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Chapter 18
Link:—The Lord defines, the Sattvika intellect.
pravrttim ca nivrttim ca karyakarye bhayabhaye
bandharit moksam ca ya vetti buddhih sa partha sattviki
The intellect, which knows the path of action and renunciation, of what ought to be done and what not, of fear and fearlessness, of bondage and liberation—that intetlect, is siittvika (of the nature of goodness), O Partha (Arjuna). 30
Comment:-
Pravrtdm ca nivrttim ca:- Sometimes, a striver is engaged in work, while at another time, he is engaged in adoration and meditation, by renouncing action. His performance of action and adoration or meditation with desire for fruit, is included in work.[1] But, if these are performed without a desire for fruit, both are included, in renunciation and lead to God-realization. So, while performing and renouncing an act, a striver, should expect no reward. If both these are performed, to derive pleasure or joy out of them, they are included in work, and lead to bondage. In other words, in bom the cases individuality persists, it does not get lost. But, if these are performed, for the good of others, both are included in renunciation. In both cases individuality gets lost. So a striver, should follow a path of renunciation, for Self-realization or follow the path of work (Action), by serving all beings, in order to realize God, the illuminator of the two—on the path of work and that of renunciation.
Baryakarye:- Work, which is done according to ordinance of scriptures, consistent with one's caste (Varna) and social order (Asrama), is what ought to be done, while work which is prohibited by scriptures, is that which ought not to be done.
Work which is obligatory and is within our power (capacity), and which leads beings to salvation, is called duty, and it ought to be done. But work which ought not to be done, and which leads to bondage, is not included in duty. We need not do the work, which is beyond our capacity.
Bhayabhaye:- A man should think, of the root of fear and fearlessness. Action, which may cause harm to one's own self, as well as to others, gives birth to fear. But action which is performed, for the welfare of all beings, is likely to cause fearlessness.
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