KarmaYoga, the launch pad of our Spiritual Journey - Bhagavad Gita Verses 2.45&46

Chitvish · Apr 10, 2008

In this verse Krishna gives the principle of the technique for bringing a diffused mind to a resolute state.

ThraiguNya vishayaa vedaa: nisthraiguNyO bhavaarjuna
NirdvandvO nithyasathvastha: , niryOgakshema aathmavaan - 2.45

Oh, Arjuna! The Vedas deal with (the world of) three Gunas. May you be free from (the desire for) the world of three Gunas. (May you be) free from the pairs of opposites.
(May you be) ever established in Satva Guna. (May you be) free from (the concern for) acquisition and preservation. (May you be) alert.

First we have to be clear that Karmis perform the materialistic religious karmas prescribed in Karma Kanda which are more material oriented.
What we want to learn now is about Karma Yoga, where we learn to use religion for inner development also and not just worldly gain. Spiritual growth begins when we are no more enamoured by limited ends or pleasures.

The three gunas are:
Satva – purity, light or harmony
Rajas – passion, action
Tamas – darkness or inertia

The pairs of opposites are
Heat and cold
Pleasure and pain
Gain and loss
Victory and defeat
Honour and dishonour

One must avoid negative reactions both the opposites, because it will then be a mechanical life of a karmi and not a karma yogi.

Yoga – kshema here means acquisition-preservation.

He who is anxious about all the above cannot have peace of mind. He is ever restless and cannot concentrate or meditate on the Self.
One has to learn to practise to reach a stage where all differences dissolve and the individual reaches a state of fulfilment. Darkness has to be removed by introducing light. One has to transcend gunas and opposites.
Here is a technique that enables every man to come to the great treasure-house within himself and thus rise above all sorrows and uncertainties in life. From this verse onwards, the entire teaching of the Gita proclaims the glory of achieving the state of the Transcendent. It is this state of Being which enables a man to become a karmayogi, one who is successful in the path of action. This is the highway to the fulfilment of life's purpose.
The next verse shows that the purpose of all activity is fulfilled in this state of Being.

Yaavanaartha udapaanae sarvatha: samplunOdakae
Thavan sarveshu vedeshu, brahmaNasya vijaanatha: 2.46

For a wise Brahmana who knows the Self, the use in all the Vedas is as much as a well when there is flooding everywhere.

One who is seeking moksha does not miss dharma, artha and kama because they are included in moksha. That is, whatever are the benefits given in the karma kanda in the vedas are definitely included in the moksha. This does not mean that the Vedas are useless. They are useful for the aspirants who have just started on the spiritual path.

With the verses 2.40 – 2.46, we come to the end of glorification of karma yoga.

Love,
Chithra.

Anandchitra · Apr 10, 2008

Re: KarmaYoga, the launch pad of our Spiritual Journey - Bhagavad Gita Verses 2.45&

Dear Chithra
Thank you for continuing on Karma yoga.
Though I was aware to some extent of what the gunas were you have written in so much detail. also really like the opposites you have listed.
You are so right when you say spiritual growth begins when we are no more enamored by pleasures. These pleasures can be as simple as eating sweets or sleeping or feeling lazy. Does not have to be any fancy. the point is to remove these from our day to day life.
Again you state clearly one has to practise to reach the stage where these differences dissolve. It is interesting to note that from that point onwards the Gita talks more about reaching the state of the transcendant. Which should be our aim and purpose in life.
Thank you again for writin so clearly.

Cheeniya · Apr 10, 2008

Re: KarmaYoga, the launch pad of our Spiritual Journey - Bhagavad Gita Verses 2.45&

Dear Chithra
What is Karma Yoga’s place in our spiritual journey? Why is it important to master it before we seek to go deeper in our spiritual quest? These are the usual questions that many may have in their minds.
Before we try to find an answer to these questions, let us understand that a man’s journey through life encompasses four major activities called Purusharthas. They are Dharma, Artha, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace>Kama</st1lace> and Moksha which the great Saint Tiruvalluvar classifies as <st1:country-region><st1lace>Aram</st1lace></st1:country-region>, Porul, Inbam and Veedu. Moksha or Veedu is the ultimate destination of our spiritual quest. If that is so, why do we have to go through the other three? In fact, the correct order of Purusharthas should be Artha, <st1lace>Kama</st1lace>, Dharma and Moksha but Dharma is placed in the beginning with a purpose. Artha and Kama are two material stages that we all have to go through but while doing so, it is necessary that we adhere to the Divine Laws or Dharma. Artha is creating wealth and <st1lace>Kama</st1lace> is Passion or desire. As we go about creating wealth and expending our passion, the Divine Laws should be our guiding light which are embodied in Dharma. That is why Dharma is mentioned first and this Dharma can be followed in making wealth or expending our passions only when we master Karma Yoga. In these two activities, the ‘self’ should be banished and if it is done, we realise that the creation of wealth is purely to sustain ourselves and hoarding more wealth than necessary is a sin. People who follow Islam will not charge interest for the money lent by them as it is a sin. This is quite akin to our Purusharthas.
Satiation of our passions is restricted to procreation according to Dharma. <st1lace>Kama</st1lace> extols the virtues of wedded life and how it should be conducted according to the Divine Laws. Even the Hindu marriage ceremony symbolises these virtues. If we adhere to Dharma or the Divine Laws in crossing through the various stages of life, Moksha will be well within our reach.
Why do we have to go through these material stages instead of focussing our mind on Moksha from the beginning? Barring a chosen few like Adi Sankara and Ramana Maharshi, the rest are led through the various stages of life before aiming to attain Moksha. Let me give an example. There may be child prodigies who can render songs like a skilled veteran but it does not mean that every child can reach that stage without going through the elementary stages. Similarly, Moksha can not become the goal of a man right from his birth. If he has to understand the implications of Moksha, it is necessary that he has to travel through the material stages of Artha and Kama guided by Dharma. That is why, even when we perform a Pooja or undertake a Vratha, we pray to God that we may be granted all the four purusharthas and not just Moksha. In praying so, we become fait accompli to follow the Divine Laws in all our dealings. So we have the four goals instead of one the pursuit of which provides us with an opportunity to learn some important lessons in life and understand the need to comply with the Divine Laws. Every individual in Hindu way of life is expected to achieve these four goals with detachment, without any expectation and as a sacrificial offering to God. Since all these are embodied in Karma Yoga, it becomes a launch pad of our Spiritual Journey.
Sri

