Tuesday, February 21, 2012

My understanding of Bhagavat Geeta Chapter 3 (Karma)

Chapter 3 is about Karma Yog. Here Lord Krishna explains importance of performing one's duty, way to achieve supreme God even with performing one's worldly duties.

Arjuna is confused between Karma Yog and Jnana Yog. He gets the feeling from previous chapter that Jnana Yog is supreme, and if it is so, why Lord Krishna is asking him to engage him in Karma. Lord Krishna explains him importance of Karma and explains that there are 2 types of people who realize the self, 1) who renunciate everything and follow spiritual path 2) who engage in performing worldly duties without attaching their mind to its fruits.

He further explains, renunciation is not enough to achieve self-realization, it is important to control senses from within. Forceful control of senses doesn't lead to self realization. All humans are bound to work out of impulses born out of materialistic nature and therefore no one can refrain from work. People follow great, so if great people stop working, all will follow that. Lord Krishna says that He doesn't need anything and He is not required to do anything, even though He follows his duties. If He doesn't follow his duties world will follow him and no one will work.

Lust is born out of material modes of passion, all living entities are covered with different degree of lust. Mind and intelligence are home to lust and hide real knowledge. Lust is greatest enemy of human, so by realizing the Atma one should free himself from delusions.

Important concepts in Chapter 3:
  1. Engage in Karma.
  2. Free your mind from worldly pleasures and output of Karma.
  3. Control the senses; concur lust and free oneself from delusion.

In direct contrast to modern theory of motivation Chapter 3 asks to engage in work just for duty without getting attached to rewards. Will this work (or has this worked) for masses is questionable as there are examples of individuals supporting each. Will there(or are there) only few who follow this path?
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Aashi Yoga Research Academy
Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation
Yoga classes in Bangalore
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