Karma Yoga in Bhagavad Gita Explained
Though the Bhagavad Gita discusses all four Yoga types in detail, it deals primarily with Karma Yoga and stresses the importance of ‘action’. The following paragraphs explain the importance of Karma Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita as indicated by parts of Chapter 2, and Chapter 3 which is dedicated to Karma Yoga.
References to Karma Yoga in Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2
Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita has the following references to Karma Yoga. I have tried to stay as close as possible to the verses in Gita.
Karma Yoga is essentially based on actions that involve sacrifices. These sacrifices are not the ones where a sacred fire is lighted, and ghee (clarified butter) is poured into it along with chanting of mantras. Rather, it refers to action that involves the good of the entire world. Selfless action is sacrifice and is understood as Karma Yoga.
Now that we have the idea of Karma Yoga, let’s see what the Bhagavad Gita says about it.
You should act. Inaction is not recommended. You can only perform actions. You have the right to action. You don’t have rights to the fruits of your actions. The fruits can be anything based on your intentions, and you should not be bound to the fruits when acting.
In other words, don’t act because you want something. But don’t indulge in inaction because there is no motivation. Of course, some motivation is required for acting so let that motivation be the benefit of the world.
Give up attachment to the results of the action. Look upon success and failure equally. This is Karma Yoga according to the Bhagavad Gita.
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3 on Karma Yoga
Chapter 3 of Bhagavad Gita is dedicated to Karma Yoga throughout. Lord Krishna says that there are two paths to God. One is the path of wisdom, and the other is the path of Karma Yoga.
Karma Yoga is about doing one’s duties without any attachment to the fruits/results of the action. Swami Vivekananda gave a good example of how to perform action. He said when an aayah (nurse) gets a job of taking care of a family’s children, she treats the children as her’s and devotes herself to the children who aren’t her’s. But when removed from the job, she packs up her bag and leaves without any attachment to the employer’s children. This is how action should be performed. There’s no pain and sin in such an action.
‘O Arjuna! But he who restrains the senses through his mind and starts the yoga of action with the organs of action, while remaining unattached, he is superior.’
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, Verse 7
The organs of action include the five senses and mind. A person having control over senses and mind is a Karma Yogi. It is no use if you abandon action and keep thinking about sensual materialistic things. It is not Karma Yoga. One should use the objects of action for performing an action that is not ruled by the senses and mind.
‘Therefore, do the prescribed action. Because action is superior to not performing action. And without action, even survival of the body is not possible.’
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, Verse 8
A living being must perform action. Action is necessary for sustenance of life. Action related to sacrifices is pure. All other actions for desires are impure and selfish.
Sacrifice means doing things for others’ benefit. It means following one’s swadharma (duties). It is always better to follow one’s swadharma imperfectly rather than following others’ dharma perfectly. Following other’s dharma can be dangerous. It is like going to a war without proper weapons.
Duties are determined by birth and circumstances. They are different for different people. If you need guidance in understanding your dharma, check out duties of a householder by Sri Ramakrishna. It can serve as a starting point. As you progress, your dharma will be automatically revealed to you.
The man who takes pleasure in the atman, is content with the atman and is satiated with the atman has no duties.
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, Verse 17
Perform action without any attachment and for the benefit of others. Working in that manner, a person attains the highest liberation just like the king Janaka (also known as Videha: one without a body; king Janaka was the father of Devi Sita). He always thought about the benefit of the world in his mind and acted accordingly.
Lord Krishna says that the people in higher positions must act necessarily even if they don’t desire anything. This is because ordinary people look up to the wise. If the wise become inactive, the people following them would also become lazy and would be doomed. God acts all the time though He doesn’t need anything. If He doesn’t, the world will cease to exist. Therefore, act for the benefit of others.
At the same time, the wise should not denounce people who are engaged in actions due to desires. This is because the wise should lead by example and not fiddle with the minds of their followers. Action is better than renunciation.
Action is done per the qualities of prakriti (nature): Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. Sattvic action benefits others. Action arising out of Rajas is for self-benefit. Tamasic action harms others. If one is wise, he knows that it is the qualities of nature acting. The ignorant ones think they are the ones doing things and are therefore miserable.
Lord Krishna says to focus your mind on God and offer all actions to Him. Act without desires and without owning the actions. If you do so, you’ll be free of sins and achieve the same state that is achieved by the Yoga of Knowledge (Jnana Yoga).
People act according to their nature: Sattva Rajas and Tamas. The wise know this. Due to senses, every action can create attachment or aversion. The wise know this and rise above the senses to avoid both attachment and aversion.
Anger and desire are born out of Rajas quality. They are insatiable and are sins because the atma (soul) forgets its real nature due to them. Know that anger and desire are your enemies and rise above them.
Karma Yoga in Bhagavad Gita: Conclusion
The Bhagavad Gita teaches the path of action (Karma Yoga). It says between the Sanyasa Yoga and Karma Yoga, the latter is better though it is also difficult.
One has to perform his duties as if he is praying. One should not be attached to the action and must not be greedy for the fruits thereof. People have the right to action. Based on the action, there will be some results. Just don’t be bewildered by the fruits. You can perform action better if you are not bound to the result.
Karma Yoga if practiced rightly, will lead you to the same state as that attained by yoga of knowledge. The above explains Karma Yoga as detailed in the Bhagavad Gita. If you have any questions, feel free to comment or contact me on Telegram.
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