Chitvish · Apr 10, 2008

Re: KarmaYoga, the launch pad of our Spiritual Journey - Bhagavad Gita Verses 2.45&

Dear Sri,
I thank you profusely for supplementing my post, for a better understanding of the fundamentals.
Friends,
At this juncture, it is relevant to read
What are human goals according to Hindu Religion

It will be very enjoyable to know, how our priorities are given in our shastras.
Love,
Chithra.

kaluputti · Apr 10, 2008

Re: KarmaYoga, the launch pad of our Spiritual Journey - Bhagavad Gita Verses 2.45&

hello madam,

am a new member of this wonderful site, which i accidentally stumbled upon
looking for paintings.You have beautifully explained karma yoga, which the ideal path to follow, for persons like me, leading almost vanaprastha--almost, because we have to be in the world but not of the world.I mean in the modern set up of life.It is motivating.Thank you.

sudhavnarasimhan · Apr 10, 2008

Re: KarmaYoga, the launch pad of our Spiritual Journey - Bhagavad Gita Verses 2.45&

Dear Chithra,

Glad that i caught on today with the post.....also wonderful to note right from the title that karma yoga is a launch pad ......of course easy to say, but tough to always remember this path when we are caught in the worldly pursuits!
"One has to learn to practise to reach a stage where all differences dissolve and the individual reaches a state of fulfilment. Darkness has to be removed by introducing light. One has to transcend gunas and opposites."

These lines explain beautifully, how we can slowly learn to wean ourselves from the worldly attachments and get on to the Spiritual Path! so we are slowly getting there, at least in terms of understanding these concepts! Bow

sudhavnarasimhan · Apr 10, 2008

Re: KarmaYoga, the launch pad of our Spiritual Journey - Bhagavad Gita Verses 2.45&

Dear Cheeniya,

You have wonderfully given substance to the way we need to follow......the detailed explanations of Artha Kama, moksha and how Dharma need to be adhered in all this and then after having gone thru these stages only we kind of realise the importance of Moksha...wow , that was a clearheaded approach and so easy to understand. Thanks for adding to this post "an easy to understand " approach.....definitely is adding value and depth!:bowdown

aishu22 · Apr 10, 2008

Re: KarmaYoga, the launch pad of our Spiritual Journey - Bhagavad Gita Verses 2.45&

Dear Chithra,
Its so good to be a part of knowing and getting enlightened about Gita.And the very word Karma Yoga - the launch pad is so encouraging.Your explanation on the Gunas and the pair of opposites was very vivid.Have heard so many times in spiritual discourses that "Aiampulan" should be under control to think about the path of salvation.Basically to get refined thoughts and energy, we need to have the control on Gunas and the pair of opposites

aishu22 · Apr 10, 2008

Re: KarmaYoga, the launch pad of our Spiritual Journey - Bhagavad Gita Verses 2.45&

Dear Sri,
Once again,Your post has very well supplemented Chithra's Post.Your explanation on Aram, porul,inbam and veedu was so apt.Its so true that we hav had lots of saints who have left with us the ways and means to attain a spiritual journey.All i can say after reading this culture posts is that ,I'm very much blessed to be among profound people like you, who is guiding us to a great future.

Cheeniya · Apr 10, 2008

Re: KarmaYoga, the launch pad of our Spiritual Journey - Bhagavad Gita Verses 2.45&

sudhavnarasimhan said: ↑

Dear Cheeniya,

You have wonderfully given substance to the way we need to follow......the detailed explanations of Artha Kama, moksha and how Dharma need to be adhered in all this and then after having gone thru these stages only we kind of realise the importance of Moksha...wow , that was a clearheaded approach and so easy to understand. Thanks for adding to this post "an easy to understand " approach.....definitely is adding value and depth!:bowdown
Click to expand...

Dear Sudha
I am happy to be able to provide further inputs to Chithra's threads that are of some help to understand them better. I am grateful to Chithra for permitting this liberty to me.
Sri