Chapter wise gist (Summary) of Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3
Chapter wise gist (Summary) of Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga
This chapter deals with karma yoga i.e actions that leads to God.
No. of shlokas by
Krishna | Arjun | Sanjay | Dritrashtra |
---|---|---|---|
40 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
- Arjuna was still confused about spirituality, which according to him is retirement from active life and leading life as a monk in solitude.
Lord Krishna explains that true renunciation does not mean just abandonment of daily duties but abandonment of the feeling or mentality, that we are the controller of our deeds. Instead, we have to continue our daily duties and offer the results to God. By knowing that God is the ultimate controller and enjoyer, true renunciation can take place.
- Krishna explains, working selflessly is an advanced stage of spiritual realization. There are four levels in the yoga ladder.
- At the lowest level an individual is only interested in materialistic enjoyment and does not show any interest in spiritual realization.
- In the second stage, individual is still interested on materialistic enjoyment but tries to achieve it by religious practices. (Karma kanda)
- In the third stage, individual starts offering a part of his/ her results to God but maintaining some selfish attitude (Sakama Karma yoga).
- In the fourth stage, an individual offers all of his results to God, keeping the bare minimum necessary for the maintenance of his and his family. (Niskama karma yoga). People in this stage become peaceful, breaks free all his karmic implications and become free (liberation/ moksha).
- Lord Krishna further clarifies, upon attainment of final stage of karma yoga, the duty of the individual does not end. The individual should be an inspiration for others by continuing his duty. He should not retire from active life.
- Since actual doer is God, Arjuna will not get any sin due to war. We are doer but co-doer with God.
- Arjuna asks, in life even though, correct path is known, why we get diverted and lands in wrong path?
Lord Krishna explains, the enemy of aspiring spiritualist is LUST. Even though inherent quality of soul is love, when it comes to this world, pure love gets distorted to lust. Soul characteristics changes from selfless to self centered. Individuals with lust seek immediate gratification over fulfilling the purpose of life . The solution is managing both lust and spiritual intelligence simultaneously, so that one can focus on the higher pursuits in life.
One line summary of chapter 3 of Bhagavad Gita
3rd chapter of Bhagavad Gita teaches us about the
actions that leads to God.
God is the all doer.
By knowing that God is the ultimate controller and enjoyer, true renunciation can take place.
The enemy of aspiring spiritualist is LUST. The solution is managing both lust and spiritual intelligence simultaneously, so that one can focus on the higher pursuits in life.
Reference
- Bhagavad Gita as it is by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
- Universal Message of the Bhagavad Gita Universal Message of the Bhagavad Gita: An Exposition of the Gita in the Light of Modern Thought & Modern Needs by Swami Ranganathananda (a 1500 pages detailed explanation of Bhagavad Gita)
Read other posts of this website
Comments
Post a Comment