“The undeviating devoted spirit enjoys pure peace, because he surrenders the fruits of all actions to me; but the soul that acts with an opposite tendency, and is desirous of the rewards of his actions, becomes ensnared.”

Context of the Verse:

            This verse is made in chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga (Yoga of Renunciation of Action). Arjuna is once again asking the higher course – renunciation or selfless action which is the better one.

            Krishna is trying to explain here that actions done without attachment to the fruits of the work yet with renunciation in the mind are liberating. This verse opposes the two paths:

• The controlled Yogi, who performs his duties without attachment to the fruit, becomes peaceful.
• The reckless one, impelled by lust, and attached to the fruit, becomes bound by Karma.

Key Teachings in This Verse:

• Peace Karma Yoga means just action It is the renunciation of results, not action that leads to higher spiritual peace.
• Self-control (Yuktah) is necessary for inner peace and spiritual freedom.
• Actions performed in the desires, get Karmic bondages to the immortal soul.
• Peace is the result of renunciation, of sacrifice, not of self-indulgence.
• Freedom means not being attached, but not that one is not to do the duty.

Relevance to Arjuna:

            Arjuna is conflicted – torn between duty and renunciation. Krishna addresses this directly:

• Arjuna has to wage (act) but he must fight detached from it, not for himself.
• Krishna assures him that one can achieve spiritual liberation through action also if it is done disinterestedly.
• This advice helps Arjuna to reconcile his own warrior nature, his duties to various dependants, and his spiritual aspirations.

Explanation:

            When we are sleeping then also get Shanti, we get peace. But again, when we wake up, then all the troubles of the world hit our head and we are bothered. You take intoxication drugs. For a while we get relief. We’ve got Shanti, all right, but we want Shanti forever, tidied-up Shanti.

            How to achieve that lasting peace? So here Krishna says that you go on in My service, no more reaction of accepting the result of your work; you simply become unattached. There are those who asks sometimes, especially new ones, please explain more, how do we present the results to Krishna? Arjuna was facing Krishna. Arjuna was knowing what Krishna wanted, and he was knowing how to work for Krishna & the results how to give to Krishna.

            But how do we do that? Even how do we render service to Krishna. How do we offer the results? hence Krishna says in fourth chapter, work for me. How for example Viceroy would come from England and he would everything as required from a king and he will be given so many gifts but he will not use any of it for his own satisfaction. He will carry it away and deliver it to the king or queen. Irrespective of deposit our letter-in post office or in the letter box, it will reach its destination. Likewise, we can also understand that if we are highly qualified like Arjuna, or we are Brahma Kumaras, we can go directly and take instruction from Krishna, what is Krishna’s service, so we can serve, we can do some service and give the results to Krishna, or we can find out who is Krishna’s servant who is executing Krishna’s order here. That is the disciple, pure devotee of Krishna Guru.

            And what Krishna service does Krishna have spoken to Krishna service?

            Passing on these teachings to others to remove living beings from suffering. That is my work. So, if you find somebody is propagating this knowledge of Bhava Gita of Dharma -to others very sincerely repeating the words of Krishna and to get all the living of their miseries in their service in such an establishment we can do Seva and we can offer the results of our activities.

            And when we do, we get what? And then it’s not temporary – Shanti of sleep or intoxication, but then we are permanently Shant. We are always very peaceful. So firmly. Lord Krishna is telling you, then please stand on this first level of spiritual platform, first pedestal and that is “Please give up the results of your activities.

            So, life doesn’t become very, very blissful by piling up wealth or by increasing the sense gratification. It acts the other way around. So, in the end, just for keeping body and soul together. One has to become tired and bored of extra sense gratification, if we see the results we should give the extra results for Krishna’s service and then self-purification takes place.