By 'Few' is meant Renunciation, or abstention from
acts. What is said, therefore, in this verse is this: they that betake
themselves to acts, which for their fruits all sorts of enjoyment, meet
with misery; while they that abstain from acts or practise Renunciation
meet with happiness. Both the vernacular versions are incorrect.
1565. It is difficult to understand what is meant by this verse. By
progress in Yoga, the Soul can certainly cast off the mind and other
attributes by which it is invested. The simile is unintelligible. The
stalk of the lotus has its roots in mire. Does the first line mean,
therefore, that the stalk speedily springs upwards and leaves the mire at
its roots?
1566. The commentator explains that the intention of this verse is to
explain that the universe which is created by the mind is destroyed
afterwards by the mind itself.
1567. The sense is that one who has cast off objects of enjoyment and
become emancipated, does not obtain rebirth.
1568. I follow the commentator in his exposition of this verse. The
practice of fishermen (in India) is to sink their boats when they leave
them for their homes, and to raise them again when they require them the
next day. They do not leave their boats afloat for fear of the injury the
waves may do to them by tossing them too much.
1569. By Prakriti here is meant the harmony of Sattwa, Rajas, and Tamas.
As long as these three qualities are in harmony with one another, i.e.,
as long as there is no preponderance in any of them over the other two,
so long there cannot be creation or the operations of the buddhi or
understanding.
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