The ninth in a series of talks by Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) on the Bhagavad Gita, India’s most famous scripture: the unforgettable dialog between Sri Krishna and Arjuna about the essence of spiritual life.
In this talk, Swamiji discusses the Yoga of Action (Karma Yoga) and the Yoga of Knowledge (Jnana Yoga), how they differ and how they are related.
Here are the Gita verses (3:01–3:12) covered in this talk:
Arjuna said:
If it is your conviction that knowledge is better than action, then why do you urge me to engage in this terrible action? (3:1)
With speech that seems equivocal you confuse my mind. Tell me surely this one thing: How should I attain the highest good? (3:2)
The Holy Lord said:
In this world there is a two-fold path taught by me long ago: knowledge, the yoga of the Sankhyas, and action, the yoga of the yogis. (3:3)
Not by abstaining from actions does a man attain the state beyond action, and not by mental renunciation alone does he approach to perfection. (3:4)
Truly, no one for even a moment exists without doing action. Each person is compelled to perform action, even against his will, by the gunas born of prakriti. (3:5)
He who restrains action’s organs while yet revolving in his mind thoughts of objects of the senses, is deluded, a hypocrite. (3:6)
He who by the mind controls the senses, and yet is unattached while engaging action’s organs in action, is superior. (3:7)
Perform your duty, for action is far better than non-action. Even maintaining your body cannot be done without action. (3:8)
The world is bound by the actions not done for sake of sacrifice. Hence for sacrifice you should act without attachment. (3:9)
In the beginning along with mankind Prajapati created sacrifice and said: “By this shall you increase: this shall be the granter of desires. (3:10)
“May you foster the gods by this, and may the gods then foster you. Then, each the others fostering, you shall attain the highest welfare. (3:11)
“The gods, fostered by sacrifice, will give you desired enjoyments. But he who enjoys the gods’ gifts without offering to them is a thief.” (3:12)
Here are the main points from this talk on the Two Paths of Yoga:
- Arjuna’s Dilemma: Arjuna questions Krishna about why he should engage in a battle, which involves terrible deeds, if knowledge is considered superior to action.
- Contradiction in Teachings: Krishna’s teachings seem contradictory to Arjuna, leading him to seek a definite path to the highest good.
- Two Paths to Enlightenment:
- The Path of Knowledge (Jnana Yoga): For the contemplative, this path involves meditation and introspection leading to direct knowledge of the self or Brahman.
- The Path of Action (Karma Yoga): For the active, this involves performing selfless actions without attachment to the results, doing what is right and beneficial.
- Action vs. Inaction: Krishna explains that no one can truly abstain from action due to the inherent nature of the world (governed by the gunas – qualities of nature). Even thinking and meditating are forms of action.
- Self-Deception: One deceives themselves by renouncing physical actions but still desiring the objects mentally. True virtue lies in the state of mind, not just in abstaining from action.
- Controlled Senses and Will: A commendable person controls their senses with willpower, performing actions without personal interest in the outcomes, focusing instead on what actions signify or lead to spiritually.
- Duty and Karma: Duty or one’s karma should be performed as an offering to the Divine, without attachment to the fruits of actions. This is how one honors the deities or the natural order set by the divine.
- Divine Cycle and Human Duty: In the beginning, beings were created with duties according to their karma. Fulfilling these duties leads to spiritual prosperity and fulfillment of desires in alignment with cosmic purpose.
- Gratitude through Action: By performing our karma, we show gratitude to the creators or deities for our existence and the opportunity to evolve. This, in turn, ensures that our prayers or wishes are granted by being in harmony with the divine plan.
Swami Nirmalananda Giri concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding and acting upon one’s karma as a form of thanks and a path towards spiritual awakening, encouraging listeners to engage actively with the teachings of the Gita.
