म्हणोनि कर्म सांडिजे । कीं सांडूनि सुखी होइजे । हें न घडे गा सहजे । अर्जुना पां ॥
"Therefore, should action be abandoned? Or can one become happy by abandoning it? This, O Arjuna, is simply not possible."
💡 Meaning
Therefore, Arjuna, it is not possible to simply abandon action or to believe that one will become happy by giving up work.
🔍 Deep Interpretation
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar addresses the misconception that renunciation (Sannyasa) means the physical cessation of activities. He argues that as long as one is bound by the physical body and nature (Prakriti), absolute inaction is impossible. One cannot find true happiness or peace simply by running away from their duties. True spiritual progress lies in performing one's natural duties with a sense of detachment from the results, rather than attempting an impossible physical abandonment of action.
🎯 Practical Application
In professional life, when faced with a difficult project, one might feel like resigning to find peace. However, this verse teaches that peace is found in fulfilling the responsibility with a calm mind, not in escaping the task. For example, a doctor cannot find peace by refusing to treat patients; peace comes from performing the surgery successfully.
📌 Context
In the third chapter, Saint Dnyaneshwar explains the philosophy of action to Arjuna, emphasizing that physical renunciation of work is not the path to liberation.