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Bhagvad-Gita: Treatise of self-help

by BS Murthy

                                                                      <<Back to Chapter 4

Chapter -5: Art of Renunciation

 This chapter of 29 slokas, known as karma sanyaasa yoga, Renunciation of Action, is in response to Arjuna’s plea at the beginning of the chapter, ‘Pray be clear, as Thee aver / Act n  give up in selfsame breath’ Lord Krishna sets the tone for self-help in this chapter with the opening statement, 'Give up all n thou be freed / So’s the case with selfless work/ But know latter scores much better'.  

S18 avers the Omnipresence of the Supreme in Brahmans, cows, elephants, dogs and dog eaters. This tasteless description could be but an interpolation as it is so ill behoves the Lord’s eloquence and sophistication of expression seen throughout. Incidentally, the succeeding s19 makes it clear that whoever recognizes Him in all beings attains the Supreme State in life itself. It may be noted that s29 and s30 of next chapter also run along the same lines. S27-s28 that deal with yogic practices and s29, which  asserts the Supreme as the beneficiary of sacrificial rituals are but interpolation for reasons that bear no repetition.    

1     

Thus spoke Arjuna:

Pray be clear, as Thee aver

Act ’n give up in selfsame breath.  

2     

Thus spoke the Lord:

Give up all ’n thou be freed

So is the case with selfless work

But know latter scores much better.

3

Wise neither want, nor they shun

That’s how they give up ever engaged.

4     

Way action ’n path learning 

Know not ignorant not different.

5     

Work highway ’n lane freedom

Know the learned are the same.

6     

What thou forego if thee cease

Deeds selfless make acts forsake.

7     

Such one realized

Self-willed, dutiful

Within self remains

Without ever engaged.

8     

Privy to this will realize

On his body as it works

Say hath he none to name one. 

9

Wise do realize needs physical

Urges are they driven by genes. 

10   

Spreads on lotus leaves as water

Sticks none sin of deeds duteous.

11

Wise in selfless work engage

Forego while they self-purify. 

12

Wise ever stay cool never in want

Bog down but naive ever in want.

13   

Covetous not ’n ever laid back

Wise in tune with Supreme lay. 

14   

It’s his nature, not the Spirit 

Makes man act by wants induced.

15   

Takes not Supreme credit or fault 

Grasp none have of this uncouth.

16   

He that keeps his bias at bay 

Sun-like he shines being wise.

17   

In clear conscience ’n fairness

Gives man freedom faith in Him

19   

Keeps who equity ever in thought  

Faultless being attains he Brahman.

20   

In state Brahman,

Gloats never man as smiles fortune  

Nor loses heart when things go wrong.

21   

Joys induced all tire one soon 

Stay self-joyous all blissful souls.

22   

End as in grief joys of flesh

Go not wise for pleasures such brief.

23   

Subdue lust ’n rein in wrath

Leads that to thy state of joy. 

24   

Live in ease the true knowing

Enjoy they all within themselves.

25   

With pure intent sans ill-will

Realized all reach State Supreme.   

26   

Unmoved by his mind subdued

Stays ever free the self-realized.

 

Ends thus:

Art of Renunciation,

The Fifth Chapter 

Of Bhagavad-Gita,

Treatise of self-help.

(cont...)

<<Back to Chapter 4

Introduction  Chapter 1   Chapter 2    Chapter 3    Chapter 4   

Chapter 5    Chapter 6  Chapter 7  Chapter 8    Chapter 9  

Chapter 10 Chapter 11   Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 

Chapter 15  Chapter 16  Chapter 17  Chapter 18

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