|
|
Line 4: |
Line 4: |
| {{notes|VedaBase query: "action inaction"@20}} | | {{notes|VedaBase query: "action inaction"@20}} |
| {{compiler|Labangalatika}} | | {{compiler|Labangalatika}} |
| {{complete|}} | | {{complete|ALL}} |
| {{goal|1003}}
| |
| {{first|13Jun11}} | | {{first|13Jun11}} |
| {{last|13Jun11}} | | {{last|13Jun11}} |
| {{totals_by_section|BG=4|SB=3|CC=0|OB=1|Lec=7|Con=3|Let=0}} | | {{totals_by_section|BG=4|SB=3|CC=0|OB=1|Lec=7|Con=5|Let=1}} |
| {{total|18}} | | {{total|21}} |
| {{toc right}} | | {{toc right}} |
| [[Category:Action]] | | [[Category:Action|2]] |
| | [[Category:Inaction|2]] |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is" class="section" sec_index="0" parent="compilation" text="Bhagavad-gita As It Is"><h2>Bhagavad-gita As It Is</h2> | | <div id="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is" class="section" sec_index="0" parent="compilation" text="Bhagavad-gita As It Is"><h2>Bhagavad-gita As It Is</h2> |
Line 18: |
Line 18: |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="BG416_0" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="169" link="BG 4.16" link_text="BG 4.16"> | | <div id="BG416_0" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="169" link="BG 4.16" link_text="BG 4.16"> |
| <span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 4.16|BG 4.16, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Even the intelligent are bewildered in determining what is action and what is inaction. Now I shall explain to you what action is, knowing which you shall be liberated from all misfortune.</p> | | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 4.16 (1972)|BG 4.16, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Even the intelligent are bewildered in determining what is action and what is inaction. Now I shall explain to you what action is, knowing which you shall be liberated from all misfortune.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="BG416_1" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="169" link="BG 4.16" link_text="BG 4.16"> | | <div id="BG416_1" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="169" link="BG 4.16" link_text="BG 4.16"> |
| <span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 4.16|BG 4.16, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">It is said that one cannot ascertain the ways of religion simply by imperfect experimental knowledge. Actually, the principles of religion can only be laid down by the Lord Himself. Dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam ([[Vanisource:SB 6.3.19|SB 6.3.19]]). No one can manufacture a religious principle by imperfect speculation. One must follow in the footsteps of great authorities like Brahmā, Śiva, Nārada, Manu, the Kumāras, Kapila, Prahlāda, Bhīṣma, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, Yamarāja, Janaka, and Bali Mahārāja. By mental speculation one cannot ascertain what is religion or self-realization. Therefore, out of causeless mercy to His devotees, the Lord explains directly to Arjuna what action is and what inaction is. Only action performed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can deliver a person from the entanglement of material existence.</p> | | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 4.16 (1972)|BG 4.16, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">It is said that one cannot ascertain the ways of religion simply by imperfect experimental knowledge. Actually, the principles of religion can only be laid down by the Lord Himself. Dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam ([[Vanisource:SB 6.3.19|SB 6.3.19]]). No one can manufacture a religious principle by imperfect speculation. One must follow in the footsteps of great authorities like Brahmā, Śiva, Nārada, Manu, the Kumāras, Kapila, Prahlāda, Bhīṣma, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, Yamarāja, Janaka, and Bali Mahārāja. By mental speculation one cannot ascertain what is religion or self-realization. Therefore, out of causeless mercy to His devotees, the Lord explains directly to Arjuna what action is and what inaction is. Only action performed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can deliver a person from the entanglement of material existence.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="BG417_2" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="170" link="BG 4.17" link_text="BG 4.17"> | | <div id="BG417_2" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="170" link="BG 4.17" link_text="BG 4.17"> |
| <span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 4.17|BG 4.17, Translation and Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is.</p> | | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 4.17 (1972)|BG 4.17, Translation and Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div class="purport text"><p>If one is serious about liberation from material bondage, one has to understand the distinctions between action, inaction and unauthorized actions. One has to apply oneself to such an analysis of action, reaction and perverted actions because it is a very difficult subject matter. To understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness and action according to its modes, one has to learn one's relationship with the Supreme; i.e., one who has learned perfectly knows that every living entity is an eternal servitor of the Lord and that consequently one has to act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The entire Bhagavad-gītā is directed toward this conclusion. Any other conclusions, against this consciousness and its attendant actions, are vikarmas, or prohibited actions. To understand all this one has to associate with authorities in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and learn the secret from them; this is as good as learning from the Lord directly. Otherwise, even the most intelligent persons will be bewildered.</p> | | <div class="purport text"><p>If one is serious about liberation from material bondage, one has to understand the distinctions between action, inaction and unauthorized actions. One has to apply oneself to such an analysis of action, reaction and perverted actions because it is a very difficult subject matter. To understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness and action according to its modes, one has to learn one's relationship with the Supreme; i.e., one who has learned perfectly knows that every living entity is an eternal servitor of the Lord and that consequently one has to act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The entire Bhagavad-gītā is directed toward this conclusion. Any other conclusions, against this consciousness and its attendant actions, are vikarmas, or prohibited actions. To understand all this one has to associate with authorities in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and learn the secret from them; this is as good as learning from the Lord directly. Otherwise, even the most intelligent persons will be bewildered.</p> |
