| 2. Sages understand
samnyasa to be the renouncement of interested works ; the abandonment of
the fruits of all works, the learned declare, is tyaga A few sages understand
by samnyasat the abandonment of kamyakarmani, of works (such as the Asvamedha,
Horse sacrifice) accompanied with a desire for fruits. The learned declare
that tyaga means abandonment of the fruits of all the works that are performed,natya
and naimittika, ordinary and extraordinary duties; i.e of the fruits that
may accrue to the performer.The abandonment of interested works and the
abandonment of fruits (of works) being intended to be expressed (by the
two words) the meaning of the words samnyasa and tyaga is in any way one
and the same so far as the general idea is concerned, namely, abandonment,
They are not quite so distinct in meaning as the words jar and clothe.(Objection):The
nitya and naimittika works ordinary and extraordinary duties, are said to
produce no fruits. How is it that the abandoning of their fruits is here
spoken of ? It is like speaking of the abandoning of a barren, woman s son.(answer):No
such objection may be raised here, since, in the opinion of the Lord, ordinary
and occasional duties produce their own fruits, as He will show in xviii.12,
where, indeed, while teaching that samnyasins alone (those alone who have
renounced all desire for the fruits of works) have no connection whatever
with those fruits, the Lord teaches also that those who are not samnyasins
will have to reap the fruits of the ordinary works which they are bound
to perform. Should the ignorant perform work or not? |
