"It is not what you do that matters, but how you do it – with what attitude and aim. The spiritual effect that a seemingly spiritual activity brings, can also be had by the domestic pursuit, provided you preserve a spiritual attitude and dedication."

The Guiding force of Narayanashrama Tapovanam & Center for Inner Resources Development

Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

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<< Chapter 18 Verse 11 >>
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न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः ।
यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते ॥ १८.११ ॥

na hi deha-bhṛtā śakyam tyaktum karmāṇy-aśeṣata: |
yas-tu karma-phala-tyāgī sa tyāgīty-abhidhīyate || 18.11 ||

Audio Audio-BG-18.11
 

While sāttvika-tyāga (renunciation in the knowledge level) should be the sole focus of the seeker, Krishna emphasizes that karma-tyāga (renunciation of actions) is impossible by its very nature. This is another singular concept of the dialogue:

न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः ।
यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते ।।
na hi deha-bhṛtā śakyam tyaktum karmāṇy-aśeṣata: |
yas-tu karma-phala-tyāgī sa tyāgīty-abhidhīyate ||

For the embodied, it is not possible to renounce activities in full. One renouncing fruits of actions is considered a renunciate.

For any embodied one, to think of abandoning actions as such is wrong. For, such a step is not possible in the scheme of creation. This is a point already stressed earlier (3.5). As a summary statement, here Krishna re-emphasizes it.

He, who renounces the pleasant and unpleasant results of karmas, alone is a renunciate. Only such renunciation or abandonment will conduce to spiritual freedom and felicity. Whatever is done without knowing this Truth will only be a delusion. Even if it is an austere effort, it will be a sheer struggle.

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