18.6 EthAnyapi thu karmANi

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama:  SrImath varavaramunayE nama:

Chapter 18

<< Chapter 18 Verse 5

SlOkam – Original

EthAnyapi thu karmANi sangam thyakthvA palAni cha |
karthavyAnIthi mE pArtha niSchitham matham uththamam ||

word-by-word meaning

pArtha – Oh son of kunthI!
EthAni karmANi apithu – these karmas (like the upAsana (the means))
sangam – the thought of “mine”
palAni cha – the desire for the result
thyakthvA – giving up
karthavyAni – must be performed (by mumukshus);
ithi – this is
mE – my
niSchitham uththamam matham – firm and top-most principle.

Simple Translation

Oh son of kunthI! These karmas (like the upAsana (the means)) must be performed (by mumukshus) giving up the thought of “mine” and the desire for the result; this is my firm and top-most principle.

Rendering based on ALkoNdavilli gOvindhAchArya swAmy’s English translation of gIthA bhAshyam

‘That such works as these ought to be done, forsaking attachment and fruits, is, Pārtha! My best and veritable verdict.’

Inasmuch as Yajña, Dāna, Tapas etc., are lustrational to the upāsakas, and partake of the nature of My worship, they must, like the upāsana itself, be practised daily by the Moksha-aspirant till time of dissolution, forsaking attachment = idea of ‘my-ness’ (mamatā), and forsaking fruits. This is My true and best opinion.

>> Chapter 18 Verse 7

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