Verse 18.23 : Moksha Sanyasa Yoga "Liberation and Renunciation"
Verse 23 of 78
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The Translation
“Action which is obligatory, performed without attachment, without love or hatred, by one who does not seek its fruit, is said to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik).”
Commentary & Insights
Krishna defines the quality of action performed under Sattva (goodness). In the framework of Karma Yoga, this is action that is in harmony with cosmic order (dharma), performed as a contribution to the whole rather than a tool for ego expansion.
Practical Application
1
Perform your tasks today with clean focus, avoiding resentment even if the work is mundane.
Reflections & Notes
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Self-Reflection Prompts
- Can you perform your everyday job without being driven by like or dislike for the tasks? How does this increase your efficiency?
- Why is action done without attachment (sanga-rahita) less exhausting than action driven by ego?
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18.23
नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम्
Shankara comments that 'niyataṃ' refers to duties prescribed by scriptures for one's stage of life. Performing them without anger or excitement (arāga-dveṣataḥ) ensures that the action does not agitate the mind, acting as a direct purifier of the intellect.