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Chapter 2
Link:-In the thirty-ninth verse, Lord Krsna asks Arjuna to listen to the discourse on an even mind. In the next verse He orders him to perform his duty in order to attain that equanimity (evenness of mind).
karmanyevadhikaraste ma phalesu kadacana
ma karmaphalaheturbhurma te sango'stvakarmani
Your right is only to perform your duty, but never to claim its fruit. Do not be the cause of the fruit of action nor let your attachment be for inaction. 47
Comment:-
Karmanyevadhikaraste:-Your right is to perform your duty, you are free in it, because no other bodies as those of animals and birds etc., are free to perform new actions. Only human beings are eligible to perform new actions. The gods can perform new actions and can bestow money and material upon human beings, according to the ordinance of the Lord but they are so steeped in enjoyment, that it is not possible for them to perform new actions. They are destined only to reap the fruit of their meritorious deeds. The creatures in hell also cannot perform new actions as they suffer the fruits of their actions. God has bestowed this human birth, the very last of all births so that by performing new actions in the form of selfless service to others, a person may achieve salvation and be freed from the bondage of the cycle of birth and death. If he remains engaged in selfish actions, these will result in bondage. In case he is given to indolence and heedlessness, he will follow a cycle of birth and death. Therefore, the Lord advises human beings, to render selfless services for common good.
The term 'Karmani has been used in singular number, to emphasize the fact that though man has to perform several duties in his life, he can perform only one at a particular time. Arjuna, belonging to the warrior class, has several duties, such as fighting, generosity and bravery etc., but presently he could perform only one of these—to wage the war.
A Vital Fact
In the births of others i.e., those of birds, animals, insects and even gods, the creatures can reap the fruits of their actions but cannot perform new actions. However there are two mings about human life viz., reaping the fruits of deeds of earlier lives, and secondly performing new ones. God has bestowed upon man this human body, so that by performing new virtuous actions without having a desire for their fruits, he may attain God-realization or salvation. As far as the foot of his previous actions is concerned, it may come in the form of favourable and unfavourable circumstances. He cannot change those circumstances, but can make proper use of these and these can lead him to salvation, if he uses these properly.
An important fact, which needs attention, is that favourable or unfavourable circumstances cannot make a man happy or sad. It is merely his ignorance, which makes him happy or sad as he identifies himself with those circumstances and becomes the experiencer of happiness or sadness. If he gives a serious thought, he will come to know that the extemal circumstances cannot make his internal self, either happy or sad. He should make proper use of the favourable circumstances by serving others and of the undesirable ones, by renouncing the desire to enjoy pleasure.
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