Bhagavad Gita Verse 18.23

Beyond Love – In Gita Verse 18.23 That action which is regulated and which is performed without attachment, without love or hatred, and without desire for fruitive results is said to be in the mode of goodness.

In Bhagavad Gita Verse 18.23, The action that is regulated and performed without attachment, devoid of love or hatred, and without the desire for fruitive results is considered to be in the mode of goodness.

The work prescribed by the scriptures, executed without attachment or hatred by an individual who lacks pride in being the doer and does not seek the results, is termed Satvik. Satvik Karma, as defined by the scriptures, is performed in accordance with the guidance of those who are enlightened and awakened. Unlike the tamasic person who acts out of ignorance or the rajasic person driven by excessive energy and excitement, a virtuous person acts neither out of ignorance nor energy but in adherence to the scriptures. They follow the sutras provided by enlightened beings, trusting in their wisdom rather than their own, thus relinquishing the pride of being the doer.

Naturally, when one follows the rules of the Shastra, the sense of being the doer diminishes, as the actions are perceived as guided rather than self-initiated.

The concept of love is complex, encompassing both love and hate. This duality often manifests in relationships, creating inner conflict. For instance, a couple may experience a simultaneous desire to be together and apart, reflecting the inherent contradictions in love.

Krishna explains that true love involves both joy and suffering. The peaks of happiness in love are accompanied by valleys of pain. Attempting to eliminate the negative aspects of love also removes the positive, as they are intrinsically linked. Love, therefore, is a dynamic interplay of coming together and separating, akin to a yo-yo. This cyclical nature of love ensures that the joy of reunion is sustained by periods of separation.

In relationships, the balance between closeness and personal boundaries is crucial. Overstepping these boundaries can lead to conflict, as individuals need to maintain their sense of self. The interplay of closeness and distance is essential for a healthy relationship, much like the balance of eating and fasting.

Love serves as nourishment for the soul, requiring intervals of separation to maintain its vitality. A genuine love affair involves a continuous cycle of union and separation, each enhancing the other. The joy of being together necessitates the pain of parting, as it is the price one pays for the pleasure of love.

Krishna underscores that love is the foremost challenge in life. He asserts that once one transcends love, the worldly struggles come to an end, culminating in a state of nirvana. He encourages individuals to fully experience both the joys and miseries associated with love, as this process is essential to ultimately moving beyond love. It is important to remember that love is the only problem; once you have transcended love, the world as you know it is finished, and you will not return to it. This state of nirvana signifies a departure from the worldly cycle. This transcendence leads to a state of meditation, where one discovers happiness in solitude, independent of external influences.

The journey towards God involves two steps: love, which requires another person for happiness, and meditation, which finds contentment in solitude. Authentic love, unlike marriage, provides the experiences necessary to realise that true happiness lies in aloneness. Dependence on others for happiness makes one a slave, whereas freedom, a higher value than love, is achieved through the experience of love.

Once one transcends love, a different quality of love emerges, characterised by friendship rather than lust. This love is a pure sharing of energy, independent of the presence of others. In this state, there is no distinction between being alone and being with someone, embodying the essence of meditation.

Krishna teaches that understanding the duality of love and hate, and achieving a state where love is pure and independent, leads to actions in the mode of goodness.