Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 - Jnana Vignana Yoga - Sloka 28

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of The Bhagavad Gita, published by Ramakrishna Mission

Why are people devoid of knowledge and devotion? Their case is analysed:

The Discerning and the Non-discerning 27-30

1 Gita Sloka  every day - Chapter 7 - Jnana Vignana Yoga - Sloka 28

Amminjikarai Varadarajar

Yesham tvanta gatam papam jananam punya karmanam I

Te dvandva mohanir muktah bhajante mam dradhavratah II sloka 28

येषां त्वन्त गतं पापं जनानां पुण्य कर्मणां ।ते द्वन्द्व मोहनिर मुक्तः भजन्ते माम द्रदव्रतः  ।। श्लोक २८

But those men of virtuous deeds whose sins have come to an end, who are freed from the delusion of the pairs of opposites worship Me remaining steadfast in their vows.

Whatever action fosters the jivahood in one, is condemned as sin by the wise. In contrast with it, whatever action contributes to self-abnegation is deemed as virtue. Selfless service has to be carried on incessantly lest the mind should lapse into lethargy and egotism.. Purity of the mind ensues from constant self- denial. Unswerving adoration of the Lord is possible  to him only whose mind is free from taint.

They only who remains unruffled and unaffected by the pairs of opposites such as victory and defeat, gain and loss, praise and censure and life and death, become steadfast in their vows. Worship of the Lord is possible to such dedicated souls.

A rusty piece of iron is not actively susceptible to magnetization; but when cleansed of rust, it readily responds. Similarly in that mind which has become rusty with attachment and aversion and likes and dislikes, devotion to the Lord does not dawn. Whereas in a pure bhakti rises readily.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa