Question and answer 31

Disciple: When it is said that the jñānī has no desire, what is meant?

Guru: It does not mean that his inner instrument never takes the form of desire. The inner instrument is not the product of sattva alone; it arises from sattva predominating, with rajas and tamas subordinate. So, whatever the proportions of the guṇas, as long as there is an inner instrument, desire, which is a transformation of rajas, will not be wholly absent. What is meant is that the jñānī never takes desire to be a property of the Self. Unattached, he is no doer even when he acts. For this reason the scripture too says: 'After knowledge, the good and bad deeds done by this body, and their merit and demerit, do not touch him.'

Disciple: In saying 'For the jñānī there is no desire', what is the intent?

Guru: Not that his inner instrument does not undergo transformation in the form of desire. Since the inner instrument, not being an effect of the sattva guṇa only, has arisen from predominant sattva joined with the subordinate guṇas rajas and tamas, though the guṇas be more or less, as long as there is the inner instrument, desire, the transformation of the rajas guṇa, will not be absent. But to the jñānī desire does not appear as a property of the Self: this alone is its intent. He is unattached; though a doer, a non-doer. For this very reason the scripture too says: 'After knowledge, the good and bad deeds done by this body, and merit and demerit, do not touch him.'