:: Chapter 18 :: Conclusion--The Perfection of Renunciation

Text 6

etany api tu karmani
sangam tyaktva phalani ca
kartavyaniti me partha
niscitam matam uttamam

Synonyms

etani--all these; api--certainly; tu--but; karmani--activities; sangam--association; tyaktva--renouncing; phalani--results; ca--also; kartavyani--should be done as duty; iti--thus; me--My; partha--O son of Prtha; niscitam--definite; matam--opinion; uttamam--the best.

Translation

All these activities should be performed without attachment or any expectation of result. They should be performed as a matter of duty, O son of Prtha. That is My final opinion.

Purport

Although all sacrifices are purifying, one should not expect any result by such performances. In other words, all sacrifices which are meant for material advancement in life should be given up, but sacrifices that purify one's existence and elevate one to the spiritual plane should not be stopped. Everything that leads to Krisna consciousness must be encouraged. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam also it is said that any activity which leads to devotional service to the Lord should be accepted. That is the highest criterion of religion. A devotee of the Lord should accept any kind of work, sacrifice or charity which will help him in the discharge of devotional service to the Lord.

Text 7

niyatasya tu sannyasah
karmano nopapadyate
mohat tasya parityagas
tamasah parikirtitah

Synonyms

niyatasya--prescribed; tu--but; sannyasah--renunciation; karmanah--of activities; na--never; upapadyate--is deserved; mohat--by illusion; tasya--of them; parityagah--renunciation; tamasah--in the mode of ignorance; parikirtitah--is declared.

Translation

Prescribed duties should never be renounced. If one gives up his prescribed duties because of illusion, such renunciation is said to be in the mode of ignorance.

Purport

Work for material satisfaction must be given up, but activities which promote one to spiritual activity, like cooking for the Supreme Lord and offering the food to the Lord and then accepting the food, are recommended. It is said that a person in the renounced order of life should not cook for himself. Cooking for oneself is prohibited, but cooking for the Supreme Lord is not prohibited. Similarly, a sannyasi may perform a marriage ceremony to help his disciple in the advancement of Krisna consciousness. If one renounces such activities, it is to be understood that he is acting in the mode of darkness.

Text 8

duhkham ity eva yat karma
kaya-klesa-bhayat tyajyt
sa krtva rajasam tyagam
naiva tyaga-phalam labhet

Synonyms

duhkham--unhappy; iti--thus; eva--certainly; yat--which; karma--work; kaya--for the body; klesa--trouble; bhayat--out of fear; tyajet--gives up; sah--he; krtva--after doing; rajasam--in the mode of passion; tyagam--renunciation; na--not; eva--certainly; tyaga--of renunciation; phalam--the results; labhet--gains.

Translation

Anyone who gives up prescribed duties as troublesome or out of fear of bodily discomfort is said to have renounced in the mode of passion. Such action never leads to the elevation of renunciation.

Purport

One who is in Krisna consciousness should not give up earning money out of fear that he is performing furtive activities. If by working one can engage his money in Krisna consciousness, or if by rising early in the morning one can advance his transcendental Krisna consciousness, one should not desist out of fear or because such activities are considered troublesome. Such renunciation is in the mode of passion. The result of passionate work is always miserable. If a person renounces work in that spirit, he never gets the result of renunciation.