BhagavadGita Part5

PATH OF RENUNCIATION

Arjun said: O Krishn, You praise transcendental knowledge (Saamkhya, Karm-samnyaas) and also performance of selfless service (KarmaYog). Tell me, definitely, which one is the better of the two. (See also 5.05) (5.01) The Supreme Lord said: The path of Self-knowledge (Karm-samnyaas) and the path of selfless service (KarmaYog, Seva) both lead to the supreme goal. But, of the two, KarmaYog is superior to Karm-samnyaas. (5.02) A person should be considered a true Samnyaasi (Renunciant) who neither likes nor dislikes. One is easily liberated from Karmic bondage by becoming free from the pairs of opposites, O Arjun. (5.03) 

Both paths lead to the Supreme

The ignorant --- not the wise --- consider the path of Self-knowledge (Karm-samnyaas) and the path of selfless service (KarmaYog) as different from each other. The person who has truly mastered one, gets the benefits of both. (5.04) Whatever goal a renunciant (Samnyaasi) reaches, a KarmaYogi also reaches the same goal. Therefore, the one who sees the path of renunciation and the path of unselfish work as the same, really sees. (See also 6.01 and 6.02) (5.05) But, true renunciation (Samnyaas), O Arjun, is difficult to attain without KarmaYog. A sage equipped with KarmaYog quickly attains Brahm. (See also 4.31, and 4.38) (5.06) A KarmaYogi whose mind is pure, whose mind and senses are under control, and who sees one and the same Eternal Being (Brahm) in all beings, is not bound by Karm though engaged in work. (5.07) 

A KarmaYogi works for God

The wise (or Samnyaasi) who knows the truth thinks: "I do nothing at all". In seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, walking, sleeping, breathing; and speaking, giving, taking, as well as opening and closing the eyes, a Samnyaasi believes that only the senses are operating upon their objects. (See also 3.27, 13.29, and 14.19) (5.08-09) One who does all work as an offering to the Lord --- abandoning selfish attachment to the results --- remains untouched by Karmic reaction or sin as a lotus leaf never gets wet by water. (5.10) The KarmaYogis perform action ---without selfish attachment --- with their body, mind, intellect, and senses only for the sake of self-purification. (5.11) A KarmaYogi attains Supreme Bliss by abandoning attachment to the fruits of work; while others, who are attached to the fruits of work, become bound by selfish work. (5.12) 

The path of Self-knowledge

A person who has completely renounced the fruits of all works, lives happily, neither performing nor directing any action. (5.13) The Lord neither creates the urge for action, nor the feeling of doership, nor the attachment to the results of action in people. All these are done by the powers (Gunas) of Nature. (5.14) The Lord does not take the responsibility for the good or evil deeds of anybody. The Self-knowledge becomes covered by the veil of ignorance, thereby people become deluded (and do evil deeds). (5.15) Transcendental knowledge destroys the ignorance of the Self and reveals the Supreme just as the sun reveals the beauty of objects of the world. (5.16) Persons whose mind and intellect are totally merged in Eternal Being (Brahm), who are firmly devoted to Brahm, who have Brahm as their supreme goal and sole refuge, and whose impurities are destroyed by the knowledge of Brahm, do not take birth again. (5.17) 

Additional marks of an enlightened person

An enlightened person (by perceiving the Lord in all) looks at a learned and humble priest, an outcast, even a cow, an elephant, or a dog with an equal eye. (See also 6.29) (5.18) Everything has been accomplished in this very life by the one whose mind is set in equality. Such a person has realized the Eternal Being (Brahm), because the Eternal Being is flawless and impartial. (See also 18.55) (5.19) One who neither rejoices on obtaining what is pleasant, nor grieves on obtaining the unpleasant, who has a steady mind, who is undeluded, and who is a knower of Eternal Being (Brahm), such a person eternally abides with Brahm. (5.20) Such a person who is in union with the Eternal Being (Brahm) becomes unattached to external sensual pleasures by discovering the joy of the Self through contemplation, and enjoys transcendental bliss. (5.21) Sensual pleasures are, in truth, the source of misery, and have a beginning and an end. Therefore the wise, O Arjun, does not rejoice in sensual pleasures. (See also 18.38) (5.22) One who is able to withstand the impulse of lust and anger before death is a yogi, and a happy person. (5.23) One who finds happiness with the Eternal Being (Brahm), who rejoices Brahm within, and who is illuminated by Self-knowledge; such a yogi attains BrahmNirvan, and goes to the Supreme Being (ParBrahm). (5.24) Seers whose sins (or imperfections) are destroyed, whose doubts have been dispelled by Self-knowledge (Jnaan), whose minds are disciplined, and who are engaged in the welfare of all beings, attain the Supreme Being (ParBrahm). (5.25) They who are free from lust and anger, who have subdued the mind and senses, and who have known the Self, easily attain BrahmNirvan. (5.26) 

The third path --- the path of devotional meditation and contemplation

A sage is, in truth, liberated by renouncing all sense enjoyments, fixing the eyes and the mind (at an imaginary black dot) between the eye brows, equalizing the breath moving through the nostrils (by Kriyaa techniques), keeping the senses, mind, and intellect under control, having salvation (Mukti) as the prime goal, and becoming free from lust, anger, and fear. (5.27-28) My devotee attains peace by knowing Me (or Krishn, the Supreme Being (ParBrahm)) as the enjoyer of sacrifices and austerities, as the great Lord of all the universe, and the friend of all beings. (5.29)