प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च कार्याकार्ये भयाभये | बन्धं मोक्षं च या वेत्ति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ सात्त्विकी ||१८-३०||
pravṛttiṃ ca nivṛttiṃ ca kāryākārye bhayābhaye .
bandhaṃ mokṣaṃ ca yā vetti buddhiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī ||18-30||
The intellect which knows the path of work and renunciation, what ought to be done and what ought not to be done, fear and fearlessness, bondage and liberation that intellect is Sattvic (pure), O Arjuna.
In simple words
Krishna describes pure intellect: "The intellect that clearly knows the difference between action and inaction, between what should be done and what shouldn't, between fear and fearlessness, between bondage and freedom — that intellect is pure."
प्रवृत्तिम्action the path of workचandनिवृत्तिम्the path of renunciationचandकार्याकार्येwhat ought to be done and what ought not to be doneभयाभयेfear and fearlessnessबन्धम्bondageमोक्षम्liberationचandयाwhichवेत्तिknowsबुद्धिःintellectसाthatपार्थ
Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.
Swami Sivananda
18.30 प्रवृत्तिम् action? the path of work? च and? निवृत्तिम् the path of renunciation? च and? कार्याकार्ये what ought to be done and what ought not to be done? भयाभये fear and fearlessness? बन्धम् bondage? मोक्षम् liberation? च and? या which? वेत्ति knows? बुद्धिः intellect? सा that? पार्थ O Arjuna? सात्त्विकी Sattvic.Commentary The threefold nature of knowledge has been described already (verse 22 above). Now the threefold nature of the intellect is described. Knowledge is different from the intellect.Pravritti Action The cause of bondage the path of action. Nivritti Inaction The cause of liberation the path of renunciation the path of Sannyasa.Karyakarye The pure intellect knows what ought to be done and what ought not to be done at,particular places and times it knows the actions that produce visible or invisible results? that are enjoined or prohibited by the scriptures. It guides a man who relies on the scriptural ordinances for his daily conduct of life.Bhayabhaye Fear and fearlessness The cause of fear and fearlessness either visible or invisible.Bandham moksham Bondage and liberation together with their causes.Knowledge is a Vritti (function or state) of the intellect whereas intellect is what functions or undergoes the change of state. Even firmness is only a particular Vritti (modification or state) of the intellect. (Cf.XVIII.20)
Swami Chinmayananda
This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.
# BG 18.30
That intellect is deemed supreme which swiftly and accurately perceives the true nature of objects, persons, and events within its field of action. Though intellect performs many functions—observation, analysis, classification, conception, desire, and remembrance—the capacity underlying all these is discrimination. Without discrimination, true observation and judgment become impossible. Therefore, the primary function of intellect is discernment.
**On Engagement and Renunciation**
The terms "engagement" and "renunciation" refer respectively to the path of action and the path of monasticism. A seeker must understand the true nature of both and, according to their own inclination and capacity, steadfastly pursue one path as is fitting. Otherwise, one seeker may remain attached to action alone, while another may merely flee under the guise of renunciation.
**On Action and Inaction**
The intellect that discriminates between truth and falsehood must also discern between action and inaction—between duty and non-duty. One must know which actions are obligatory and proper, and which are forbidden and improper. Without this discernment, a person may sometimes resign from their livelihood in a fit of anger or false pride, only to regret it later. Arjuna too lost this discernment in a state of mental turmoil, chiefly because of his excessive affection for friends, kinsmen, and family.
**On Fear and Fearlessness**
The deluded, consumed by sensual attachment, do not fear engaging in unlawful, unethical, and irreligious acts; yet they fear undertaking noble pursuits such as scriptural study and self-inquiry. They tremble at words like renunciation and detachment. Therefore, that intellect is sattvic which can properly discriminate the causes of fear and fearlessness.
**On Bondage and Liberation**
Through ignorance of our true nature as existence-consciousness-bliss, we desire happiness from objects and engage in action. The enjoyment of karmic fruits generates desires, which continually impel us toward further action. These desires born of ignorance strengthen our bondage. Only through the destruction of ignorance by self-knowledge can we attain liberation. That intellect which truly understands the causes of bondage and the means to liberation is sattvic.
**In Summary**
The intellect that accurately recognizes the nature of engagement and renunciation, action and inaction, fear and fearlessness, and bondage and liberation is sattvic.
The sattvic intellect can create a beautiful garden in a desert and accomplish success despite every apprehension of failure. Without intellect and steadfastness, even the finest opportunities in life become sources of calamity or turn to dust. The sattvic intellect can transform the darkest tragedies into the greatest prosperity and joy.
**What is Rajasic Intellect?**
Listen.