ॐ श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः
In recent classes on the Bhagavad Gita, Swami Parmarthananda of Chennai beautifully taught the essence of Karma Yoga and I was fortunate to attend Swamiji's classes.
I share a few thoughts on the subject and some verses from the Bhagavad Gita, throughout which Lord Krishna teaches the the secret of right action. First, an explanation on Karma Yoga is given and then verses from the Gita are presented. Readers can connect the verses with the explanation and see the beauty of Lord Krishna's teaching.
Karma Yoga consists of
1. Right Action
2. Right Attitude
Right Action
Each one of us has duties according to our station in life and these need not be explained to us. We have duties as family people, as employees, employers i.e in our profession etc. and these duties have to be performed without neglecting.
However, contribution to society and expression of gratitude for blessings received is the cornerstone of our culture and the scriptures have mandated that we perform certain actions called - नित्य-नैमित्तिक-कर्म, नियतम् etc. (We will see the verses "सहयज्ञाः प्रजाः सृष्ट्वा etc. ..."/ "नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं" taught by Krishna below). These are all in the form of worshipful,contributory activites done with gratitude towards five segments of creation and these are beautifully summarized as the पञ्चमहायज्ञा:
ऋषियज्ञं देवयज्ञं भूतयज्ञं च सर्वदा ।
नृयज्ञं पितृयज्ञं च यथाशक्ति न हापयेत् ॥
I had written a note explaining these and please read the same here. We offer worship in gratitude to our ancestors, to the Devatas, to the Rishis from whom we have got this wonderful teaching; we contribute to fellow human beings in the form of दानम्, social service and in any way we can, and finally care for other living beings.
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् said Krishna - BG 18.5 which is given below.
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् said Krishna - BG 18.5 which is given below.
Our aim is to increase contributory activities so that at the end of life, the "balance sheet" shows MORE CONTRIBUTION AND LESS CONSUMPTION.
An integral part of a life of karma yoga is the elimination of adharmic actions. Following this rule one can be sure one is not violating dharma.
श्रूयतां धर्मसर्वस्वं, श्रुत्वा चैवावधार्यताम्।
आत्मनः प्रतिकूलानि, परेषां न समाचरेत्।।
In simple words - what you consider not good for you, do not do unto others.
Right Attitude
What differentiates Karma Yoga from Karma is the right attitude. This is beautifully explained by Swami Parmarthananda as
A. ईश्वरार्पणभावना - Dedication of all actions as worship to the Lord : Every action is performed with some result in mind for one's own benefit or for others' benefit. While performing any activity - profession, business related or a service to others, perform it by mentally dedicating it to the Lord in an attitude of worship AND with the knowledge that you are given a choice with regard to the type of action, profession, but the result will come from the Lord who is the कर्मफलदाता. The attitude is " I know the result may be as desired or may not. I am ready to accept any result and what's in my control is its performance". This is detaching oneself from the result of the action is really the karma-phala-tyaga-कर्मफलत्याग: which we read about in many places. This readiness to accept the result as per Law of Karma (God's will) is freedom from expectation and makes one निराशी: as per Krishna.
Said the Lord to Arjuna यत्करोषि.... तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम् which is ईश्वरार्पणभावना.
It must be noted that such a readiness to accept anything from Bhagavan can only happen if one has devotion - bhakti. There can be no karma yoga separate from bhakti or vice versa. Only a Bhakta will have faith in his Ishta Devata to be able to shift dependence on the Lord rather than the world. Notice how Krishna uses मद्भक्त:. The 12th Chapter - भक्तियोग: clearly says that karma yoga is one part of bhakti yoga - Reference: 12.10 and 12.11
Said the Lord to Arjuna यत्करोषि.... तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम् which is ईश्वरार्पणभावना.
It must be noted that such a readiness to accept anything from Bhagavan can only happen if one has devotion - bhakti. There can be no karma yoga separate from bhakti or vice versa. Only a Bhakta will have faith in his Ishta Devata to be able to shift dependence on the Lord rather than the world. Notice how Krishna uses मद्भक्त:. The 12th Chapter - भक्तियोग: clearly says that karma yoga is one part of bhakti yoga - Reference: 12.10 and 12.11
Offering actions to the Lord dear to your heart, will result in you giving your best .won't it ?Didn't Krishna say "कर्मसु कौशलं योग:" You will find your focus on the action, not worried now about the result. This will naturally lead to excellence in action which in itself is a source of great joy.
