Verse 1
Arjuna said:
I desire to know severally, O mighty - armed,
the essence or truth of renunciation, O Hrishikesa, as also of abandonment, O
slayer of Kesi!
The sacred dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna
began with the latter surrendering to the Lord and asking Him, “I do not know
what I should do, please guide me”
The Lord did not say, “get up and fight”.
Arjuna had surrendered.
And, when a devotee surrenders, then what is the
impact of such surrender on Lord??.
Swami says, “Lord’s heart is like a soft butter”.
(Melting at the TRUE surrender of His devotee)
Hence, the Lord starts explaining “why, Arjuna has
to get up and fight”
The celestial song was thus heard by Arjuna (and
by spiritual aspirants for all ages to come after that) .
17 discourses (chapters) have been given by the
Lord. Arjuna still has some lingering doubts and he wants the same to be
cleared.
Arjuna asks, “O Lord, In spite of Your patient
instruction, I am still not clear about the distinction between Renunciation (Sanyasa)
and Sacrifice (Tyaga). Please would you bear with me and explain once more the
difference ?
Verse 2
The Blessed Lord Said:
The sages understand Sannyas to be the
renunciation of action with desire; the wise declare the abandonment of the
fruits of all actions as Tyaga.
“Yes Arjuna, it is important that all doubts are
completely resolved before you plunge into war. I shall explain and clear your
doubt.
Some people say that since actions are rooted in
desires and personal ambitions, all actions are best avoided, and that is the
correct way to desire lessness.
Reflect calmly. Could this view be correct??
Action, which is charged with a
motive, any kind of motivated action, is kamya karma; and the
abandoning of kamya karma, or motivated action, is sannyasa.
This is the definition of sannyasa given by great ancient
learned ones, called kavis—samnyasam kavayo viduh.
If action is to be totally avoided/abandoned, then
what would be the fate of all duties?
Agreed that desires must be conquered but is there
not a way of performing action and still keeping the desires out?
If you ask me, it is not the actions that should
be renounced but the desire for the fruit of action (Karma Phala Tyaga)
that must be given up.
Indeed, the wise describe the abandonment of “desire
for fruit of action” as Tyaga”.
Love.
