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THE BRAHMANICAL DOCTRINE OF LIBERATION
ashes" (IV. 37). It would appear that even the law of karma is overruled by the might of knowledge. Doubt and ignorance cause sufferings. One should cut doubt with the sword of knowledge. Knowledge is much more powerful than rituals and sacrifices. The Gita says: "Better than material sacrifice is the sacrifice (that consists) of knowledge. All actions without remainder are completely ended in knowledge." Knowledge purifies; indeed there is nothing on earth equal in purity to knowledge: na hi jñānena sadṛśam pavitramiha vidyate.62
This saving knowledge consists in knowing the real nature of God. "He who knows me to be unborn, without beginning, the great lord of the world, being free from delusion, is released from all sins."63 Thus the true knowledge is the knowledge of God and about God. By knowing God one is liberated.
THE PATH OF ACTION
In addition to knowledge (jñāna), the Gita lays down the path of disciplined activity. This aspect of its teaching has been popularised in modern times by such great men as Swami Vivekananda, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi. These leaders have emphasized what they called self-less action or action without attachment to its fruit (nişkamakarma).
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It should be noted that the Gītā teaches renunciation of attachment rather than of actions. It is pointed out that it is not possible to renounce actions. The Lord says that although there is nothing for me to do, "still I do engage in action." Since men imitate God, He must act. "If I did not perform actions, these worlds would be destroyed, I should be the cause of caste-interminglings; and I should be ruining these people." The Gita asks its readers to dedicate all actions to God. The God of the Bhagavadgītā is an active God. He reincarnates Himself as a man and acts among men. Of course He is not defiled by actions. He declares :
"Actions defile me not. I have no attachment to the fruit of actions. He who knows me thus is not tied down by actions. Knowing this, the men of old who wished for final emancipation, performed actions. Therefore, do you too perform action as was done by men of old in olden times.''65
62.
63.
64.
65.
Ibid., IV. 33 and 38. See also IV 9-10; VII. 19; X.3.
Ibid., X.3. Tr. by K.T. Telang.
Ibid., III, 24. Tr. by. K.T. Telang.
Ibid., IV. 14-15, Tr. by K.T. Telang.
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