| 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. Some philosophers, following the doctrine of the Sankhyas, etc declare
that all action should be given up as an evil, even by those who are fit
for KarmaYoga. ,is an evil: this may be interpreted to mean either that
all Karma should be given up as involving evil since it is the cause of
bondage ; or that it should be given up like passion and other such evil
tendencies. With regard to the same class of persons (viz those who are
fit for KarmaYoga), others say that the acts of sacrifice, gift and austerity
ought not to be abandoned. It is the KarmaYogins that form the subject of
discussion here; and it is with reference to them that these divergent views
are held, but not with reference to the jnananishthas (wisdomdevotees),
the samnyasins who have risen (above all worldly concerns). Those persons
who have been raised above the path of Karma in (iii). are not spoken of
in this connection.(Objection):Just as the persons who are qualified for
works form the subject of discussion herein the section where the whole
doctrine of the sastra is summed up,though their path has already been specified
in iii. 3. so also the Sankhyas, the devotees of wisdom, may also form the
subject of discussion here.answers): No, because of the inconceivability
of their abandoning of duty from delusion or on account of pain. (To explain:
The Sankhyas (men of knowledge) perceive in the Self no pain whatever arising
from bodily trouble, since desire, pain, etc, are said to be the attributes
of Kshetra or matter. Wherefore they do not abandon action for fear of bodily
trouble and pain. Neither do they perceive action in the Self. |
