire is renounced, the striver is delivered from the wheel of birth and death. Salvation is not attained by renouncing things but it is attained by renouncing desires.
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