Bhagavad Gita 18.3 · Krishna
Two schools of thought
त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिणः।
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यमिति चापरे॥
tyājyaṃ doṣavadityeke karma prāhurmanīṣiṇaḥyajñadānatapaḥkarma na tyājyamiti cāpare
Some thinkers say all action should be given up as flawed. Others say acts of offering, giving and discipline must never be given up.
Words
- yajña
- tapas
What it means
Krishna fairly presents both sides of an old debate. Some sages taught that all action is flawed, so give it all up. Others said no, yajna, offering, giving and tapas, discipline, should never be abandoned. Krishna lays out both before giving his own view.
The story
Like a good teacher, Krishna doesn't hide the debate from Arjuna. He wants him to understand the options before choosing.
In your life
Think of two friends after burnout, one moving to a retreat, one changing how they work. Both have a point. Before deciding something big, hear both sides fairly.
Hear both sides before you choose.