Line 32: |
Line 32: |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="BG418_3" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="171" link="BG 4.18" link_text="BG 4.18"> | | <div id="BG418_3" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="171" link="BG 4.18" link_text="BG 4.18"> |
| <span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 4.18|BG 4.18, Translation and Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men, and he is in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities.</p> | | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 4.18 (1972)|BG 4.18, Translation and Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men, and he is in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div class="purport text"><p>A person acting in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is naturally free from the bonds of karma. His activities are all performed for Kṛṣṇa; therefore he does not enjoy or suffer any of the effects of work. Consequently he is intelligent in human society, even though he is engaged in all sorts of activities for Kṛṣṇa. Akarma means without reaction to work. The impersonalist ceases fruitive activities out of fear, so that the resultant action may not be a stumbling block on the path of self-realization, but the personalist knows rightly his position as the eternal servitor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore he engages himself in the activities of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Because everything is done for Kṛṣṇa, he enjoys only transcendental happiness in the discharge of this service. Those who are engaged in this process are known to be without desire for personal sense gratification. The sense of eternal servitorship to Kṛṣṇa makes one immune to all sorts of reactionary elements of work.</p> | | <div class="purport text"><p>A person acting in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is naturally free from the bonds of karma. His activities are all performed for Kṛṣṇa; therefore he does not enjoy or suffer any of the effects of work. Consequently he is intelligent in human society, even though he is engaged in all sorts of activities for Kṛṣṇa. Akarma means without reaction to work. The impersonalist ceases fruitive activities out of fear, so that the resultant action may not be a stumbling block on the path of self-realization, but the personalist knows rightly his position as the eternal servitor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore he engages himself in the activities of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Because everything is done for Kṛṣṇa, he enjoys only transcendental happiness in the discharge of this service. Those who are engaged in this process are known to be without desire for personal sense gratification. The sense of eternal servitorship to Kṛṣṇa makes one immune to all sorts of reactionary elements of work.</p> |
Line 111: |
Line 111: |
| :akarmaṇaś ca boddhavyaṁ | | :akarmaṇaś ca boddhavyaṁ |
| :gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ | | :gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ |
| <p>The same principle of working order is being discussed by Kṛṣṇa again in this verse. The beginning was cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ ([[Vanisource:BG 4.13|BG 4.13]]). We should remember the same principle always. Four classes are divided according to quality and karma. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, karmaṇo hy api boddhavyam. What is actually work. Boddhavyaṁ ca vikarmaṇaḥ. Vikarmaṇaḥ means forbidden. This is the human life's business. He should know what is actual work and what is forbidden work.</p> | | <p>The same principle of working order is being discussed by Kṛṣṇa again in this verse. The beginning was cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ ([[Vanisource:BG 4.13 (1972)|BG 4.13]]). We should remember the same principle always. Four classes are divided according to quality and karma. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, karmaṇo hy api boddhavyam. What is actually work. Boddhavyaṁ ca vikarmaṇaḥ. Vikarmaṇaḥ means forbidden. This is the human life's business. He should know what is actual work and what is forbidden work.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
Line 121: |
Line 121: |
| :sa buddhimān manuṣyeṣu | | :sa buddhimān manuṣyeṣu |
| :sa yuktaḥ kṛtsna-karma-kṛt | | :sa yuktaḥ kṛtsna-karma-kṛt |
| :([[Vanisource:BG 4.18|BG 4.18]]) | | :([[Vanisource:BG 4.18 (1972)|BG 4.18]]) |
| <p>I have been requested to simply translate this verse, Hindi. So... (Hindi) Intelligent, buddhimān (Hindi). The subject matter is very easy and difficult also. The example is given, just like a boy flying kite, and with that, what is called, reel, he is doing like that. But in one way the kite is coming down, and in the other way the kite is going up. And one who is seeing from outside, he sees only the boy is moving the reel. That's all.</p> | | <p>I have been requested to simply translate this verse, Hindi. So... (Hindi) Intelligent, buddhimān (Hindi). The subject matter is very easy and difficult also. The example is given, just like a boy flying kite, and with that, what is called, reel, he is doing like that. But in one way the kite is coming down, and in the other way the kite is going up. And one who is seeing from outside, he sees only the boy is moving the reel. That's all.</p> |
