karma pravṛttaṁ ca nivṛttam apy ṛtaṁ

karma pravṛttaṁ ca nivṛttam apy ṛtaṁ

vede vivicyobhaya-liṅgam āśritam

virodhi tad yaugapadaika-kartari

dvayaṁ tathā brahmaṇi karma narcchati

Discerning that both the path of enjoyment and the path of renunciation are valid, since they are prescribed in the Vedas, according to qualification, one person should not perform both actions, for it is contradictory. But the person fixed in Brahman and Śiva perform neither action.

“Śiva should not follow the path of enjoyment. Let him follow the path of renunciation.” 

One should accept that the path of enjoyment, such as fire sacrifices, and the path of renunciation, with control of mind and senses, are both true, since they are prescribed in the Vedas, but have their particular qualification (ubhaya-liṅgam) of attachment and detachment. If one is attached then one is qualified for fire sacrifice, and if one is detached, one is qualified of control of the senses and mind. For one person to perform both actions is contradictory. Attachment is contrary to detachment and detachment is contrary to attachment. This cannot be prescribed. But a person situated in Brahman does not perform either action. Just as there is no loss in not performing either duty for such a qualified person, so there is no fault in the Lord for not performing either action. 

 

|| 4.4.21 ||

mā vaḥ padavyaḥ pitar asmad-āsthitā

yā yajña-śālāsu na dhūma-vartmabhiḥ

tad-anna-tṛptair asu-bhṛdbhir īḍitā

avyakta-liṅgā avadhūta-sevitāḥ

O father! You do not have the treasures that I possess. They cannot be flattered by sacrifices, by the path of karma, by filling the belly with food, or by nourishing the prāṇas. These invisible powers are available to those beyond material enjoyment.

“It is my misfortune that I, with the greatest wealth and good conduct, have a daughter who is living in the house of a lowly beggar. Since you are the ocean of good qualities and crest jewel of purity, you should not tolerate Śiva’s bad behavior.” She rebukes her father with these words. O father! I have taken shelter of siddhis, power, renunciation, knowledge and prema, which give happiness. These you do not possess. You will not attain these in millions of births. “Why do you say that? I also have powers.” Such attainments cannot be attained in the sacrificial arena. They are not praised by filling the belly like a crow or by following the path of karma (dhūma-vartmabhiḥ). These powers, unavailable by these methods (avyakta-liṅgāḥ) are possessed by Sanaka, Nārada and others. The past participle sevitāḥ has a present meaning.

 

|| 4.4.22 ||