Chapter 18Final Revelations of the Ultimate TruthVerse 9

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Sanskrit Vocal

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Anvaya

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Commentaries of the Four Authorized Vaisnava Sampradayas

as confirmed in the Garga Samhita Canto 10, Chapter 61, Verses 23, 24, 25, 26
Rudra Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Visnuswami

Sridhara Swami's Commentary

Lord Krishna concludes this exposition by stating that when prescribed Vedic activities and obligatory rites which are compulsory for all human beings such as following ekadasi which is fasting from all grains and beans on the 11th day during both the waxing and waning moon and is performed in knowledge as a matter of duty without any attachment or desire for rewards is known to be clearly situated in sattva guna the mode of goodness. The Skanda Purana beginning matraha pitraha caiva bhatraha guruha tatha ekadasyantu confirms that all who eat grains on ekadasi can never achieve liberation from material existence and attain communion with the Supreme Lord. So it is for the ultimate benefit of all human beings that it is compulsory not to eat grains on ekadasi and this axiom applies also to all the Vedic ordinances and injunctions.

Brahma Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Madhvacarya
There is no commentary for this verse.

Sri Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Ramanuja

Ramanuja's Commentary

It should be understood and clearly comprehended that all prescribed Vedic activities both nitya or eternal and naimittika or occasional are obligatory duties for aspirants seeking moksa or liberation from material existence and communion with the Supreme Lord. These prescribed activities devolve into the specific duties varna and asrama or the stage and class one is situated in. This may be initiated by birth but it is established inherently and qualified by deeds. Actual renunciation is performing such prescribed Vedic activities free from egoism, without any attachment or desire for any rewards. This is real renunciation and is situated in sattva guna the mode of goodness where the source of spiritual realisation commences; properly situated in correct knowledge, untainted by delusion and free from illusion. This theme will appear again in verse 30.

Kumara Vaisnava Sampradaya:


Nimbaditya

Kesava Kasmiri's Commentary

Now Lord Krishna reveals renunciation characterised with the mode of goodness. Prescribed Vedic activities performed as karyam iti eva a sense of duty and tvaktya sangam abandoning attachment to receiving rewards for one's actions and any and all ego sense are situated in sattva guna because they are performed for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord by the grace of the Vaisnava preceptor. This includes both daily activities and occasional activities. The purport is that activities performed with an intent of offering them to the Supreme Lord purifies the consciousness and bestows spiritual knowledge.

Thus ends commentaries of chapter 18, verse 9 of the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita.

Verse 9


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