Karma -Yoga [Yoga Of Action]
In the Karma-Yoga Krishna Explain about Dedicated action, meaning of ‘sacrifice’ of the vāsanās that are gathered by us .
Arjuna asked “If, as you say, Krishna, man of knowledge is really superior to the man of action, why do you advise me to pursue the path of action? Please tell me clearly, what I should do so that I may enjoy the supreme state”.
Lord Krishna Says: “It’s a very sensible question, Arjuna, there are two types of people – the purely intellectual and the physically active. The path of knowledge is prescribed for the intellectual, whereas the path of action is the best for the physically dynamic. But here, you must also understand that dedicated action is in itself not the final goal; the path of wisdom takes one directly to the final goal”.
Arjuna asked “Again, you please explain me, Krishna. Why should I not follow the direct and the easier path to reach the goal? Why should I fight at all?”
Lord Krishna says “The path of knowledge is not the proper one for you, for the simple reason that you do not belong to the intellectual and the meditative type. As a prince (kshatriya), You can satisfy and purify yourself only by action. The only course open to you is to do your duty. Yes, your duties are to be done in a selfless spirit of pure devotion. Once you understand the art of selfless performance of duty, you are in the path of knowledge. These two ‘paths’- the path of action and the path of knowledge – are complementary to each other”.
An action done without any desire for the result is faultlessly perfect in performance. Such actions never produce any psychological reaction and so most wonderful results are gained through them.
Arjuna: asked “But, Krishna, ordinary actions of imposed bondages of vāsanās drag us down and cause sufferings”.
Lord Krishna says “No, Arjuna, it is not so. As I said earlier, only those actions, which are prompted by desires chain us down, and not those performed in the discharge of one’s duty. Vāsanās are the impressions brought over from previous births. These impressions order our intellect and we cannot pursue any path other than that ordered by the direction of our own present vāsanās.
Sacrifice is an unselfish action. It’s Prosperity and plenty are the direct results of dedicated actions. when a being is born, he is born with certain latent impressions, tastes and inclinations. Instincts they are called, which he had acquired by his actions in his previous births. His present behaviour and attitude to life are mostly governed by his past actions (vāsanās).
Arjuna asked “What are the ways of attacking and destroying the desire-urges in us, which as you say, are our greatest enemy?”
Lord Krishna: “This ruthless enemy – desire, resides in us carrying on its criminal activities with the help of the equipments of perception and the instruments of action (karma indriyas) at our mental and intellectual levels. Yes, the indisciplined and the unruly sense organs, the foolish and the arrogant mind, and the imperfectly trained intellect are the fields of action for desire. So our first attempt in discovering and destroying desire should be to check and control our disobedient senses. Then only the all-illumining perfect knowledge reveals itself to be experienced in our bosom as our own Self”. Desire-attachment-actions beset with obstacles-anger, the friend and ally of the evil nature.
Arjuna: “Please tell me the secret strategy for the total conquest of all desires”.
Lord Krishna says ” Man is made up of the physical body, the senses, the mind and the intellect. Beyond all these, the greatest principle of all, the pure Atman, shines. Knowing thus the greatness of Atman, identifying yourself with the ever-pure Self, Arjuna, conquer the dangerous devil, desire. In short, govern the mind by the intellect. Purify the intellect with meditation upon the Self, the Atman (God) and with it, rule over the impure intellect. One who has become one with the Self, the Lord of lords, in Him all desires are completely at rest for ever”.
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