सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रय: |
मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम् || 56||
sarva-karmāṇy api sadā kurvāṇo mad-vyapāśhrayaḥ
mat-prasādād avāpnoti śhāśhvataṁ padam avyayam
sarva—all; karmāṇi—actions; api—though; sadā—always; kurvāṇaḥ—performing; mat-vyapāśhrayaḥ—take full refuge in me; mat-prasādāt—by my grace; avāpnoti—attain; śhāśhvatam—the eternal; padam—abode; avyayam—imperishable
Translation:
Performing all actions continually, he who takes refuge in Me only obtains the indestructible state of Moksha by My grace.
Commentary:
It is declared here that performing actions with devotion to the Lord, man secures His grace, by which deliverance is obtained. ‘Sarvakarmanyapi’ means only those duties which come to man in the position in which he is placed, and not deeds which are prohibited by the Sastras. Though a man is engaged in the activities of the world with all the senses functioning continuously, if he remembers the Lord or if he surrenders the fruits of his works to the Lord, he obtains the grace of Iswara and liberation comes to him easily. From this, we understand the action performed with true devotion leads man to a state of supreme Bliss. He who takes refuge in the Lord is not bound by any action or by all the actions done continually throughout his life. On the other hand, he breaks the bonds of Karma, for, the binding power of Karma is destroyed by true devotion to the Lord. There is no agency or selfish desire behind such work. Such is of the state of the true devotee whose mind is centered in the Lord and who feels that it is the power of the Lord which is functioning through him. When that attitude of mind is firmly established, man feels not the weight of work, nor the changes of fortune, nor the anxieties of the future.
Just as the court-dancer carrying on her head a brimful pitcher of water, though talking, singing and dancing, keeps her mind on the pitcher to keep it secure, so also the devotee, while engaged in a thousand activities, keeps his mind fixed on the Lord and attains liberation.
The seekers on the path of Karma-yoga should remember this principle. Otherwise, every act binds man to the wheel of Samsara and results in endless strife and suffering. If a man is propelled by selfish desires and performs actions to reap their fruits, he is binding himself with the strongest chains of action and reaction, and birth after birth, he has to undergo all the ills and evils in earthy existence.
Marprasadat: No one can free himself from Maya’s iron chains without Iswara’s grace. Man who is subject to the power of Maya should seek the protection of Iswara who is the Lord of Maya. He, by His grace, liberates man. Therefore everybody should try to win God’s grace. How is God’s grace to be obtained? – By taking refuge in Him, and by sincere self-surrender. The Lord is pleased with such humble surrender. His grace flows into such soul and makes him free and happy. The Lord is not partial to anyone. The devotee approaches the Lord by his self-surrender. The Lord reveals himself to such a man. Thereby, man becomes Divine. So every seeker should engage himself in good works and perform them with devotion and self-surrender.
The state of Moksha is described as indestructible and eternal. All else however great and mighty it may be, is subject to time, place, and causation. Only Moksha is beyond all change beyond all conditions. It is existence, knowledge, bliss absolute.
Question: What is the nature of Moksha?
Answer: Eternal and imperishable.
Question: How it is attained?
Answer: By the grace of Iswara.
Question: How is Iswara’s grace obtained?
Answer: By continuous memory of the Lord and surrendering the fruits of all actions to Him, man obtains His Grace.
Question: Should man give up action to attain Moksha?
Answer: No. Though a man is engaged in actions arising from his position in the world, if he works with devotion and self-surrender to the Lord, he attains Moksha. Thus true devotion and detached performance of all works are necessary for liberation.
Question: How should man act in the world?
Answer: He should perform good actions enjoyed by the Sastras, and give away the rewards to the Lord. He should remember the Lord while performing the actions.
Question: By such devotion and selfless action, what does man acquire?
Answer: He acquires God’s grace and through His Grace, Liberation.