Sutra 48

The Narada Bhakti Sutra 48:

यः कर्मफलं त्यजति। कर्माणि संन्यस्यति। ततो निर्द्वन्द्वो भवति॥ ४८॥

"(8) He who relinquishes the fruits of actions, (9) He who renounces all egocentric actions, (10) He becomes free from the play of the pairs of opposites."

In this Sutra, after emphasising relinquishment (tyāga) and renunciation (sannyāsa), the third condition is being declared: ‘Whoever he be, he who relinquishes all fruits of action (karmaphala).’ Karmaphala does not merely emphasise the literal word meaning as ‘the fruit of action.’ Results of actions come only after the actions. Therefore, karmaphala tyajati means, ‘one who detaches oneself from all anxieties to enjoy the fruits of his present actions, fruits which will only come at a period of time.’

This Sutra speaks to the heart of the Bhakti path, which is the path of Devotion and surrender to the Divine. The first part, "renounces the fruits of actions," suggests that one should perform actions without attachment to the outcomes. This is a key principle in many spiritual traditions, where the focus is on the act of service itself rather than the reward it may bring. The second part, "gives up all actions," can be interpreted as relinquishing the ego's control over actions, allowing them to be guided by a higher power or the Divine will.

This is in consonance with the Gītā wherein Lord Kṛṣṇa says that renunciation of the fruits of action is called tyāga – meaning the abandonment of anxiety for the fruits and anxiety for the future. In the very opening of the chapter, Arjuna asks, “What is tyāga; what is sannyāsa?” Kṛṣṇa replies, “The sages understand ‘sannyāsa’ to be the renunciation of activities with desire; the wise declare ‘the abandonment of the fruits of all actions, as tyāga.” Lord Kṛṣṇa goes on to explain that tyāga is to be practised first and sannyāsa will then be its later fulfilment. When anxiety for enjoying the fruits of action (karmaphala āsakti) is ended and I continue acting in the world, then the idea of ‘I’ am doing (ahaṅkāra) ego will also automatically end. He who has renounced the ego in all activities is a true sannyāsin.

The result of such surrender, as stated in the Sutra, is freedom from "the dualities of opposites." In Indian philosophy, these dualities (such as pleasure and pain, success and failure, praise and blame) are seen as binding individuals to the cycle of rebirth and suffering. By renouncing personal attachment to actions and their results, one transcends these dualities and moves towards a state of equanimity and inner peace. This state is not one of inaction but rather of inspired action that is in alignment with the divine will.

Now, let's compare this with similar verses from Vedic texts:

Isha Upanishad, Verse 1:

सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रह्म

"Everything here is Brahman."

This verse from the Isha Upanishad emphasizes the omnipresence of the Divine. It aligns with the Bhakti Sutra in that seeing everything as an expression of the Divine helps one to detach from the fruits of actions and see all activities as offerings to Brahman.

Bhagavad Gita 2.47:

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन

"Your right is to work only, but never to its fruits."

This famous verse from the Bhagavad Gita echoes the sentiment of the Narada Bhakti Sutra, teaching that one should act without attachment to the results, which leads to freedom from the bondage of actions.

Brahma Sutra 1.1.2:

 जन्माद्यस्य यतः

"That (Brahman) is the source of all, from which the creation, sustenance, and dissolution of the universe come about."

The Brahma Sutra establishes the Ultimate Reality, Brahman, as the Source of all actions and existence. Understanding this helps the devotee to surrender all actions to Brahman, similar to the teachings of the Narada Bhakti Sutra.

These verses collectively highlight the importance of action without attachment, seeing the Divine in all, and recognizing the Ultimate Source as Brahman, which are central to the philosophy of Bhakti and the path to Realization.