Moksha-samnyasa Yoga

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ARJUNA SAID:

 

1. 'Of Samnyasa' O Mighty-armed, I desire to know the truth, O Hrishikesa, as

also of 'tyaga', severally, O Slayer of Kesin.

 

THE BLESSED LORD SAID:

 

2. Sages understand 'Samnyasa' to be the renouncement of interested works; the

abandonment of the fruits of all works, the learned declare, is 'tyaga'.

 

3. That action should be abandoned as an evil, some philosophers declare; while

others (declare) that acts of sacrifice, gift and austerity should not be given

up.

 

4. Learn from Me the truth about this abandonment, O best of the Bharatas;

abandonment, verily, O best of men, has been declared to be of three kinds.

 

5. Practice of worship, gift and austerity should not be given up; it is quite

necessary; worship, gift and austerity are the purifiers of the wise.

 

6. But even those actions should be performed, setting aside attachment and the

fruits; this, O son of Pritha, is My firm and highest belief.

 

7. Verily, the abandonment of an obligatory duty is not proper; the abandonment

thereof from ignorance is declared to be Tamasic.

 

8. Whatever act one may abandon because it is painful, from fear of bodily

trouble, he practises Rajasic abandonment and he shall obtain no fruit whatever

of abandonment.

 

9. Whatever obligatory work is done, by Arjuna, merely because it ought to be

done, by abandoning attachment and also the fruit, that abandonment is deemed to

be Sattvic.

 

10. He hates not evil action, nor is he attached, to a good one - he who has

abandoned, pervaded by Sattva and possessed of wisdom, his doubts cut asunder.

 

to be continued...