कर्म योग The Yoga of Action

The Bhagwad Gita

Chapter 3

Sanjay Mehta

In this world, there is a twofold path for enlightenment, a path of action for an extrovert and a path of knowledge for an introvert.  No one can attain realization by inaction nor by renunciation alone.  No one can remain inactive even for a moment.  Therefore, better to remain engaged in action that is guided by Swa-dharma (assigned duty).

The path of action is necessary for purification of the mind.  The purified mind generates curiosity and strives for the assimilation of knowledge.

यग्यार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः ;
तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तस समाचर ॥ ९ ॥

Yajnaarthaat karmano’nyatra loko’yam karmabandhanah
Tadartham karma kaunteya muktasangah samaachar ||9||

Action must be performed in the spirit of Yagna, a sacrificial activity dedicated to a higher cause, without attachment to the result of action.  Activities without the spirit of Yagna cause bondage.  We are all part of the cosmic system, where everyone has been an assigned a role to play.

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः ;
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते || २१ ||

Charati shreshthastattvadevetaro janah
Sa yatpramaanam kurute lokastadanuvartate ||21||

Others look up to and imitate what a leader does. The world follows the standard set by the front runner.

Actions in all cases are guided by one’s innate qualities or nature.  The one who is deluded by self-centeredness, thinks that “I am the doer.”  Bhagwan suggests performing all actions with the spirit of surrendering them to a higher ideal.  They must approach action with a mind free of memories from the past and not swelling on the result/enjoyment in the future.

Attachment and aversion are obstacles on the path of Karma.  An illegitimate desire is like a fire; any amount of fulfillment (fuel) does not satisfy it; but rather intensifies it.  The base of desires is the senses (mind and intellect).  It impels one to lose one’s discrimination and understanding, and in turn, results in wrong actions.  When illegitimate desires are removed, the divinity manifests from within, resulting in Mukti and Ananda.

Essence

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