The Dhaarmik Traditions - Indic Studies Foundation

Verily, it is not possible for an embodied being to abandon actions entirely ; but he
who relinquishes the rewards of actions is verily called a man of renunciation.
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From the Mahabharata
Santi Parva, Section CCXLI
Translated by Sri Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Addressing his father, Suka said:
The declarations of the Vedas are twofold. They once lay down the command, "Do all
acts." They also indicate the reverse saying, "Give up acts." Where do persons go by
the aid of Knowledge and where by the aid of Acts Indeed, these declarations about
knowledge and acts are dissimilar and even contradictory. I desire to hear this. Do tell
me this.
Vyasa said: I shall expound to thee the two paths, viz., the destructible and the
indestructible, depending respectively upon acts and knowledge. Listen with
concentrated attention, O child, to me, as I tell thee the place that is reached by one
with the aid of knowledge, and that other place which is reached with the aid of acts.
The difference between these two places, is as great as the limitless sky. These are the
two paths upon which the Vedas are established; the duties indicated by Pravritti, and
those based on Nivritti.
Pravritti
By acts, a living creature is destroyed. By knowledge, however, he becomes
emancipated. For this reason, Yogis who behold the other side of the ocean of life
never betake themselves to acts. Through acts one is forced to take rebirth, after
death, with a body composed of the six and ten ingredients.
Nivritti
Through knowledge, however, one becomes transformed into that which is Eternal,
Unman fest, and Immutable.
One class of persons that are however of little intelligence, applaud acts. In
consequence of this they have to assume bodies (one after another) ceaselessly.
Those men whose perceptions are keen in respect of duties and who have attained to
that high understanding (which leads to knowledge), never applaud acts even as
persons that depend for their drinking water upon the supply of streams never applaud
wells and water tanks.
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