| <p>Similarly, unless one is very intelligent, he cannot understand what is karma and akarma. That is the whole subject matter of Bhagavad-gītā. Arjuna was thinking that "I am going to commit some sinful activities by killing my kinsmen, the other side, my brothers, my nephews, my master, my grandfather, my so many relatives." So he was seeing sinful activity in that fight. So long there is deliberation of sinful and pious activities, that is called karma. Karma has got two results, either suffering or enjoying. Of course, in this material world there is no enjoyment. But with the hope of enjoyment, we agree to suffer. And that is called enjoyment.</p> | | <p>Similarly, unless one is very intelligent, he cannot understand what is karma and akarma. That is the whole subject matter of Bhagavad-gītā. Arjuna was thinking that "I am going to commit some sinful activities by killing my kinsmen, the other side, my brothers, my nephews, my master, my grandfather, my so many relatives." So he was seeing sinful activity in that fight. So long there is deliberation of sinful and pious activities, that is called karma. Karma has got two results, either suffering or enjoying. Of course, in this material world there is no enjoyment. But with the hope of enjoyment, we agree to suffer. And that is called enjoyment.</p> |
Line 167: |
Line 167: |
| <p>"Perform your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. A man cannot even maintain his physical body without work."</p> | | <p>"Perform your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. A man cannot even maintain his physical body without work."</p> |
| <p>Prabhupāda: Yes. Kṛṣṇa consciousness does not mean to keep a set of men lazy, who cannot work. That is not Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Everyone must work to his capacity. Prescribed duties. They accuse us that we are escaping. Huh? What is that? We do not escape. We are always busy.</p> | | <p>Prabhupāda: Yes. Kṛṣṇa consciousness does not mean to keep a set of men lazy, who cannot work. That is not Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Everyone must work to his capacity. Prescribed duties. They accuse us that we are escaping. Huh? What is that? We do not escape. We are always busy.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="MorningWalkDecember51976Hyderabad_1" class="quote" parent="1976_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" book="Con" index="341" link="Morning Walk -- December 5, 1976, Hyderabad" link_text="Morning Walk -- December 5, 1976, Hyderabad"> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Morning Walk -- December 5, 1976, Hyderabad|Morning Walk -- December 5, 1976, Hyderabad]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Devotee (3): "Perform your prescribed duties, for action is better than inaction."</p> |
| | <p>Prabhupāda: But if you have no prescribed duties, then you are animal. Just like monkey. What is his duty? He is jumping simply and creating havoc. Monkey is very busy. Wherever he'll sit down, he'll "Gat, gat, gat, gat," like this. That's all. Very busy. But what is the meaning of his business? Simply creating disturbance Therefore it is said, niyataṁ kuru karma tvam: "Act on your prescribed duties." Don't act like a monkey. That is better. What is that?</p> |
| | <p>Devotee (3): "For action is better than inaction. A man cannot even maintain his physical body without work."</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="1977_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" class="sub_section" sec_index="10" parent="Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" text="1977 Conversations and Morning Walks"><h3>1977 Conversations and Morning Walks</h3> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="RoomConversationJanuary211977Bhuvanesvara_0" class="quote" parent="1977_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" book="Con" index="38" link="Room Conversation -- January 21, 1977, Bhuvanesvara" link_text="Room Conversation -- January 21, 1977, Bhuvanesvara"> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Room Conversation -- January 21, 1977, Bhuvanesvara|Room Conversation -- January 21, 1977, Bhuvanesvara]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Hari-śauri:</p> |
| | :niyataṁ kuru karma tvaṁ |
| | :karma jyāyo hy akarmaṇaḥ |
| | :śarīra-yātrāpi ca te |
| | :na prasiddhyed akarmaṇaḥ |
| | <p> "Perform your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. A man cannot even maintain his physical body without work."</p> |
| | <p>Prabhupāda: Kṛṣṇa never said that "You sit down, lazy." You must work. And that is intelligence, how to engage a person in some work. That requires governing body. That is intelligence. They should be ready to work, and your intelligence will engage them. And there is sufficient. Why you are constructing so many centers? There is enough work to do. Just like here. All people are coming, and each one can be preached, each one can be convinced of the philosophy.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="Correspondence" class="section" sec_index="6" parent="compilation" text="Correspondence"><h2>Correspondence</h2> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="1969_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="4" parent="Correspondence" text="1969 Correspondence"><h3>1969 Correspondence</h3> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="LettertoRupanugaHawaii14March1969_0" class="quote" parent="1969_Correspondence" book="Let" index="173" link="Letter to Rupanuga -- Hawaii 14 March, 1969" link_text="Letter to Rupanuga -- Hawaii 14 March, 1969"> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Rupanuga -- Hawaii 14 March, 1969|Letter to Rupanuga -- Hawaii 14 March, 1969]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Your fifth question, "Is this understanding of verse 18, chap. 4, correct; that the sage sees material activities as zero (inaction in action) and sees the devotee seated chanting as eternally active (action in inaction)?" Yes, action in inaction—action means to do something of which the result is enjoyed by the doer; that is action. But when things are done for Krishna, the result is enjoyed by Krishna. When we put ourselves in the position of enjoying good or bad reaction, then we suffer or enjoy. But action in Krishna Consciousness has nothing to do with such material suffering or enjoying. Therefore action in Krishna Consciousness is inaction, whereas a person doing nothing materially may appear to be inaction to others, but actually he is doing something for Krishna. In other words, the materialist thinks of the devotees as inactive. Similarly, the devotees think of the karmis as inactive—simply spoiling time, building sandcastles.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |