Verse 3.5

Verse 3.5: “For, nobody, even for a single moment, can ever remain un-engaged in activity, since everyone is compelled, helpless, to act, through Nature’s constituent aspects. (53)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

As long as we are under the sway of illusion (māyā) the mother of three Gunas, it is ignorance to speak of adhering to and renunciation of action; for actions are naturally dependent upon the three Gunas (satva-rajas-tamas). Assuming, we renounce all actions enjoined by the Scriptures as duties, would that serve to put an end to the natural tendencies of the senses? Would the ears leave off hearing, or eyes seeing, or would the nostrils be choked up and stop smelling—tell me: or would the life-winds “Prana” and “Apana” cease to move, or the mind become blank, or would hunger and thirst and other desires stop functioning or would slumber or the wakeful functioning of mind cease, and would the legs forget walking, or apart from all this, would birth and death be got rid of? If all these things cannot be stopped, then renunciation of action is meaningless. So long, therefore, as there is the sway of Maya it is not possible to renounce action. All actions take place automatically through the force of Maya: so long, therefore, as that Maya is in existence, the individual holding to or renunciation of the grip of action proves unavailing. Just see, even if one were to sit motionless in a chariot, still he has got to be moving along with the chariot, being dependent (on the chariot). Or as a dried up leaf gets blown away by wind, and continues to float in the sky-cavity even though it is lifeless, in the same way under the influence of Maya and of the organs of action, actions continue to be done automatically even at the hands of persons of “action-free status.” Therefore, relinquishment of Karman cannot be effected so long as there is the influence of Maya. In spite of this, those that say they can relinquish (Karman) are simply perversely obstinate.