| 20. Having abandoned
attachment for the fruits of action, ever content, dependent on none, though
engaged in actions, nothing at all does he do.He who has abandoned all concern
for action and all attachment for its results in virtue of the knowledge
of the truth explained above, who is always content, longing for no objects
of senses: who seeks nothing whereby to achieve any end of his (i.e to secure
enjoyments in this birth or the next); who, for want of any selfish end
in view, might give up action with its accessories ; but who finding it
impracticable to get away from action, engages in action as before with
a view to set an example to the world or to avoid the displeasure of the
orthodox,such a man, though engaged in actions, really does nothing at all,
since he is endued with knowledge of the actionless Self. The Sages Action
For Bodily Maintenance.He who, unlike the one just spoken of, has, even
before engaging in action, realized his identity with Brahman (the absolute)
abiding within all as the innermost actionless Self (the Pratyagatman);
who is free from desire for objects of pleasure seen or unseen: and who,
therefore, finding no use in action which is intended to secure such objects
of pleasure, renounces all action with accessories, except what is necessary
for the bare bodily maintenance; such a devotee, steady in his devotion
to knowledge, is liberated. To teach this, the Lord says: |
