Desirable, Undesirable And Mixed – In Gita Verse 18.12 For one who is not renounced, the threefold fruits of action – desirable, undesirable and mixed – accrue after death. But those who are in the renounced order of life have no such result to suffer or enjoy.
Bhagavad Gita Verse 18.12 states that for those who have not renounced, the threefold outcomes of actions – desirable, undesirable, and mixed – persist even after death. Conversely, individuals in the renounced order of life do not experience such results.
Actions of virtuous individuals yield three types of outcomes: good, bad, and mixed, even extending beyond death. Those who do not relinquish the desire for results act with intense desire, hatred, and greed, which leave deep imprints on their minds. These mental imprints persist beyond this life, creating a cycle influenced by karma. When a person acts driven by desire and ego, they retain the identity of the doer, and the lines of karma are etched deeply into their consciousness, akin to carvings on stone. This principle of karma dictates that life continues to be shaped by these impressions, perpetuating a cycle of cause and effect that spans multiple lifetimes.
In contrast, a person who surrenders everything to the natural flow of existence also leaves marks, but these are like lines drawn on water – ephemeral and quickly erased. Such an individual may perform many actions but leaves no lasting trace, thereby achieving a clean departure from this world. The poet Kabir eloquently described this concept, likening it to returning the earth’s covering without a stain, which emphasises the importance of living in a manner that does not leave a mark. This approach underscores the value of detachment and the relinquishment of the ego, allowing one to engage in life’s activities without being bound by the consequences of their actions.
Renouncing the desire for results and the sense of being the doer is key. This approach requires no effort; it involves living with an open heart and surrendering all actions. The metaphor of wearing a blanket with care illustrates that actions do not taint the doer if performed without attachment. The world is likened to a stage where one must act without being entangled, maintaining a sense of detachment and transcendence.
Krishna’s concept of renunciation is subtle and profound. Such an individual is free from the bondage of karma, experiencing neither attachment nor detachment. This state is both the simplest and most challenging form of spiritual practice, as it requires relinquishing the sense of doing, which the mind finds difficult. Listening attentively to this teaching can lead to understanding and liberation without the need for further effort.
Living in security leads to unconsciousness, while insecurity fosters alertness and consciousness. In moments of danger, individuals become acutely aware, as survival instincts crystallise their attention. This heightened state of awareness, often sought in risky activities like gambling, reflects a deeper search for meditation and crystallised attention.
The quest for new experiences, whether through relationships, possessions, or achievements, is driven by a desire for moments of crystallised attention, akin to meditation. True bliss and joy are found in these moments of heightened awareness. Therefore, attaining bliss requires awakening from a state of unconsciousness.
Religion and meditation are searches for alertness. Whether through battle, hunting, or spiritual practice, the underlying pursuit is the same: achieving a state of total awareness. Meditation involves realising one’s full potential for knowing, transforming latent capabilities into actualised awareness.
Krishna emphasises that until one’s full potential is realised, one will continue to experience the outcomes of desirable, undesirable, and mixed actions.
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