Chapter 18: Moksha-sannyasa-yoga: / Verse 15

In verse 18.11, Krishna categorically stated that to relinquish activity is impossible for the embodied. Therefore, tyaga can be only of the results the actions bring about. Thus to think of karma-tyaga is not the right attitude or course for anyone.

Since the fruition of an action is inseparable from the action itself, naturally, the question arises: What are those results Krishna is referring to? In fact, the pursuit of an action implies the pursuit of its outcome too. Action completed is equally the emergence of its outcome.

Krishna said (18.12) that the result an action produces is threefold – desirable, undesirable and a mixture of the two. Obviously, the reference is not to the objective results, but to the mind’s responses to them.

When we perform an action, if we complete the performance properly, can we not also achieve the expected result? Why should the result be variant like the desired, undesired and combined? The question is very relevant.

So, Krishna clarifies that in the fruition of any action, together with the performer, there are four other factors that come to play. And one of them is daivam, meaning the providential factor, which is beyond the human. This is what makes all actions unpredictable, as discussed in the 2nd chapter, while introducing karma-yoga (2.40).

Some actions may bring partial or no result at all, called abhikrama-nāśa, loss of effort itself, as in agriculture. Some others, may lead to adverse result (pratya-vāya), as in the sphere of medicine and treatment.

Thus Krishna’s is a unique explanation of the science and philosophy of action and its fruition, which brings into focus how an action is performed, what contributory factors act in the process, how each works, and what kind of unpredictability each action carries. The explanation is more to understand the action-outcome process, and enrich our mind and intelligence accordingly.

For, only then we shall be able to act more confidently, wholeheartedly, with stability. A dedicated performer must be ready to meet any outcome and yet go ahead with the sequence of action-performance-fruition.

It is very enlightening to note that Krishna cites Sankhya as the source for his analysis. Remember also the truth contained in verses 5.8, 14, 15 elucidating the very fate of action itself, not to speak of the result.