Karma Yoga according to Bhagavad Gita - Pravrajika Divyanandaprana

Summary

In this insightful discussion, the concept of karma and karma yoga is explored, emphasizing the importance of intention behind actions. Karma yoga is defined as performing actions with a selfless attitude, leading to spiritual progress. The video explains the three effects of karma: physical, mental (sanskar), and cosmic (karma shay). It outlines key principles of karma yoga, including detachment from personal gains, performing actions with a calm mind, offering actions as a divine service, and viewing individual work as part of a cosmic yagna. The ultimate goal is to perform actions from a place of self-realization, leading to equanimity and spiritual growth.

Takeaways

• 🧘‍♂️ Karma and Karma Yoga: Karma refers to actions and their consequences, while Karma Yoga is the practice of performing actions without attachment to the results, aiming to be in a state of yoga or spiritual alignment.
• 🌟 The Mind and Intention: The state of mind and intention behind an action are crucial; they determine the purity of the action and its spiritual impact, regardless of the action's nature.
• 🍂 Three Effects of Karma: Every action has a physical effect (visible outcome), a mental effect (formation of sanskar or impressions), and a cosmic effect (karma shay, the unseen return of the action's energy).
• 🔄 Newton's Third Law in Karma: The cosmic effect of karma aligns with Newton's third law, suggesting that every action will have an equal and opposite reaction, influencing one's future experiences.
• 🌱 Detachment in Karma Yoga: In Karma Yoga, detachment is from personal gains rather than from action itself. One performs actions but remains unattached to the outcomes or rewards.
• 🌌 Impassioned Action: Karma Yogis perform actions with a calm and composed mind, not driven by passion or excitement, which is a state cultivated through the practice of yoga.
• 🛐 Offering Actions: A Karma Yogi views their actions as an offering to the divine, recognizing that it is the universal principle (prakriti) working through them, not their individual ego.
• 🌀 Individual Work as Cosmic Yagna: Each person's work is part of a larger cosmic process. Understanding this interconnectedness can elevate one's actions to the level of Karma Yoga.
• 🌟 The Broader Perspective: The Bhagavad Gita encourages seeing the bigger picture of life's interconnectedness, which helps in performing actions with a sense of unity and equality.
• 🕊 Equanimity in Action: True Karma Yoga is achieved when one remains equanimous, or balanced, regardless of the action's outcome, focusing on the performance of duty rather than the results.

Q & A

What is the difference between Karma and Karma Yoga?

Karma refers to any action or deed, while Karma Yoga is the practice of performing actions in a state of yoga, meaning with awareness, detachment from personal gain, and a focus on spiritual progress. In Karma Yoga, actions themselves become a means of spiritual growth.

How does intention influence the outcome of karma according to the script?

The intention behind an action is crucial in determining the fruit of karma. A pure and selfless intention leads to positive outcomes and spiritual progress, whereas actions performed with selfish or negative intentions can lead to unrest and negative consequences.

What are the three effects of karma mentioned in the script?

The three effects of karma are: 1) The physical effect, which is the visible result of the action in the outer world; 2) The mental effect, which is the generation of sanskaras (mental impressions) based on the attitude with which the action was performed; and 3) The cosmic effect, or Karma Shay, which is the unseen force set into motion by the action that eventually returns to the doer.

What is meant by 'detachment is of the will and not of action' in the context of Karma Yoga?

This principle means that in Karma Yoga, one should detach from personal gains and selfish desires while still actively performing their duties. The focus should be on the intention behind the action, not the action itself or its outcomes.

Why is calmness important in performing Karma Yoga?

Calmness is important in Karma Yoga because it allows a person to work effectively and productively without being influenced by passion or excitement. This calm and composed mindset comes from the power of yoga and is essential for achieving the desired spiritual progress.

How can one mentally approach their work as part of Karma Yoga?

One can mentally approach their work as part of Karma Yoga by acknowledging that all actions are carried out by Prakriti (nature) through their body and mind, and that they are merely instruments of the divine. By maintaining this mindset, egoism and arrogance are reduced, making the work a form of spiritual offering.

What does it mean that individual work is part of the cosmic yagna?

This means that all individual actions are part of a larger, interconnected cosmic process. Each person’s work contributes to the overall cosmic order, and recognizing this helps one perform their duties with a sense of unity and purpose, rather than focusing solely on personal outcomes.

How does identification with a higher self influence Karma Yoga?

Identification with the higher self shifts a person’s focus from body-based and ego-driven actions to actions that are aligned with spiritual values. This change in identity leads to actions that are more selfless and spiritually beneficial, transforming ordinary work into Karma Yoga.

What is the significance of the phrase 'yogastha kuru karmani' in the Bhagavad Gita?

'Yogastha kuru karmani' means 'established in yoga, perform action.' It emphasizes the importance of being in a state of union with the higher self before performing any action, ensuring that the actions are guided by wisdom and detachment rather than by ego and desire.

How does the concept of service as worship relate to Karma Yoga?

In Karma Yoga, service to others is seen as worship of the imminent God within all beings. By serving others selflessly, one is not just performing an act of kindness but is also engaging in a spiritual practice that honors the divine presence in all life forms.