Bhagavad Gita · Karma YogaChapter 3, Shloka 31 (3.31)
Original Sanskrit · श्रीभगवान्
ये मे मतमिदं नित्यम् अनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः
श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः
॥ 3.31 ॥
ye me matamidaṃ nityam anutiṣṭhanti mānavāḥ
śraddhāvanto'nasūyanto mucyante te'pi karmabhiḥ
Translation
"Those who regularly follow this teaching of mine with faith and without finding fault — they too are freed from (the bondage of) action."
Interpretation
Three conditions. (1) Nityam anutiṣṭhanti — regular practice; (2) śraddhāvantaḥ — faith; (3) anasūyantaḥ — without fault-finding.
Shankaracharya: they are freed dharmādharmākhyaiḥ karmabhiḥ — from the actions called dharma and adharma (merit and sin).
Acharya Ramanuja — the meaning of "api": three kinds of people. From the "api" in "te 'pi" (they too), Ramanuja sees three groups: (1) those who, having understood this teaching with certainty, practise it; (2) those who cannot practise it but have faith; (3) those who do not even have faith, but do not find fault — who do not seek flaws in this great teaching by saying "such a teaching is impossible". All are freed from the beginningless actions that cause bondage. Those who do not yet practise but have faith and do not find fault see their sins wear away, and acireṇa — soon — they practise this very teaching and are freed.
AI-assisted draft translation — under review.