SrI: SrImathE SatakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImath varavaramunayE nama:
na hi kaścit kṣaṇam api
jātu tiṣṭhaty akarma-kṛt
kāryate hy avaśaḥ karma
sarvaḥ prakṛti-jair guṇaiḥ
‘None indeed can ever, even for an instant, remain actionless. By the matter-born guṇas[2. The properties of matter which rule the dispositions of mankind in their several worldly avocations. See Lect: XIV for an exhaustive treatment of the gunās. These are the three main characteristics of matter which keep the world moving. Satva is the tendency to produce goodness, purity, etc., Rajas is the tendency to act in the world with passions; and Tamas is the tendency to sloth, evil, etc.], one is forced against his will, to work.’
No person who is a denizen of this world, remains even for a moment quiet, without busying himself with some one act or another.
If he should ever determine to himself saying: ‘I shall do nothing,’ he will yet find himself compelled into action by the qualities of matter (with which he is bound), viz., satva, rajas and tamas,[3. The properties of matter which rule the dispositions of mankind in their several worldly avocations. See Lect: XIV for an exhaustive treatment of the gunās. These are the three main characteristics of matter which keep the world moving. Satva is the tendency to produce goodness, purity, etc., Rajas is the tendency to act in the world with passions; and Tamas is the tendency to sloth, evil, etc.] whichever may get the ascendancy in response to the influences of past deeds.
Hence by following the Karma-Yoga Course, the cumulated sins of the past must melt away, and then mastery over the qualities (Guṇas[4. The properties of matter which rule the dispositions of mankind in their several worldly avocations. See Lect: XIV for an exhaustive treatment of the gunās. These are the three main characteristics of matter which keep the world moving. Satva is the tendency to produce goodness, purity, etc., Rajas is the tendency to act in the world with passions; and Tamas is the tendency to sloth, evil, etc.]) of matter is gained. The internal organ (mind) is then made pure, by which next Jñāna-Yoga becomes possible.
Otherwise, the attempt to pursue Jñāna-Yoga alone becomes a pretence, says the verse:-
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