Discourses On Gita By Acharya Vinoba Bhave 
Major Sections
Discourses On Gita
THE TEACHING IN BRIEF : SELF-KNOWLEDGE AND EQUANIMITY
 
How to achieve both: Renunciation of fruit
13. The Lord has indeed told us the truths of life, but the work is not complete with mere telling. These principles enunciated in the Gita are found already in the Upanishads and Smritis. If the Gita merely repeated them, it would be no great distinction. Its real merit is in that it tells us how to bring these truths into practice. It is in solving this great problem that the skill of the Gita lies.
"Yoga" is the name of the art or process by which these principles can be put into practice in the actual living.

The word "sankhya" means principles or theory. "Yoga" means art. Jnanadev bears witness: "The art of living comes of itself to Yogis." The Gita is full of both sankhya and Yoga, science and art, shaastra and kalaa. When science and art meet, life blossoms into beauty. Mere science is a castle in the air. One may understand the theory of music, but if one has not trained the voice and mastered the art of singing, then nada-brahma (God as sound) would not take shape for us. That is the reason why the Lord has taught not only the principles, but also the art of applying them. What then in this art? What is the art which enables one to realize the transience of the body and the indestructibility and wholeness of the spirit, and so to practice svadharma?

Behind a man's action there are generally two types of attitude. One is the assured feeling, "I shall enjoy the fruit of my action. I have a right to it." On the contrary, there is feeling, "If I am not to enjoy the fruit of my action, then I will not act at all." The Gita tells us of yet another attitude of mind or way of life, which says, "You must of course act, but don't think that you have a right to the fruit." The man who acts has no doubt a right to the fruit. But give up this right of your own free will. Rajas says, "If I accept the work, I demand the fruit." Tamas says, "If I give up the fruit, I shall give up the work also." These two attitudes are like two brothers.  Therefore, leave both behind and reach pure Sattvaguna. In other words, do the work, but give up the fruit; and giving up the fruit, do the work. Before, or after, do not hanker after the fruit.

Back ] Vinoba Bhave ] Up ] Next ]

About Self-Knowledge And Equanimity
Special Terminology..Pg.1
Special Terminology..Pg.2
Special Terminology..Pg.3
The purpose of life...Pg.1
The purpose of life...Pg.2
Awareness of the Self ...Pg.1
Awareness of the Self ...Pg.2
Awareness of the Self ...Pg.3
Awareness of the Self ...Pg.4
Awareness of the Self ...Pg.5
Awareness of the Self ...Pg.6
How to achieve both...Pg.1 
How to achieve both...Pg.2
How to achieve both...Pg.3
Renunciation of fruit ...Pg.1
Renunciation of fruit ...Pg.2
Renunciation of fruit ...Pg.3
Renunciation of fruit ...Pg.4
The Ideal Teacher..Pg.1
The Ideal Teacher..Pg.2
The Ideal Teacher..Pg.3