One aspect of akarma : Yoga

12. What does sannyasa mean ,ultimately? It is giving up some actions, and doing others? No, the meaning of sannyasa is "giving up all action." To be free from all action, not to act at all, that is sannyasa. But what does "not acting" mean? Action is a curious thing. How can we give up all action? Action is in front of us and behind us, to right and left of us; it spreads all round us in every direction. 

Why, if we sit down, that too is action. Not only is "to sit" a verb in grammar, but sitting is a physical action. And if we sit still for some time, the legs begin to ache; even sitting still is a strain. When doing nothing itself turns out to be an action, how is it possible to give up action? The Lord revealed to Arjuna his Universal Form. Seeing its vastness, Arjuna became afraid and shut his eyes; even then, the same form appeared within. If we see a thing even when we shut our eyes, how can we escape from it?  And how are we to avoid action which goes on even when we are doing nothing? 

13. A certain man had large quantities of valuable gold ornaments. He wished to keep them safely locked up in a big box. His servant got a big strong steel box made for him. He looked at it and said, "You idiot! Have you no sense of beauty or fitness? Would anyone keep these priceless ornaments in this ugly iron box? Go and get me a good gold box." The servant did as he was told. "A gold box needs a gold lock," said the master. Starting out to hide the gold from others' eyes, he finally succeeded in advertising it. There was no need for the thief to search for the gold. He had only to carry away the box. Thus, not acting becomes a kind of action. How can one give up action which is so all-pervasive?

[ Back ] [ Vinoba Bhave ] [ Up ] [ Next ]