-5th chapter: verses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
-The lecture was given by Swami Tattwamayananda on July 24, 2020.
-1st verse: In the 3rd chapter of Gita, Lord Krishna explains Karma-Yoga to Arjuna. In the 4th chapter of Gita, Lord Krishna explains Jnanam and the ideal of renunciation to Arjuna. This creates confusion in Arjuna’s mind. Arjuna asks Lord Krishna: “You are recommending the renunciation of action, but you also taught me the path of action. Tell me which path is better for me.”
-2nd verse: Lord Krishna answers Arjuna’s confusion in the 2nd verse. “Both renunciation of action, and the path of selfless action are valid means for liberation. Of these, the path of selfless action is superior.”
-There is no such thing as total withdrawal from action. Even for a split second we cannot remain inactive. Best way is to engage in actions as karma-yoga. As we evolve, we reach a point where we can give up the desire for the results of actions and we give up our lower ego. We never give up actions.
-Combining action and renunciation gives us the advantages of both, while avoiding their disadvantages. When we do our actions while renouncing the obsessive attachment to results, we can continue to do our duties/obligations without being anxious of unpleasant results.
-When we are free of selfish desires and obsessive attachment to results, we can dedicate our entire energy on the task at hand, with mental freedom, free from kama and krodha. This ultimately yields better results, and this gives us a feeling of real joy.
-Arjuna’s confusion represents his level of readiness to understand the teachings of Lord Krishna. If we go to an ocean of pure water with a jar, we can bring back a jar of pure water. However, if we go to the same ocean with a spoon, we can only bring back a spoon of pure water. Similarly, as we evolve, we find deeper meaning in spiritual statements.
-3rd verse: “He is the real man of renunciation, who neither likes nor dislikes, who has neither obsessive attachment nor aversion, who is totally free from pairs of opposites – such a person is totally free from all bondages.”
-In the spiritual psychology of renunciation, there are five levels of evolution. (1) At the first level, one does activities that are instinctive, such as walking, eating and drinking. (2) At the second level, one takes up higher activities such as fasting and praying. (3) At the third level, one performs various types of fire sacrifices for achievement of heaven (4) At the fourth level, one gives up the performance of rituals and lives the life of a mendicant (5) At the highest level, a nitya-sannyasi renounces all selfish desire and dedicates himself for the good of others.
-A nitya-sannyasi practices the combination of action and renunciation every day, every minute. He is actively engaged in actions for the good of humanity, while practicing renunciation. He is on the way to the highest spiritual realization (Brahma-Sakshatkara [ब्रह्म-साक्षात्कार]).
-4th verse: “Only those who are not aware of the true nature of action and the true nature of renunciation, will argue that the two paths are different and in conflict with each other. The truth is that the person who practices one path will gain the fruits of the other path as well.”
-Great men and women of renunciation – Buddha, Jesus Christ, Lord Krishna – were also the greatest men of action. A sthitaprajna or nitya-sannyasi, as described in Gita, is all the time renouncing and also all the time working.
-5th verse: “The spiritual destination reached by men of knowledge can also be reached by practitioners of karma-yoga. Both paths take us to the same goal.”
-When people of active temperament begin to do their actions as karma-yoga, their mind begins to evolve. They begin to feel inner contentment. In course of time, they learn that there is a Divine Reality present everywhere and everything is a manifestation of that Reality.
-If one goes to a forest hermitage but has worldly desires, he is not truly practicing penance. On the other hand, one who is active in the world doing his duties as a karma-yogi, with shraddha and without attachment – he is the real practitioner of penance. One’s own home is a spiritual hermitage, if one is a man of action and renunciation.
-6th verse: “Renunciation of action is very difficult for those who have not already gone through the path of karma-yoga. One has to practice karma-yoga to be able to renounce later.”
-When we perform our actions as karma-yoga, we feel inner tranquility. Mind then becomes ready for the stage of renunciation, where we can sublimate our ego, and where all attachments, obsessions and selfish desires disappear.
-Mahatma Gandhi practiced Anasakti-Yoga. He led a life of action, but he was not attached to results. When we are non-attached and work for the good of humanity, our duty is no longer a burden. At the same time, it helps us grow spiritually.