110. Renouncing Motive

Krishna says, “Know yoga to be that which scriptures call sannyas (renunciation); nobody becomes a yogi without renouncing sankalp (will or purpose or motive or resolve)” (6.2). Earlier it was said that the pursuits of a sage are free from kaam (lust) and sankalp (kaam sankalp varjitah) (4.19).

Krishna further says, “To the soul who is aspiring for perfection in yoga, karma is said to be the means; to the sage who is already elevated in yoga, tranquillity/quietude is said to be the means (6.3). When one is neither attached to sense-objects nor to actions, such a person is said to be established in yoga, having renounced all desires for the fruits of actions (karma-phal)” (6.4).

Our belief is that karmas are performed to obtain the desired karma-phal; otherwise, why would anyone perform karmas? A point to be noted is that the absence of our experience of something doesn’t imply its non-existence. Firstly, it’s about analysing the experiences from our past karmas, which were done for fruits of action, and how most of them brought misery. Secondly, start performing simple acts (karmas) like listening with empathy without expecting fruits of action, and with shraddha (trust) on Krishna’s assurance that such karmas are possible. Finally, the tranquillity is about transcending polarities where praise and criticism become one.

Krishna repeatedly advocates unmotivated actions (nishkaam-karma) and non-attachment to sense-objects. It’s about using senses as instruments to connect us to the outer world and to make basic judgements for physical survival. Any attachment beyond that is the bondage of action (karma bandhan).

For example, when we see a beautiful object such as a flower, a car, or a house, we can appreciate its beauty and move on which is non-attachment. Another is to get attached to it which generates a desire to possess it, leading to subsequent motivated actions.


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