म्हणौनि कर्म तरी कीजे । परि तें फळाशा त्यजिजे । जैसें बीज तरी पेरिजे । परि दग्ध करूनि ॥
"Therefore, perform your duties, but let go of the craving for rewards. It is like sowing a seed that has been parched; it fulfills the act of sowing but does not sprout into further bondage."
💡 Meaning
Therefore, perform your actions, but renounce the desire for their fruits. Just as a seed is sown after being roasted so it won't sprout, actions without attachment do not cause bondage.
🔍 Deep Interpretation
In this verse, Saint Dnyaneshwar elucidates the core principle of Nishkama Karma (selfless action). He advises that one must perform their duties but renounce the attachment to the results. He employs a powerful agricultural metaphor: just as a seed that has been roasted (dagdha) loses its potential to sprout even when sown in fertile soil, an action performed without the desire for fruit loses its power to bind the individual to the cycle of rebirth. Such actions are transformed into 'Akarma' (inaction in action), leading the seeker toward spiritual liberation while they remain active in the world.
🎯 Practical Application
In professional life, focus on the excellence of your task rather than obsessing over the promotion or bonus. This 'roasted seed' approach ensures high-quality work without the anxiety of the outcome.
📌 Context
Saint Dnyaneshwar explains the technique of performing actions without incurring karmic bondage, using the metaphor of roasted seeds.