An excellent explanation and commentary of what I consider to be an extremely significant verse in Bhagavad Gita, one that points out the subtle but unambiguous distinction between Sanyasa and Tyaga. between Renunciation and Non-attachment, which is essentially that it is the content of action that counts, not with the pattern of action. Gita emphasizes the motive of action, not so much the manner of activity. Renunciation deals with the outer pattern of behavior while Non-attachment is an inner, a condition of mind.
Bhagavan is alerting us to the occurrences of superficial displays of piousness and devotion while harboring thoughts and desires of a worldly nature. Swami Chinmayananda had some strong words in his commentary on this verse:
" To give physically a show of morality and ethics, while mentally living a shameless life of low motives and foul sentiments, is the occupation of a man who is not a seeker of spiritual fulfillment, but, as is termed here, a self-deluded hypocrite! Certainly we all know that, even if we can physically discipline ourselves, it is not easy for an average man to control the sensuous tendencies at his mental level."
Man's spiritual nature is to be judged from the condition of his mind and not from his demonstrable code of behavior. In fact, a really spiritual man is unostentatious; there can never be a display or demonstration in a life that is truly spiritual. Any display, whether of material possessions or of spiritual accomplishments is essentially vulgar. Surely there is nothing more crude and vulgar than the display of one's so-called virtue. Sadly, we observe so many who are well-intentioned but engage in ostentatious displays and self-righteous proclamations of perceived religious and spiritual superiority of themselves, their families and those in the congregation.
The more one displays one's spiritual conduct, the less spiritual content is there in the inner make-up of such an individual. Bhagavad Gita calls such a man a hypocrite, a man of false conduct. Swami Prakashananda once described it as religious arrogance.
We are humans, we err, we may not be doing this intentionally but it becomes habitual and if not checked becomes a permanent part our character and lifestyle. Bhagavan is telling us in this Gita 3-6 that in spirituality, it is the condition of mind that matters, not the colour of one's robe.
Bhagavan is alerting us to the occurrences of superficial displays of piousness and devotion while harboring thoughts and desires of a worldly nature. Swami Chinmayananda had some strong words in his commentary on this verse:
" To give physically a show of morality and ethics, while mentally living a shameless life of low motives and foul sentiments, is the occupation of a man who is not a seeker of spiritual fulfillment, but, as is termed here, a self-deluded hypocrite! Certainly we all know that, even if we can physically discipline ourselves, it is not easy for an average man to control the sensuous tendencies at his mental level."
Man's spiritual nature is to be judged from the condition of his mind and not from his demonstrable code of behavior. In fact, a really spiritual man is unostentatious; there can never be a display or demonstration in a life that is truly spiritual. Any display, whether of material possessions or of spiritual accomplishments is essentially vulgar. Surely there is nothing more crude and vulgar than the display of one's so-called virtue. Sadly, we observe so many who are well-intentioned but engage in ostentatious displays and self-righteous proclamations of perceived religious and spiritual superiority of themselves, their families and those in the congregation.
The more one displays one's spiritual conduct, the less spiritual content is there in the inner make-up of such an individual. Bhagavad Gita calls such a man a hypocrite, a man of false conduct. Swami Prakashananda once described it as religious arrogance.
We are humans, we err, we may not be doing this intentionally but it becomes habitual and if not checked becomes a permanent part our character and lifestyle. Bhagavan is telling us in this Gita 3-6 that in spirituality, it is the condition of mind that matters, not the colour of one's robe.
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