Chapter 3 Shloka 25

सक्ता: कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत।

कुर्याद् विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्चिकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम्।।२५।।

Bhagwan now specifically advises the learned man of wisdom:

O Arjuna, just as ignorant individuals attached to action

perform deeds, so also must a wise person

engage in action, albeit in a spirit of

detachment and for universal benefit.

Chapter 3 Shloka 25

सक्ता: कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत।

कुर्याद् विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्चिकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम्।।२५।।

Bhagwan now specifically advises the learned man of wisdom:

O Arjuna, just as ignorant individuals attached to action perform deeds, so also must a wise person engage in action, albeit in a spirit of detachment and for universal benefit.

Little Sadhak! The Lord directs the learned man: just as ignorant men perform actions through attachment, the enlightened one must perform the same actions but without attachment.

1. He should live like an ordinary person in varied circumstances, but be uninfluenced by those circumstances.

2. He must remain impartial to joy and sorrow in ordinary life.

3. He must give proof of his adherence to duty in his family life. His life should be an example of undifferentiated love towards friends and foes alike.

4. The man of wisdom must live uninfluenced, among people who are full of attachment and malice.

5. He must demonstrate in ordinary life how one can love both friend and foe equally.

6. He must show how one can be indifferent to likes and dislikes.

7. He must give proof of how to live without rancour amidst the angry and bad tempered.

8. He must also demonstrate how one can be indifferent to praise and insult.

9. The proof of his objectivity will lie in his impartiality even towards those who love him immensely.

10. There must be an equitable attitude towards withdrawal from actions or perusal of deeds, towards good and evil actions.

11. How can one’s life acquire the attitude of yagya in ordinary circumstances? His life must illustrate this. His selflessness, desirelessness, contentment and equanimity must be proved in ordinary life.

12. That it is possible to live with an even minded attitude in the midst of loss or gain, without wishing to possess anything, is only proved in one’s ordinary life.

13. Such a one must show compassion, charity and mercy; humility, non-violence, fearlessness and vigour in his day to day living.

14. He must be an example of forbearance, charity and renunciation in ordinary life, whilst living with ordinary people.

To substantiate one’s inherent divine qualities in such circumstances is the highest sadhana, as well as proof of one’s abidance in the Self.

This is the Lord’s injunction to man whenever He has taken birth in the world:

a) Give proof of your impenetrable silence and the world will understand the true essence of silence.

b) Be impervious to your body self and identify with others – if you can practice this in ordinary life, you will be illuminating the practical application of Advaita or non-duality.

c) How one can live in ordinary circumstances and still be extraordinary, how divine qualities are nurtured in adversity – this proof can only be given in practice.

The true sadhak, Atmavaan and man of wisdom act in the aforesaid manner. This is the method of rising above one’s body self and of establishing the Lord’s Name, the family dharma, and the humane qualities. The welfare of the community and the nation also lies in this attitude.