Pujya Ramsukhdasji Maharaj

[Guest guest]

Equanimity through Action

 

In Chapter III of Gita, Arjuna says " O Krishna ! If you consider

equanimity superior to action, then why do you urge me toward this

dreadful action? At times you ask me to perform action, while other

times you ask me to rely on knowledge. From receiving these

conflicting instructions from you, my mind and intellect are

perplexed. Therefore tell me, the path that will with certainty lead

me to my salvation. (Gita 3:1,2)

 

Lord said - Oh! Sinless Arjuna! In this world, two courses of

spiritual discipline have been enunciated by Me in the past. In the

case of Sankhya yogi, spiritual discipline proceeds along the path

of knowledge, whereas, in the case of Karma yogi, it proceeds along

the path of Action. In other words, with both, the Path of Knowledge

(Jnana Yog) and Path of Discipline (Karma Yog), the result is the

same - attainment of equanimity. (Gita 3:3)

 

Question: To attain that equanimity, is it essential to perform

action?

Lord Krishna: Yes, action is essential, because that equanimity is

neither attained without entering into actions, nor merely by

renunciation of actions. (Gita 3:4)

 

Question: Why is it not attained by renunciation of actions?

None can ever remain without actions (actionless) even for a single

moment, for everyone is helplessly driven to action by nature-born

qualities (modes). Then how can a being renounce actions? (Gita 3:5)

 

Question: If a man sits silently without doing anything at all, is

it not renunciation of actions?

No. The deluded man who outwardly controls the organs of actions,

but sits mentally dwelling on object of senses is called a hypocrite

and his activity is not considered the renunciation of action. (Gita

3:6)