'Pravrutti' and 'Nivrutti'

   There are some verses in the Gita where Bhagavan Shree Krishna says, "Surrender to Me. I shall take care of you". It is also said that, "There is no need to do anything! I am the doer." But, these statements are not meant for all. These statements are age-specific! People of different ages like the children, adults, middle-aged and the family people are excluded from this. It is natural for these people to be engaged in some action and there is no escape! Aged people who are asked to retire from all activities need to take this advice of the Lord and keep quiet. But, even these aged people are not exempt from certain daily routine activities such as eating, sleeping, walking and maintaining the body. However, it is important to note that these routine activities also can be avoided like the Yogis who sit in transcendental meditation for long hours and days!

   'Pravrutti' is action, and 'nivrutti' is inaction. It is natural for people to be engaged in action when there is no other alternate, but work. However, people who are well provided for, having no problem of earning a livelihood are also seen unnecessarily engaged in action. Here lies the cliche. The Yogi who wants to attain the state of the absolute, brahmn, takes to sacrifice. Yogis sit in kumbhaka sacrificing the in-breath for the out-breath, and the out-breath to in-breath! The state of absolute quietness is advocated here! The question of eating and sleeping does not arise here, at all! This is the spiritual practice of a few yogis who take to advice of the Lord, "tasmad yogirbhavaarjunaa|

   All actions bring forth reaction and fruits of action in turn and leads to eternal bondage. there is no solution other than taking to yoga for the one who wants to break the shackles of chains of repeated births and deaths. Hence this rigorous spiritual practice is advised by the Lord.
   See pravruttim cha nivrutti... Ch. XVI verse 7; Ch. 18. Verse 30; sarvadharmaan parityjya... Ch. XVIII Verse 60, sarvarambha parityagi; sarvaasha parityjya, sarvabhava parityajya, etc. All these verses advice the devotee to renounce the worldly transient happiness and surrender to Him. he will take of His devotees!