Category: Miscellaneous

Karmano hy api boddhavyam
boddhavyam ca vikarmanah
akarmanas ca boddhavyam
gahana karmano gatih

(Text 17, Ch 4, Transcendental Knowledge)

Meaning: The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is.

*** If one is serious about liberation from material bondage, one has to understand the distinctions between action, inaction and unauthorised actions. One has to apply oneself to such an analysis of action, reaction and perverted actions because it is very difficult subject matter. To understand divine consciousness and action according to its modes, one has to learn one’s relationship with the Supreme.

Kim karma kim akarmeti
Kavayo ‘py atra mohitah
tat te karma pravaksyami
Yaj jnatva moksyase subhat

(Text 4, Transcendental Knowledge)

Meaning: Even the intelligent are bewildered in determining what is action and what is inaction. Now I shall explain to you what action is, knowing which you shall be liberated from all misfortune.

***Only action performed in divine consciousness can deliver a person from the entanglement of material existence.

Evam jnatva krtam karma purvair api mumuksubhih
Kuru karmaiva tasmat tvam purvaih purvataram krtam

(Text 15, Ch 4, Transcendental Knowledge)

Meaning: All the liberated souls in ancient times acted with this understanding of My transcendental nature. Therefore you should perform your duty, following on their footsteps.

Na mam karmani limpanti na me karma-phale sprha
iti mam yo bhijanati karmabhir na sa badhyate
(Text 14, Ch 4, Transcendental Knowledge)

Meaning: There is no work that affects Me; nor do I aspire for the fruits of action. One who understands this truth about Me also does not become entangled in the fruitive reactions of work.

Catuh-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah
tasya kartaram api mam viddhy akartaram avyayam

(Text 13, Text 4, Transcendental Knowledge)

Meaning: According to the three modes of material nature and work associated with them, the four divisions of human society are created by Me. And although I am the creater of this system, you should know that I am yet the nondoer, being unchangeable.

*** The Lord is the creater of everything. Everything is born of Him, everything is sustained by Him, and everything, after annihilation, rests in Him.

Kanksantah karmanam siddhim yajanta iha devatah
Ksipram hi manuse loke siddhir bhavati karma-ja

Meaning : Men in this world desire success in fruitive activities, and therefore they worship the demigods. Quickly, of course, men get results from fruitive work in this world.

Ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham
mama vartmanuvartante manusyah partha sarvasah
(Text 11, Ch 4, Transcendental Knowledge)

Meaning: As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Partha.

*** Whether one is without desire (the condition of the devotees), or is desirous of all fruitive results, or is after liberation, one should with all efforts try to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead for complete perfection, culminating in divine consciousness.

Vita -raga-bhaya-krodha man-maya mam upasritah
bahavo jnana -tapasa puta mad -bhavam agatah

(Text 10, Ch 4, Transcendental Knowledge)

Meaning:  Being freed from attachment, fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuse in Me, many, many persons in the past became purified by knowledge of Me-and thus they all attained transcendental love for Me.

Janma karma ca me divyam evam yo vetti tattvatah
tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti so ‘ rjuna

Meaning : One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.