Word meanings
- pravṛttim
- activities
- ca
- and
- nivṛttim
- renuncation from action
- ca
- and
- kārya
- proper action
- akārye
- improper action
- bhaya
- fear
- abhaye
- without fear
- bandham
- what is binding
- mokṣam
- what is liberating
- ca
- and
- yā
- which
- vetti
- understands
- buddhiḥ
- intellect
- sā
- that
- pārtha
- son of Pritha
- sāttvikī
- in the nature of goodness
Translations
The intellect which knows the path of work and renunciation, what should be done and what should not be done, fear and fearlessness, bondage and liberation—that intellect is Sattvic (pure), O Arjuna.
That intellect which understands the creation and dissolution of life, what actions should be done and what not, which discriminates between fear and fearlessness, bondage and deliverance, is Pure.
O Partha, that intellect is born of sattva which understands action and withdrawal, duty and what is not duty, the sources of fear and fearlessness, as well as bondage and freedom.
हे पृथानन्दन ! जो बुद्धि प्रवृत्ति और निवृत्तिको, कर्तव्य और अकर्तव्यको, भय और अभयको तथा बन्धन और मोक्षको जानती है, वह बुद्धि सात्त्विकी है।Commentary
The threefold nature of knowledge has been described already (verse 22 above). Now the threefold nature of the intellect is described. Knowledge is different from the intellect. Pravritti Action The cause of bondage the path of action. Nivritti Inaction The cause of liberation the path of renunciation the path of Sannyasa. Karyakarye The pure intellect knows what ought to be done and what ought not to be done at, particular places and times it knows the actions that produce visible or invisible results, that are enjoined or prohibited by the scriptures.
It guides a man who relies on the scriptural ordinances for his daily conduct of life. Bhayabhaye Fear and fearlessness The cause of fear and fearlessness either visible or invisible. Bandham moksham Bondage and liberation together with their causes. Knowledge is a Vritti (function or state) of the intellect whereas intellect is what functions or undergoes the change of state. Even firmness is only a particular Vritti (modification or state) of the intellect. (Cf.XVIII.20)