Verse-30
Chapter 18 — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
Verse 30
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
pravṛttiṁ ch nivṛttiṁ ch kāryākārye bhayābhaye
bandhaṁ mokṣaṁ ch yā vetti buddhiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī
🕉 English Translation
Kahan lagna hatna kahan se mujhe,
Karna na karna kya mere liye.
Bhay aur abhay bandh mukti mein bhi,
Kare bhed jo buddhi hai satvic ki.
📜 Translation
English
O Parth! The intellect which knows in essence action and withdrawal of action, what ought to be done and what ought not to be done, fear and fearlessness and also bondage and liberation-that intellect is of satvic nature.
The intellect is the most important part of life. Though like the ears, nose, eyes, mouth etc. Yet it is not a solid gross organ, and is just a decisive and discriminative power. But without the right working of the intellect, the entire system of life can stagger and fall to pieces. That is why it is extremely necessary to understand the nature of the intellect rightly. If the intellect makes the right decisions, then life will also move in the right direction. Amongst the three distinctions of the intellect first of all in the form of an awakened intellect is the description of the satvic intellect.
Action and abstinence from action are the two paths. Outwardly it is good. If one gets involved in action after evaluation and refrains from action with discrimination and awareness, then even abstinence from action can lead to involvement in it. The intellect which helps distinguish between what ought to be done and what ought not to be done, on performing which the humanity blossoms, on doing which glory is bestowed on the ideal values of life, the actions which make one progress towards the virtuous path and that of self-upliftment-those are actions which ought to be done, are worth engaging in. On the opposite side are the actions which awaken animalistic tendencies, take one towards evil and become the cause of downfall; such actions in any situation are not worth engaging in.
The distinction between fear and fearlessness! Contrary behaviour, evil actions and in which there is neither one's own benefit nor that of others-such actions arouse a feeling of fear. The root cause for fear is distancing oneself from the Lord and the refuge of the Supreme, moving towards Him and in consequence whereof the inspiration to perform virtuous deeds, is the state which gives rise to fearlessness. 'Bandham moksham'-distinction between bondage and liberation. Actions which are done by harboring egoism, clinging and desire for fruit lead to bondage. If while performing action in the divine spirit, the intellect is in the state of surrender, there is nowhere any arrogance, attachment or desire in the mind then life on its own moves towards salvation. The Blessed Lord says-'buddhi sa parth sattviki Arjun'. This kind of intellect is of satvic nature.