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Śuka said.
What is the direction attained by those who follow the Vedic statement 'do action, abandon (action)'? Which direction do they go by knowledge, and which by action?
I wish to hear this indeed; may you, sir, tell me. But this exists adversely in mutual difference.
Bhīṣma said.
Thus addressed, the son of Parāśara replied to his son: "I will explain these two, consisting of karma and knowledge—the perishable and the imperishable."
O son, listen attentively: the direction attained by knowledge and that attained by action—this is truly the profound difference between them.
If someone says here, 'Dharma exists' or 'Dharma does not exist,' then my view would be similar to his.
There are two paths, where the Vedas are established: the dharma characterized by activity, and the well-spoken (dharma) in withdrawal.
A creature is bound by action, but is liberated by knowledge. Therefore, ascetics who have clear insight do not perform actions.
Through action, after death, the embodied being with sixteen parts is born again. Through knowledge, one is born as the eternal, imperishable, and of imperishable nature.
But some men of lesser intellect praise action; thus, they engage in and delight in bodily pursuits.
But those who have attained supreme wisdom and discern the true skill in dharma do not praise mere action, just as one does not drink from a well when standing in a river.
One receives the results of actions as pleasure and pain, and as existence and non-existence. But through knowledge, one attains that state where, having reached, one never grieves.
That is the place where, upon reaching, one neither dies nor is born, does not decay, and does not grow.
Where that supreme Brahman exists, which is unmanifest, ageless, eternal, unobstructed, effortless, immortal, and inseparable.
Where people are not disturbed by dualities, either mentally or through actions; who are equal everywhere, friendly, and devoted to the welfare of all beings.
O dear one, there is another person consisting of knowledge, and the other consisting of action; know that the moon exists at new moon by a subtle portion.
This, as spoken by the sage, is inferred in detail; seeing the new moon like a curved thread in the sky.
O dear one, know him who is embodied, composed of an assemblage of parts and the self of eleven modifications, as having the nature of action and qualities.
One should always know that knower of the field, whose nature is ever conquered by renunciation, as the god who is resorted to in that (self), just as a water-drop in a lotus.
Know that darkness, activity, and purity are the qualities of the individual soul. The individual soul should recognize the quality of the self, and the self as belonging to the Supreme Self.
They say that the quality of life is conscious; it acts and causes all to act. Beyond that, the knowers of the field declare: He who set the seven worlds in motion.
