ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं परिज्ञाता त्रिविधा कर्मचोदना | करणं कर्म कर्तेति त्रिविध: कर्मसंग्रह: || 18 || |
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Commentary
This verse highlights the threefold aspects related to action and knowledge. Knowledge (Jnana): It refers to understanding or awareness. In the context of this verse, it represents knowledge of one’s duty, understanding the nature of reality, and discernment between right and wrong actions.
The object of knowledge (Jneya): It refers to the perceived or known objects. In the context of action, it represents the various objects, situations, or goals that one seeks to achieve through their actions. These can include material possessions, achievements, relationships, or spiritual goals.
The knower (Parijnata): It refers to the individual who possesses knowledge and engages in actions. The knower is the one who makes choices and decisions based on their understanding and awareness.
The verse also introduces the three constituents of action:
The senses (Karana): The senses are the instruments through which actions are performed. They include the faculties of hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling, touching, and the power of speech. The senses are the channels through which an individual interacts with the external world and engages in various activities.
The work (Karma): It refers to the actual physical, verbal, or mental actions performed by an individual. It includes all the activities carried out using the body, mind, and speech.
The doer (Karta): The doer represents the individual who initiates and performs the actions. It is the sense of personal agency associated with the doer, the belief that “I am the one doing this action.”
The verse suggests that actions are prompted by the interplay of knowledge, the object of knowledge, and the knower. The choices and actions of an individual are influenced by their understanding, their perception of the objects or goals to be attained, and their sense of identity as the doer.
Similarly, the verse emphasizes that actions involve the coordination of the senses, the actual performance of work, and the belief of personal agency as the doer.
In summary, this verse highlights the interplay between knowledge, the object of knowledge, and the knower in influencing actions, as well as the coordination of the senses, the work performed, and the belief of personal agency in action. It provides a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of human actions and the factors that drive them.