The Path of Action Versus Renunciation of Action in Bhagavad Gita: A Comparative Analysis
The Path of Action Versus Renunciation of Action in Bhagavad Gita: A Comparative Analysis
Bhagavad Gita, one of the most revered works in Hindu philosophy, presents a profound discussion between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on various spiritual paths. One of the central debates centers on the difference between acting with purpose (the path of action) and renouncing action altogether. This article delves into the nuances of these concepts and their interpretation in the context of Bhagavad Gita.
Why Should Action Be Renounced?
Some schools of thought, particularly those in the Vedantic tradition, propose that all actions (karma) must be abandoned. This is an extreme view that suggests renouncing all worldly actions as the path to liberation. However, such a path is near impossible for human beings to follow, as children and even adult humans require acting for survival and societal functioning.
Lord Krishna, through Bhagavad Gita, challenges this view. He encourages the path of right action (karma yoga) over mere renunciation of actions. The Gita does not imply that all actions are binding and that renunciation is the sole path to liberation, but rather that consecrated action, identified with sacrifice (yajna) in the Gita, does not bind.
Karma Yoga vs. Renunciation of Action
Lord Krishna emphasizes the path of Karma Yoga, where actions are performed without attachment to the results. He argues that both paths lead to the highest goal of God-realization, but the path of Karma Yoga is superior. This means that actions performed selflessly and without desire actually lead to liberation.
According to the Gita, an individual must engage in selfless action as a means to purify the mind and achieve enlightenment. The Lord asserts that:
The path of renunciation and the path of action both lead to the highest bliss, but the path of action is superior. A perfected soul, even while acting, remains free from attachment and sin, likened to the lotus leaf untouched by water. The purified and harmonized soul, who has abandoned attachment, performs actions for the purification of the self.Qualities of a True Action Taker
A true Karma Yogi remains unperturbed by the mind and senses. He sees himself as a witness to these actions and dedicates all actions to the divine. He is freed from the cycle of rebirth and achieves eternal peace.
The Gita encourages the cultivation of equanimity. Those who rest in Brahman, the ultimate reality, see all beings as manifestations of that reality, transcending joy and grief. They are not swayed by the senses and their happiness is eternal. Lord Krishna further elucidates:
“They look with an equal eye on a Brahmin, a cow, an elephant, and even a dog and a pariah; for the Self is the same in all beings.”
The final discourse, “The Yoga of Renunciation of Action,” concludes the Gita with the Lord’s teachings on how to achieve liberation by controlling the senses, mind, and intellect, and tying them to the divine.
Conclusion
The Bhagavad Gita advocates for a balanced approach rather than an extreme one. Action, when performed rightly, can lead to freedom and enlightenment. The key is to perform actions without attachment to the fruits, which aligns with the path of Karma Yoga. This path, as Krishna teaches, leads to the ultimate goal of realizing the self as one with the divine.