Chapter 18 Shloka 23
नियतं संगरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम्।
अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यत्तत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते।।२३।।
Now Bhagwan speaks of the characteristics of sattvic karma or actions fostered by the attribute of sattva.
That obligatory action, which is performed by one who is devoid of attachment, attraction, repulsion and any desire for fruit, is sattvic in nature.
Sattvic karma (सात्त्विककर्म)
Any obligatory deed which is devoid of attachment, attraction or repulsion, and which is performed without desire for its fruit is a sattvic deed.
Niyat karma (नियतकर्म)
1. That action which is performed in accordance with one’s dharma.
2. That action which is prescribed by scriptural decree.
3. That action which colours one’s life in the hues of yagya.
4. That act which it is one’s duty to perform.
5. That action which transforms one’s life into the life of an Atmavaan.
6. An action which is self instigated and self controlled.
7. An action which is in conformity with one’s nature and wrought by destiny.
8. Obligatory actions which must be performed towards those with whom destiny has associated us.
9. Those deeds which are necessary for the continuation of life’s journey.
All these are categorised as niyat karma.
(For a further elucidation of niyat karma, see Chp.18, shloka 47)
Actions devoid of attachment
1. Actions which are performed free of any sense of doership.
2. Actions devoid of identification of the ‘I’.
3. Actions performed by one who is uninfluenced by those deeds.
4. Actions with which the doer does not retain any association.
5. Actions performed without the veils of any ulterior thoughts or motives.
These actions are considered to be devoid of attachment.
Such deeds are performed by those:
a) who do not become identified with their deeds;
b) who understand the basic essence underlying the qualities.
One who is devoid of attraction and repulsion, who transcends likes and dislikes, hatred, enmity, jealousy and greed and who is not prompted by desire, performs such action.
Action performed without desire for its fruit
a) is performed without worrying about the consequences;
b) is not influenced by the resultant renown or calumny;
c) is truly nishkam or devoid of any selfish desire;
d) is performed by one who is silent towards the fruits of that action.
The Lord says, “Such deeds are sattvic in nature.”
1. This is the definition of a yogi or one united with the Supreme.
2. This is the mark of one who is ever satiated.
3. This is the characteristic of one who is ever uninfluenced and untouched.
4. This is the act of a renunciate.
5. This is the act of one who is a sanyasi – one who has mentally renounced attachment with all objects.
6. Such are the deeds of one who is devoid of meum and moha.
7. Thus are described the actions of one who is devoid of the intellect that is subservient to the body-self.
The deeds of such a one are all essentially sattvic by nature; because such people:
a) engage in action to obliterate the ‘I’ from memory;
b) engage in action in order to forget themselves;
c) are essentially asleep towards their own body-self;
d) are essentially satiated within themselves.
