Seventeenth Chapter
Those who know the ordinance of the scriptures, and also those who don’t know it, should perform good actions with faith, by thinking of God and by reciting His name. The faith of those who don’t know the ordinance of the scriptures, but perform sacred acts such as sacrifice and worship, is of three kinds of the mode of goodness, of passion and of ignorance. According to their faith, the gods worshipped by them are also of three kinds. The faith of those who don’t perform sacred acts, such as sacrifice and worship, is known by the food they relish, because food is eaten by all men.
Eighteenth Chapter
According to the taste, caliber and faith of a human being, three means i.e. the discipline of action, of knowledge, and of devotion (refuge) have been mentioned for God Realization. Each of them can lead him to God Realization. The real renouncer is he who performs sacrifice, austerity, charity and duty, being free from attachment and the desire for fruit, and who has neither attachment to an agreeable work, nor aversion to a disagreeable work. He neither incurs sin by performing his obligatory duty, nor does he ever receive the fruit of actions. All his doubts are dispelled and he gets established in the self. This is the discipline of action. The person having possessed knowledge, action, understanding (intellect), firmness, and happiness of the mode of goodness, becomes free from the sense of doer-ship, and does not desire to reap the fruit of actions, incurs no sin, even if he kills all beings. By being established in the self, he attains supreme devotion, and having known him in truth, he forthwith enters into Him. This is the discipline of knowledge. A man even while performing his duty wholeheartedly, and scrupulously by depending upon God, by God’s grace attains the immortal state. The man who being solely devoted to Him, mentally resigns all his duties to Him, by God’s grace overcomes all obstacles and difficulties. He who applies himself with his body, mind and senses to God, attains Him. He who renouncing dependence of duties, takes refuge in Him only, with exclusive devotion, is liberated from all sins by Him. This is the discipline of Devotion.
‒ From the book in Hindi ‘Gita Darpan’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji Maharaj
www.swamiramsukhdasji.net, www.swamiramsukhdasji.org
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