B. प्रसादभावना - receive every experience in life as a prasada from Bhagavan: Every action is performed with some result in mind, for one's own benefit or for the benefit of others as in the case of contributory activities. We have seen the attitude of ईश्वरार्पणभावना while performing the karma. However, the result may be favourable as desired, or not as expected. Yoga attitude consists of receiving all results as ईश्वर-प्रसाद. While doing the actions, we have already understood that we dont have full control over the results. While receiving a result, receive it as prasada from Bhagavan. This way you accept if it is unfavorable and if favorable, you do not have pride - after all the result comes from Bhagavan! This results in an equanimous mind. Did not Krishna say "समत्वं योग उच्यते".
An equanimous mind is a learning mind which can grasp the Truth and learn from the experiences of life. The karma yogi learns the limitations of karma and karma-phala and starts yearning for the ultimate पुरुषार्थ: The aim of karma yoga is to make you a मुमुक्षु.
A karma-yogi will be blessed by the Lord, come to ज्ञानयोग:, learn under the guidance of a Guru and be कृतकृत्य: - fulfill the ultimate goal of human life - discovering oneness with Paramatma as explained by the Mahavakyas. He is not bound by karmas and is free!! सिद्धिं विन्दति मानवः said Krishna in 18.46 given below.
A karma-yogi will be blessed by the Lord, come to ज्ञानयोग:, learn under the guidance of a Guru and be कृतकृत्य: - fulfill the ultimate goal of human life - discovering oneness with Paramatma as explained by the Mahavakyas. He is not bound by karmas and is free!! सिद्धिं विन्दति मानवः said Krishna in 18.46 given below.
Now, some verses from the Bhagavad Gita and do connect these with the above.This is not an exhasutive list of verses explaining karma yoga in the Gita, but just a few that I have chosen.
The essence
of karma yoga in these first two verses - favourites of mine:
मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा ।
निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः ॥ ३-३०॥
Devoid of the fever of the soul (devoid of anxiety, remorse), engage in battle by dedicating all actions to Me, with (your) mind intent on the Self, and becoming free from expectations and egoism. Note: 'Engage in battle' should be taken to mean - performing one's duty as per one's station in life.
Devoid of the fever of the soul (devoid of anxiety, remorse), engage in battle by dedicating all actions to Me, with (your) mind intent on the Self, and becoming free from expectations and egoism. Note: 'Engage in battle' should be taken to mean - performing one's duty as per one's station in life.
यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानां येन सर्वमिदं ततम् ।
स्वकर्मणा तमभ्यर्च्य सिद्धिं विन्दति मानवः ॥ १८-४६॥
स्वकर्मणा तमभ्यर्च्य सिद्धिं विन्दति मानवः ॥ १८-४६॥
A human being achieves success / refinement by worshipping through his own duties Him from whom is the origin of creatures, and by whom is all this pervaded.
Right action and right attitude explained in these two verses
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् ।
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् ।
यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम् ॥ १८-५॥
एतान्यपि तु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा फलानि च ।
कर्तव्यानीति मे पार्थ निश्चितं मतमुत्तमम् ॥ १८-६॥
The practice of yagna, charity and austerity is not to be abandoned; it is surely to be undertaken i.e. compulsory. Sacrifice, charity and austerity are verily the purifiers of the wise i.e refine and purify the mind.
But even these actions have to be undertaken by renouncing attachment and (hankering for) results. This is My firm and best conclusion, O Partha.
The practice of yagna, charity and austerity is not to be abandoned; it is surely to be undertaken i.e. compulsory. Sacrifice, charity and austerity are verily the purifiers of the wise i.e refine and purify the mind.
But even these actions have to be undertaken by renouncing attachment and (hankering for) results. This is My firm and best conclusion, O Partha.
These must be performed
नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः ।
शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः ॥ ३-८॥
You should perform obligatory duties, for action is superior to inaction. And through inaction, even the maintenance of your body will not be possible.
You should perform obligatory duties, for action is superior to inaction. And through inaction, even the maintenance of your body will not be possible.
सहयज्ञाः प्रजाः सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापतिः ।
अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक् ॥ ३-१०॥
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः ।
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः ।
परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ ॥ ३-११॥
In the days of yore, having created the beings together with the sacrifices, Prajapati said: 'By this may you multiply. Let this be your yielder of coveted objects of desire.'
'May you nourish the gods with this. Let those gods nourish you. Nourishing one another, you shall attain the supreme Good.'
