Arjuna asked:
“O Krishna, first You spoke of renunciation of action, then You recommended devotional service to You. Can you tell me which of the two is the best?”
And Sri Krishna said:
“Both lead to liberation, but of them the devotional service is the best, because it also includes the other; in fact the one who neither hates nor desires the fruits of his labor is already renounced and released from the chains of duality. He is already completely liberated.
“The analytic study of the material world (sankhya-yoga) and devotional service (karma-yoga) are not at all different from each other and lead to the same end. Giving up acting without engaging in devotional service will not make you happy, and it is also dangerous. A sage, although he appears to be engaged in normal worldly activities, has actually already transcended them and lives happily even in this world.”
Sri Bhagavan continued:
“Therefore the true renunciate is one who works as if he were obliged to do so, with the mind detached from the fruits of his own action. This is true yoga: no one can become a yogi unless he renounces the desire for sense gratification. But you must learn to control your mind, O Arjuna, which may be your best friend or your most bitter rival. Control it, and free yourself from desires and the sense of possession. By meditating on Me, you will be able to reach My eternal abode.”
Arjuna said:
“O Madhusudana, the method of realization you have just summarized seems difficult to me, as the mind is too unstable and restless, and I think it is even more difficult to control than the wind.”
Krishna replied:
“Such an undertaking is certainly difficult, O son of Kunti, but it becomes possible if you follow the right discipline. In that case, success is assured.”
This is a section of the book “Maha-bharata, Vol. 2”.
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