Renunciation of
fruit - the sovereign touchstone
3. In reply to
this question, the Lord has said one thing clearly, that the
touchstone of renunciation of fruit is of universal application. The
principle of renunciation of fruit can be applied everywhere. There
is no conflict between renouncing the fruit of all actions and
renouncing rajasik and tamasik actions. The nature of
some of the actions is such that, if we apply to them the device of
renouncing the fruit, they fall off of themselves.
Performing actions after
renouncing fruit means just this that some actions are to be given
up. It, naturally, includes the direct renunciation of these
actions.
4. Let us
consider this matter a little more deeply. When we say, "The
actions that are interested, that spring from desire, do them after
renouncing the fruit," we cut the ground from under their feet.
Faced with renunciation of fruit, actions that spring from desire
and actions that are forbidden cannot stand.
The act with
renunciation of fruit is not something merely artificial designed,
or mechanical. When this test is applied, it becomes clear of itself
what actions should be performed, and what should not be. Some
people complain, "The Gita merely teaches us to perform actions
renouncing the fruit, but it does not tell us what actions to
perform."
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