Text 17 yas tv ätma-ratir eva syäd ätma-tåptaç ca mänavaù ätmany eva ca santuñöas tasya käryaà na vidyate “But for one who takes pleasure in the self, whose human life is one of self- realization, and who is satisfied in the self only, fully satiated—for him there is no duty.” Duty (Karma) – For the purpose of purification. E.g. Sex enjoyment – take care of children. Duty (Karma) – For the purpose of purification. E.g. Sex enjoyment – take care of children. Duties of two kind – relation to body and relation to soul. Duties of two kind – relation to body and relation to soul. One who is engaged in relation to soul, no duty in relation to body. E.g. duties of prisoner and free citizen. One who is engaged in relation to soul, no duty in relation to body. E.g. duties of prisoner and free citizen.

Text 18 naiva tasya kåtenärtho näkåteneha kaçcana na cäsya sarva-bhüteñu kaçcid artha-vyapäçrayaù “A self-realized man has no purpose to fulfill in the discharge of his prescribed duties, nor has he any reason not to perform such work. Nor has he any need to depend on any other living being.” No duties for Krsna Conscious person. No duties for Krsna Conscious person. But at the same time not inactive (detached from both activity as well as incativity). But at the same time not inactive (detached from both activity as well as incativity). No dependance on anyone else other than Krsna. No dependance on anyone else other than Krsna.

Text 19 Attachment to fruit is due to desire for sense gratification. Attachment to fruit is due to desire for sense gratification. Thus sense gratification is sinful even if done as per scriptures. Thus sense gratification is sinful even if done as per scriptures. The result of the sin of sense gratification – cycle of birth & death. The result of the sin of sense gratification – cycle of birth & death. Thus activity in Krsna Consciousness is only pious activity and by this one attains Supreme. Thus activity in Krsna Consciousness is only pious activity and by this one attains Supreme. tasmäd asaktaù satataà käryaà karma samäcara asakto hy äcaran karma param äpnoti püruñaù “Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty, for by working without attachment one attains the Supreme.”

Text 20 karmaëaiva hi saàsiddhim ästhitä janakädayaù loka-saìgraham eväpi sampaçyan kartum arhasi “Kings such as Janaka attained perfection solely by performance of prescribed duties. Therefore, just for the sake of educating the people in general, you should perform your work.”

Text 21 yad yad äcarati çreñöhas tat tad evetaro janaù sa yat pramäëaà kurute lokas tad anuvartate “Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.”

Tendency to follow great people. Everyone follows some leader - Pramanam E.g. Children follow their parents. Everyone follows some leader - Pramanam E.g. Children follow their parents. Advertisement Industry uses this principle to use famous people in Ads. Advertisement Industry uses this principle to use famous people in Ads. Most famous heroes and stars adv. Products like cigratte, liquor, etc. and people buy. Most famous heroes and stars adv. Products like cigratte, liquor, etc. and people buy. It is natural to follow leaders, heroes, or role models. It is natural to follow leaders, heroes, or role models. Therefore….

Following in footsteps of great souls brings perfection easily. tarko ‘pratiñöhaù çrutayo vibhinnä näsäv åñir yasya mataà na bhinnam dharmasya tattvaà nihitaà guhäyäà mahäjano yena gataù sa panthäù “‘Dry arguments are inconclusive. A great personality whose opinion does not differ from others is not considered a great sage. Simply by studying the Vedas, which are variegated, one cannot come to the right path by which religious principles are understood. The solid truth of religious principles is hidden in the heart of an unadulterated, self-realized person. Consequently, as the çästras confirm, one should accept whatever progressive path the mahäjanas advocate.’”

Text na tasya käryaà karaëaà…No work for Lord and yet He is engaged. na tasya käryaà karaëaà…No work for Lord and yet He is engaged. He is above all the regulations of the revealed scriptures, yet He does not do anything that violates the revealed scriptures. He is above all the regulations of the revealed scriptures, yet He does not do anything that violates the revealed scriptures. “If I ever failed to engage in carefully performing prescribed duties, certainly all men would follow My path.” e.g. people speaking about Krsna performing Rasa-Lila. “If I ever failed to engage in carefully performing prescribed duties, certainly all men would follow My path.” e.g. people speaking about Krsna performing Rasa-Lila. “If I did not perform prescribed duties, all these worlds would be put to ruination.” “If I did not perform prescribed duties, all these worlds would be put to ruination.” Difference between following and imitating, e.g. Lord Krsna lifting govardhan hill – no one can try to imitate, but people try to imitate Rasa- dance, or Lord Shiva drinking ocean of poison, and followers trying to smoke ganja. Difference between following and imitating, e.g. Lord Krsna lifting govardhan hill – no one can try to imitate, but people try to imitate Rasa- dance, or Lord Shiva drinking ocean of poison, and followers trying to smoke ganja. Follow and don’t imitate. Follow and don’t imitate.

Conclusion: