B.G 2.47
karmaṇyēvādhikārastē mā phalēṣu kadācana। mā karmaphalahēturbhūrmā tē saṅgō'stvakarmaṇi ॥2-47॥
You are entitled only to perform your prescribed actions and never to its outcomes. At no point in time, think yourself to cause outcomes resulting from your activities, neither get attached to inaction.
Gīta Bhāshya 2.47
Madhvacharya rejects the notion that two groups of seekers exist, with one requiring 'Karma-Yoga' and the other following 'Jnana-Yoga'. Arjuna is born from a portion of god Indra and sage Nara, as per Mahabharata. So Arjuna does not belong to a lower category of seekers. All seekers should follow a single path. The general principle recommended is to perform actions without desire. Inaction neither leads to knowledge nor to a desire-less state. Inaction is also an action and ends up giving results. Hence, it is mandatory for a person to perform action. Material results are promised in scriptures for benevolent action to develop taste, similar to mixing medicine with sweet to make it palatable. It doesn't imply desire is recommended. Don't become 'karmaphalahētuḥ' , one who takes up action for the sake of its results. At the same time don't be attached to inaction. Seeking to serve the lord and aspiring for his knowledge is always agreeable, and is an exception to the rule.
kāmātmanāṁ nindā kr̥tā। katham ēṣām 'svargakāmō yajēta' ityādau kāmasyāpi vihitatvāt ityata āha- 'karmaṇyēvēti'।
The lustful souls have been condemned (in 2.42). How so, when desire is agreeable and prescribed in several texts, such as - "One who desires heaven should perform sacrifice" ? It is clarified in 'karmaṇyēva' verse.
tē ityupalakṣaṇārtham। tava jñāninōpi na phalakāma kartavyatā। kimu anyēṣām। natvasti kēṣāñcit na tē astīti।
The word 'tē' is meant to address everyone with Arjuna as an example, and not specifically to Arjuna. You, being knowledgeable, perform action as a duty, not with desire. What about others? It does not mean others can do actions with desire.
sa hi jñānī narāṁśaḥ indraśca। mōhādistu abhibhavādēḥ। yadi tēṣāṁ śuddhasattvānāṁ na syāt jjñānam kva anyēṣām। upadēśādēśca siddhaṁ jñānaṁ tēṣām। 'pārthārṣṭiṣēṇa' ityādi jñānigaṇanācca।
Arjuna is a Jnānin as he is born from a portion of great sage Nara, and also a portion of god Indra. He is experiencing delusion. If those with pure satva quality can have deterioration of knowledge, what about others? It is well established that Indra is a Jnanin as he is the one who teaches (to Vishwamitra in the episode of Vasishtha Vs Vishwamitra). Arjuna is included in the list of knowledgeable by stating 'pārthārṣṭiṣēṇa' .
kāmaniṣēdha ēvātra। phalāni hyasvātantryēṇa bhavanti। na hi karmaphalāni karmābhāvē yatnatō bhavanti । bhavanti ca kāmyakarmiṇō viparyayaprayatnē pi avirōdhē।
The desire is forbidden in this verse as well. The results occur independently (of desire or non-desire). Results of action can't be avoided just by having a non-attitude towards action, as it occurs by effort. (Inaction is also an effort and will have results.) Just as results are obtained without opposition for actions performed with desire, employing wrong effort.
ataḥ karmākaraṇē ēva pratyavāyaḥ। na tu jñānādinā vā akāmanayā phalāprāptau। ataḥ karmaṇyēvādhikāraḥ। atastadēva kāryam। na tu kāmēna jñānādiniṣēdhēna vā phalaprāptiḥ। kāmavacanānāṁ tātparyaṁ bhagavatyaiva uktam।
Therefore, a person is affected with sin only by the non-performance of action. Neither he gets knowledge nor desire-less state. Hence, it is said, 'karmaṇyēvādhikāraḥ' , i.e. "You have right in respect of action alone" . It is mandatory for a person to perform action. The knowledgeable perform action neither with desire nor with the intention of abandoning results. Lord Vyasa himself has said as follows regarding the statements that prescribe desire:
"rōcanārthaṁ phalaśrutiḥ", "yathā bhaiṣajyarōcanam"
"to develop taste results are stated", "similar to medicine getting mixed with sweet"
ityādau bhāgavatē। ata ēva "kāmī yajēta" ityarthaḥ। na tu kāmī bhūtvā ityarthaḥ। "niṣkāmaṁ jñānapūrvaṁ ca" iti vacanāt। (manu 12-89) vakṣyamāṇēbhyaśca ।
Such statements are present in Bhāgavata Purāna. Therefore, it is stated, 'if you have desire, perform sacrifice'. It does not mean 'become desire-full'. "Action performed without desire results in knowledge" - states a dictum (from Manu smruti 12-89). It is an ancient proverb as well.
"vasantē vasantē jyōtiṣā yajēta" ityādibhyaśca। ataḥ mā karmaphalahēturbhūḥ। karmaphalaṁ tatkr̥tau hētuḥ yasya saḥ karmaphalahētuḥ। saḥ mā bhūḥ। tarhi na karōmi ityata āha– 'mā tē' iti। karmākaraṇē snēhō māstu ityarthaḥ। anya phalābhāvēpi matprasādākhyaphalabhāvāt।
There are statements such as -
"Spring after spring, perform lamp sacrifice."
Therefore, don't perform action with the intention to cause results. The one who takes up action for the sake of its results is - 'karmaphalahētuḥ'. Don't become like that. Then, if one says, I will not undertake action, then Krishna says– "mā tē" verse. "Don't be attached to not performing action" - is the meaning. "Though you are not desirous of other results, result in terms of my (Krishna's) grace is anyway obtained", (is the purport).
icchā ca tasya yuktā "vr̥ṇīmahē tē paritōṣaṇāya" iti mahadācārāt । anindanāt viśēṣataḥ itaranindanācca। sāmānyaṁ viśēṣō bādhatē iti ca prasiddham – "sarvānānaya naikaṁ maitram" ityādau। ataḥ
The desire towards the satisfaction of the Lord is agreeable.
"For your satisfaction, we undertake all actions"
- is the greater purport behind all practices. Such acts are especially not forbidden, though other acts are forbidden. It is a well-established rule that generality does not bind the exception. In the example - "Bring everyone, not Maitra", Maitra is excluded from everyone. Therefore, it is said:
"naikātmatāṁ mē spr̥hayanti kēcit", "bhaktimanvicchantaḥ", "brahmajijñāsā", "vijñāya prajñāṁ kurvīta", "draṣṭavyaḥ"
"Some don't seek to be separated from me even for a moment", "Seeking my devotion one should study", "One must deeply understand Brahman", "To known Him, perform", "To see Him"
ityādi vacanēbhyaḥ। vārthasēvakaṁ prati na tathā snēhaḥ kiṁ dadāmītyuktē sēvādiyācakaṁ prati bahutaraḥ snēhaḥ iti laukikanyāyācca bhaktijñānādiprārthanā kāryēti siddham ॥47॥
- are the proverbs. When asked whom he would give, the person who seeks service is always dearer and favoured compared to one who is after wealth and selfish gains. The work is accomplished even in the material world by praying with devotion and knowledge (to the master).
