||ShriHari||
Margshirsh Krishna Panchami, Vikram Samvat 2077, Shanivar
December 5, 2020, Saturday
दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनंजय ।
बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणाः फलहेतवः ॥४९॥
dūreṇa hy avaraṁ karma, buddhi-yogād dhanañ-jaya
buddhau śaranam anviccha, kṛpaṇāḥ phala-hetavaḥ
O Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), action performed with a selfish motive is far inferior to that which is performed with the equanimity of mind (Budhi-Yoga). Therefore, seek refuge in Budhi-yoga (evenness of mind) for wretched are those who crave for the fruits of action. 49
Comment – An action with a selfish motive is far inferior to the one performed with the equanimity of mind. These two cannot be compared to each other. The reason is that, the Yoga stays the same all the time, (imperishable) while the action has a beginning and an end (perishable). Therefore, one should take refuge in Karmayoga only and not in the ordinary action. Yoga cannot be attained through actions, rather it can be attained by performing actions while severing all relationship with the action and the fruits of actions. Performing actions ordinarily gives rise to birth and death and performing actions with the attitude of Yoga results in liberation.
बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते ।
तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योगः कर्मसु कौशलम् ॥५०॥
buddhi-yukto jahātīha, ubhe sukṛta-duṣkṛte
tasmād yogāya yujyasva, yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam
One who is endowed with Budhi*-Yoga (Samatā or equanimity) frees himself in this very life from both the virtue and vice alike; therefore, be established in Yoga (equanimity); devote yourself to Yoga, because (the practice of this) Yoga is skill in action. 50
Comment – One who is established in equanimity is not bound by virtue or vice while living in this world, just like a lotus flower stays in water but does not get wet. This is Mukti (Mokṣa or liberation).
In the previous verse, it was stated that ordinary action is inferior compared to action performed with equanimity of mind, therefore the action should be performed while established in Samta (equanimity), which means doing actions according to Karmyoga. The importance is of equanimity and not of the actions. The power to do the ultimate good is in Yoga (Karmyoga) and not in actions.
* (Budhi, Yoga and Budhi-yoga, these three terms have been used in Gītā for Karmayoga only).
From Gita Prabodhani (in English), by Shradhey Swamiji Shri Ramsukhdasji Maharaj, publisher – Gita Prakashan (www.gitaprakashan.com)
www.swamiramsukhdasji.net www.swamiramsukhdasji.org http://www.satcharcha.blogspot.com/ (hindi messages)
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