VERSE 27

Think of your body as you would the clothing that you wear. 'Me 'I' that we speak of is immortal. It is something eternal. After teaching this, the Lord proceeds to instruct about a good life. He explains the truth of the way of renunciation extolled in the sacred books.

No living being can live without work. By nature, it will be involved in some activity or other. Therefore, the renunciation, which the sacred books speak about, is the renunciation of the desire and not the giving up of action. It is not possible to give up action altogether. The only possible path of renunciation is to lead a life. free from sensual pleasures and selfishness. Do every action as a form of worship tendered to God. That is renunciation, says Sri Krishna in the Gita.

'They are free who are free of desire' says the author of the Kural.

To 'renounce' is to give up attachment. Do not seek to give up the activity that is appointed as your duty. Every act should be done as the fulfilment of a duty; it should be done in a spirit of absolute unselfishness. That is the highest sanyaasa, which every one can adopt. That is the clear message of the Gita.

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