The White Hindu
We are doing a scripture study together: reading along through some scriptures and discussing the passages.
From the Winthrop Sargeant translation of The Gita…
39. This (insight) is wisdom, as declared in the theory of Sankhya;
Now hear it as applied in arduous practice;
Yoked with this determination, Arjuna,
You shall rid yourself of the bondage of karma.
40. Here (in the yoga doctrine of practice) no effort is lost,
Nor is any loss of progress found.
Even a little of this discipline
Protects one from great danger.
41. Here there is a single resolute understanding, Arjuna.
The thoughts of the irresolute
Have many branches and are, indeed, endless.
Notes on the Sanskrit
Sargeant explains that “Sankhya” and the “theory of Sankhya” is one of the ancient traditional systems of Hindu philosophy. It is, in other words, the “path of knowledge” or “jnana yoga.” Sargeant’s notes say that this path often overlaps in The Gita with the path of action. It says that the concept of the gunas comes from the Sankhya theory and also the idea of conservation of matter in that everything that ever will exist already does and nothing can be created and destroyed so even death does not end anything, it is just another state of matter.
In verse 41, the “thoughts of the irresolute” is actually the discriminating intellect, the word is “buddhi.” It is translated as insights, intelligences, enlightenments, but it is closely related to a mind’s ability to discern and make correct choices.
Commentaries of Gurus
A brief introduction as to the correct understanding concerning the eternality of the immortal soul that has just been described is now concluded and the path of actions known as karma yoga which is the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the Ultimate Consciousness is now being introduced…Since it is ones own fruitive desires that causes fruitive actions and subsequent reactions, by renouncing the desire for any fruitive results and performing actions as a matter of duty a living entity is automatically freed from any fruitive reactions…
These doubts are now being alleviated in this verse where it states that by the path of karma yoga, being free from fruitive desires there is no loss or diminution from any endeavour which is undertaken in righteousness nor is any effort wasted as is the case with actions having fruitive desires. In this there is no possibility of incurring any sin or reaction from such actions as these actions performed in righteousness are surrendered to the Supreme Lord and completely free from the desire of fruitive results. Moreover even the smallest amount of effort on this path of righteousness saves a living entity from the great danger of transmigration of being born again and again in the material existence endlessly. –Sridhara Swami’s Commentary
Whereas in the case of those with fragmented and unfocused minds who engage in various activities each intended to acquire some result such as heaven, wealth, fame, power and so forth and so on the schemes are endless as the desires are endless. –Ramanuja’s Commentary
Propitiation of the Supreme Lord Krishna is performed only by very few as only a very few actually possess the quality of being singular and resolute in their commitment. Any performance done by others is disparate and irresolute due to the overwhelming impressions within their mind giving them an endless procession of distracting opinions. –Madhvacarya’s Commentary
My Thoughts
Verse 39 is where we find out what the reward is of following Krishna’s advice. It’s not just that Krishna wants Arjuna to avoid humiliation as a warrior, but if he can remain calm through this challenge, the real reward is that he could break the cycle of karma. This is the goal of human life. Every action has results and those results and consequences attach themselves to us to be played out. Krishna is revealing the secret for how to act without letting those consequences attach to the soul and making it play through all the results.
I’ve always found verse 40 to be a great comfort. “No effort is lost.” So even if I make mistakes, or am not as dedicated as I should be, it doesn’t erase my previous effort. I can always get back on track and I won’t have lost progress. That’s a huge relief to me. I think if I had to start at square one every time I’d give up pretty quickly.
The description of the thoughts of the irresolute certainly are familiar. “Many branches and are, indeed, endless.” What a great description of the mind when it isn’t disciplined! Yet, as noted above, the word in the Sanskrit is slightly different from “thoughts.”
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