As it unfolds its Divine proclamation, the Bhagavad Gita continually stimulates the reader to reflect on the relationship of his mind and his actions. One of these captivating verses is the following:
That fool, who (outwardly) controlling the organs, of action keeps dwelling on sense objects with the mind, is called a hypocrite. (BG_c3v6)
It reminded me of an intriguing story my father loves to tell: One delightful spring morning two monks are walking down the slopes of a mountain. The dew of the morning is accompanied by blossoming flowers and trees, by birds warbling away. They soon come to a river and saw a beautiful young lady standing by the river, asking herself how to cross the waters. One of the monks immediately rushes forth, takes the lady on his arms, marches through the river, helpes the lady back on her feet, and continues his stroll through the hills at a normal pace. The other monk stands perplexed, then hurries after the other and also continues his contemplative morning walk. After several minutes, he finally askes his friend: ‘How can you permit yourself to carrying a female being?’ The first monk, without altering his pace, says: ‘While I left the woman at the riverside, she has till now found presence in your mind.’
And if he met the fairest and most comely of women, he would not feel his heart seduced by the least shadow of desire for her beauty. Such an one, indeed, is the creation of spotless chastity. (Baha’u'llah GWB-60)
Chastity in no way implies withdrawal from any human relationships. A person who is in control of his human impulses is enabled to have profound and enduring friendships with many people, both men and women. (UHJ)
Therefore always perform action which has to be done, unattached; verily, man attains the highest by performing action unattached. (BG_c3v19)
And in yet another way, the Bhagavad Gita shows us its supremacy in teaching detachment and sanctity in our actions. God-willing, we strive towards it.
