| 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.Those actions, &c: the acts
of worship, gift and austerity which have been said to be purifiers, should
be performed, setting aside attachment for them and abandoning their fruits.A
proposition was started in the words, Learn from Me the truth about this
(xviii. 4) and as a reason for it, it has been stated that worship, etc
are the purifiers: .so that the words even those actions should be performed
.this is My firm and highest belief form a mere conclusion of the proposition
started in xviii. Even those actions should be performed. cannot be a fresh
proposition: for, it is better to construe the passage as related to the
immediate subject of the present section. The word even implies that these
actions should be performed by a seeker of liberation, though they form
the cause of bondage in the case of one who has an attachment for the actions
and a desire for their fruits, The words even those cannot certainly refer
to actions other (than the acts of worship, etc.) But others explain: Since
obligatory (nitya) actions bear no fruits, it is not right to speak of setting
aside attachment and the fruits: Therefore in the words even those actions
etc the Lord teaches that even those works which are intended to secure
objects of desirei.e even kamaya or interested works, as opposed to nitya
or obligatory worksshould be performed ; how much more then the obligatory
acts of worship, gift and austerity It is wrong to say so ; for it has been
declared here that even obligatory actions are productive of fruits, in
the words worship, gift and austerity are the purifiers of the wise (xviii.
5). |
