न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषत: |
यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते || 11||
na hi deha-bhṛitā śhakyaṁ tyaktuṁ karmāṇy aśheṣhataḥ
yas tu karma-phala-tyāgī sa tyāgīty abhidhīyate
na—not; hi—indeed; deha-bhṛitā—for the embodied being; śhakyam—possible; tyaktum—to give up; karmāṇi—activities; aśheṣhataḥ—entirely; yaḥ—who; tu—but; karma-phala—fruits of actions; tyāgī—one who renounces all desires for enjoying the fruits of actions; saḥ—they; tyāgī—one who renounces all desires for enjoying the fruits of actions; iti—as; abhidhīyate—are said
Translation:
Indeed, it is not possible for the embodied being to give up all actions completely; He who renounces the desire for the fruits of action is called (the true) Tyagi (renouncer).
Commentary:
The embodied being has to perform action if only for the maintenance of the body. It is impossible for anyone to renounce action altogether. Therefore, working without concern for any reward flowing from it, is the best method of life. He is not bound by action. He alone is called the real Tyagi. We understand clearly that Tyaga definitely means the renunciation of the fruits of action and not the actions. There should not be any sense of doership; there should not be any secret longing to enjoy the fruits of work. No one can be a tyagi by simply giving up work, nor can he obtain the merit of renunciation. Performing all works and yet being unconcerned with fruits is the characteristic feature of the true Tyagi. Abandoning external objects is not Tyaga. The abandoning of the mental attitude, the internal thought of enjoyment, is the ‘sine quo non’ of true Tyaga. Therefore, the Lord’s command is to carry out all prescribed duties in a selfless detached spirit.
Question: Is it possible to abandon acts altogether?
Answer: No. It is not possible for the embodied being.
Question: Who is a Tyagi?
Answer: He who renounces the longing for the fruits of action is a Tyagi ( and not he who abandons action )
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