Chapter 5 — Karma Sanyasa Yoga

Verse 12
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka

yuktaḥ karmaphalaṁ tyaktvā śāntimāpnoti naişthikīm

ayuktaḥ kāmakāreņa phale sakto nibadhyate

🕉 English Translation

Karma yogi phal iccha ko chod kar,

Paa letaa hai param shanti magar.

Sakami purusha karta phal iccha jo,

Karmo ke bandhan mein aa jata woh.

📜 Translation English

The man of yoga of action by giving up the fruit of works attains the peace of divinity and the person impelled by desire. attached to fruit gets bound.

💬 Commentary English

The style of using the contrasts of approval and disapproval to explain is the uniqueness of the Gita. Both aspects are put forward simultaneously. It becomes easy to decide. What is right and what is wrong? What is beneficial or what is harmful? The matter becomes clear in thoughts. In one single verse both aspects of gain or loss have been described.

The meaning of renunciation of fruits is giving up of the desire for it. Desire is the cause of restlessness. If the object of desire is not attained then dejection is bound to be there. Even if it is accomplished then the happiness attained is temporary, because the object itself has no permanence. Not limited this, as the continuance of desires is there, they will keep on multiplying and life will approach its end; unfulfilled desires will keep one circulating in the cycle of birth and death. This is what is called bondage. As long as action is done with a selfish objective and desire for fruits, this bondage will persist. Just think what has been attained by hankering for the fruits of action-one times dejection, at other times dilemma, uncertainty in decision, peacelessness; even if happiness was attained the outcome of it would again be sorrow!

Accept the positive side! Permanent, ever lasting peace lies in abandonment of the desire for fruits and desire-motivated actions. The fulfilment of desires is not in our hands. This is not in our control. The One in whose hands it lies, leave everything to that Supreme. Perform actions without motives. In the inner state there should be feelings for the divine. Whatever will be the Will of the Lord that shall be my desire. Just observe whether peace is experienced naturally without any effort on your part or not. There is no question if it's not happening. 'Shantimapnoti naisthikim'-peace will be yours and that too supreme and eternal! For the man of action it is a natural attainment, a divine unearthly gift! But what will the Sankhya Yogi gain? What will be his state? Let us see.

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