| 19. Knowledge and
action, and the agent, are said in the science of gunas to be of three kinds
on)y, according to the distinction in gunas. Hear thou duly of them.Action
(karma): karma here means action (Kriya) It is not used in the technical sense
of the word denoting the object of an action, what is sought to be attained
by means of action, Agent: the performer of acts. They are of three kinds onlyThis
restriction is intended to imply the absence of distinctions other than that
caused by the gunas: Gunas: such as Sattva. The science of gunas here referred
to is Kapilas system of philosophy.Even Kapilas science of gunas is certainly
an authority so far as it concerns gunas and their experiencer (bhoktri). Though
they are opposed to us as regards the supreme truth, viz the oneness or non
duality of Brahman, still the followers of Kapila are of acknowledged authority
in the exposition of the functions of gunas and of their products, and their
science is therefore accepted here as an authority as serving to extol the
teaching which follows. Hence no inconsistency. Hear, etc: Pay attention to
the teaching which follows here, concerning knowledge and the rest, as well
as their various distinctions caused by different gunas, as I describe them
duly, according to science, according to reason.sattvic Knowledge. Here follows
the threefold character of knowledge: |
