Verse-3
Chapter 18 — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
Verse 3
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
tyājyaṁ doṣavadityeke karma prāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ
yajñadānatapaḥkarma na tyājyamiti cāpare
🕉 English Translation
Kahein kuch ki hai dosh karmon mein jab,
Toh hai chodna yogya ye sabke sab.
Vidvan kuch kehte hai itna hee,
Ki yagya , daan, tap ko na chodna kabhi
📜 Translation
English
Some learned ones say that action is filled with defects; that is why it is fit to be renounced. While other wise ones declare that one should not relinquish actions pertaining to sacrifice, charity and austerity.
These are the two separate streams of opinions relating to the nature of action. Some thinkers maintain this opinion that actions by their nature carry defects. If action is done then somewhere or the other it will have a reaction. In the form of reaction the impressions will accumulate inside, because of which bondage will persist. That is why it is proper to give up entirely all actions, though the inspirations from the Gita do not accept this. As per the thinking of the Gita the complete renunciation of all actions is not possible. If someone gives up any action due to adamancy that is not a proper state in any way.
One stream of thought here is also this, that the actions of sacrifice, charity and austerity should never be given up, even if one is an ascetic or a great renouncee. It is the nature of the body to perform action. The journey of the body cannot be carried on without performing action (Gita 3/8). When one has to perform action then why not perform some purposeful and useful action? After putting forward the opinions of various learned ones, the Blessed Lord is now stating His own opinion in the following verses.