L E C T U R E III |
Bhagavadgita Chapter 03 |
OF WORKS (Karma Yoga) |
By CHARLES WILKINS 1785 |
|
ARJUNA.
●According to thy opinion, the use of the understanding be superior to the
practice of deeds 15, why then dost thou urge me to engage in an undertaking so
dreadful as this? Thou, as it were, confoundest my reason with a mixture of
sentiments; wherefore choose one amongst them, by which I may obtain happiness,
and explain it unto me.3
KRISHNA
●It hath before been observed by me, that in this world there are two institutes
: That of those who follow the Saṁkhya, or speculative science, which is the
exercise of reason in contemplation ; and the practical, or exercise of the
moral and religious duties.
●The man enjoyeth not freedom from action, from the non-commencement of that
which he hath to do; nor doth he obtain happiness from a total inactivity. No
one ever refreth a moment inactive. Every man is involunta-
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rily urged to ad: by those principles which are inherent in his nature. The man
who refraineth his active faculties, and fitteth down with his mind attentive to
the objects of his senses, is called one of an astrayed soul, and the practiser
of deceit. So the man is praised, who, having subdued all his passions,
performeth with his active faculties of all the functions of life, unconcerned
about the event. Perform the settled functions: action is preferable to
inaction. The journey of thy mortal frame may not succeed from inaction. This
busy world is engaged from other motives than the worship of the Deity. Abandon
then, O Son of Kunti, all selfish motives, and perform thy duty for him alone.
●When in ancient days Brahma 16 , the lord of the creation, had formed mankind,
and, at the same time, appointed his worship, he spoke and said: '' With this
worship pray for increase, and let it be that on which ye shall depend for the
accomplishment of all your wishes. "With this remember the Gods, that the Gods
may 'remember you. Remember one another, and ye shall obtain supreme happiness.
The Gods being remembered " in worship, will grant you the enjoyment of your
wishes. " He who enjoyeth what hath been given unto him by them, and offereth
not a portion unto them, is even as
a thief. Those who eat not but what is left of the offerings, shall be purified
of all their transgressions. '' Those who dress their meat but for themselves,
eat the '' bread of sin, All things which have life are generated from the bread
which they eat. Bread is generated from rain ; rain from divine worship, and
divine worship from good works. Know that good works come from Brahman, whose
nature is incorruptible; wherefore the omnipresent Brahman is present in the
worship.
●The sinful mortal, who delighteth in the gratification of his passions, and
followeth not the wheel, thus revolving in the world, liveth but in vain.
●But the man who may be self-delighted and self-satisfied, and who may be happy
in his own soul, hath no occasion 17 • He hath no interest either in that which
is done, or that which is not done; and there is not, in all things which have
been created, any object on which he may place dependence. Wherefore, perform
thou that which thou hast to do, at all times, unmindful of the event ; for the
man who doeth that which he hath to do,without affection, obtaineth the Supreme
Janaka. and others have attained perfection even by Works. Thou should also
observe what is the practice of mankind, and act accordingly. The man of low
degree
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followeth example of him who is above him, and doeth that which he doeth. I
myself, Arjuna, have not, in. · the three regions of the universe, anything
which is necessary for me to perform, nor anything to obtain which is not
obtained; and yet I live in the exercise of the moral duties. If I were not
vigilantly to attend to these duties,all men would presently follow my example.
If I were not to perform the moral actions, this world would fail in their duty;
I should be the cause of spurious births, and should drive the people from the
right way. As the ignorant perform the duties of life from the hope of reward,
so the wise man, out of respect to the opinions and prejudices of mankind,
should perform the same without motives of interest. He should not create a
division in the understandings of the ignorant, who are inclined to outward
works. The learned man,, by industriously performing all the duties of life,
should induce the vulgar to attend to them.The man whose mind is led astray by
the pride of self-sufficiency, thinketh that he himself is the executor
-of all tbose actions which are performed by the principles of his constitution.
But the man who is acquainted with the nature of the two distinctions cause. and
effect, having considered that principles will act according to their natures,
giveth himself no trouble. Men who are led astray by the principles of their
natures, are interested in the works of the faculties. The man who is acquainted
with the whole, should not drive those from their works who are slow of
comprehension, and less experienced than himself.
●Throw every deed on me, and with a heart, over which the soul presideth, be
free from hope, be unpresuming, be free·fron1 trouble, and resolve to fight
●Those who with a firm belief, and without reproach, shall constantly follow
this my doctrine, shall be saved even by works; and know that those who, holding
it in contempt, follow not this my counsel, are astrayed from all wisdom,
deprived of reason, and are lost.
●But the wise man also seeketh for that which is homogeneous to his own nature.
All things aa according to their natures, what then will restraint effect? In
every purpose of the senses are fixed affection and dislike. A wise man should
not put· himself in their power, for both of them are his opponents. A man's own
religion, though contrary to, is better than the faith of another, let it be
ever so well followed. It is good
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to die in one's own faith, for another’s faith beareth fear.
ARJUN ·
●By what, O Krishna, is man propelled to commit offences? He seems as if,
contrary to his wishes, he was impelled by some secret force.
KRISHNA
●Know that it is the enemy lust, or passion, offspring of the carnal principle,
insatiable and full of sin, by which this world is covered as the flame by the
smoke, as the mirror by dust, or as the fetus by its membrane. The understanding
of the wise man is obscured by inveterate foe, in the shape of desire 19, who
rageth like fire, and is hard to be appeased. It is said that the senses, the
heart, and the understanding are the places where he delighteth most to rule. By
the assistance of these he overwhelmeth reason, and stupifieth the soul. Thou
shouldst, therefore, first subdue thy passions, and get the better of this
sinful destroyer of wisdom and knowledge.
●The organs are esteemed great, but the mind is greater than they. The
resolution20 is greater than the mind, and who is superior to the resolution is
he 21. When thou
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hast resolved what is superior to the resolution, and fixed thyself by thyself,
determine to abandon the enemy in the shape of desire, whose objects are hard to
be accomplished.