'May you nourish the gods with this. Let those gods nourish you. Nourishing one another, you shall attain the supreme Good.'
Right
attitude explained in these beautiful verses:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥ २-४७॥
Your right is to action alone, i.e. to perform/choose the action alone, never for the results. Do not become the agent of the results of action. ( The results come from Ishwara and according to the Law of Karma and you do not control the result completely) May you not have any inclination for inaction.(In other words, do not neglect obligatory and contributory duties)
Your right is to action alone, i.e. to perform/choose the action alone, never for the results. Do not become the agent of the results of action. ( The results come from Ishwara and according to the Law of Karma and you do not control the result completely) May you not have any inclination for inaction.(In other words, do not neglect obligatory and contributory duties)
यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत् ।
यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम् ॥ ९-२७॥
O son of Kunti, whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer as a sacrifice, whatever you give and whatever austerities you undertake, (all) that you offer to Me.
O son of Kunti, whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer as a sacrifice, whatever you give and whatever austerities you undertake, (all) that you offer to Me.
योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय ।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते ॥ २-४८॥
By being established in Yoga (Karma Yoga - with the right attitude), O Dhananjaya (Arjuna), undertake actions, casting off attachment and remaining equipoised in success and failure. Equanimity is called Yoga.
Mentally surrendering all actions to Me and accepting Me as the supreme (denotes bhakti and surrender), have your mind ever fixed on Me by resorting to the concentration of your intellect. (By resorting-resorting implies not taking recourse to anything else, depending on Ishwara alone; Having the intellect (buddhi) concentrated on Me is buddhi-yoga says Krishna)
By being established in Yoga (Karma Yoga - with the right attitude), O Dhananjaya (Arjuna), undertake actions, casting off attachment and remaining equipoised in success and failure. Equanimity is called Yoga.
कायेन मनसा बुद्ध्या केवलैरिन्द्रियैरपि ।
योगिनः कर्म कुर्वन्ति सङ्गं त्यक्त्वात्मशुद्धये ॥ ५-११॥
By giving up attachment, karma yogis undertake work merely through the body, mind, intellect and even the organs, for the purification of themselves.
By giving up attachment, karma yogis undertake work merely through the body, mind, intellect and even the organs, for the purification of themselves.
चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः ।
बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्तः सततं भव ॥ १८-५७॥
Very
important verses on the yagna way of life - a life of contribution - note the cycle /wheel described.
अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भवः ।
यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञः कर्मसमुद्भवः ॥ ३-१४॥
कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भवं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भवम् ।
तस्मात्सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ ३-१५॥
एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः ।
अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति ॥ ३-१६॥
From food are born the creatures; the origin of food is from rainfall; rainfall originates from sacrifice/yagna; yagna has action as its origin - karma / action
Know that action has the veda as its origin; the Vedas has the Immutable as its source. Hence, the all-pervading Veda is for ever based on sacrifice.
O Partha, he lives in vain who does not follow here the wheel thus set in motion, whose life is sinful, and who indulges in the senses.( the gist is that contributory and obligatory duties must be performed by all. This alone sustains the Creation.
From food are born the creatures; the origin of food is from rainfall; rainfall originates from sacrifice/yagna; yagna has action as its origin - karma / action
Know that action has the veda as its origin; the Vedas has the Immutable as its source. Hence, the all-pervading Veda is for ever based on sacrifice.
O Partha, he lives in vain who does not follow here the wheel thus set in motion, whose life is sinful, and who indulges in the senses.( the gist is that contributory and obligatory duties must be performed by all. This alone sustains the Creation.
Finally almost identical verses– Krishna repeats the message, being important
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु ।
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु ।
मामेवैष्यसि युक्त्वैवमात्मानं मत्परायणः ॥ ९-३४॥
Have your mind fixed on Me, be My devotee, worship Me, and surrender/bow down to Me. By concentrating your mind and accepting Me as the supreme Goal, you shall surely attain Me who am thus the Self.
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु ।
मामेवैष्यसि सत्यं ते प्रतिजाने प्रियोऽसि मे ॥ १८-६५॥
Have your mind fixed on Me, be My devotee, worship Me and surrendr/ bow down to Me. (Thus) you will attain Me alone. (This) truth do I promise to you. (For) you are dear to Me.
Thus, following the karma yoga way of life, may Lord Krishna bless us with fulfillment
ॐ तत् सत्
