In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna explaining a subtle point to Arjuna that “Karma Yoga” performed with the right “Gnyaanam” will lead one to “Atma-Saakshaakaaram”. Till now we’ve been confusing that the “Karma Yoga” and “Gnyaana Yoga” are intertwined with each other and we should see the “Gnyaana Yoga” inside “Karma Yoga”. Bhagawan Krishna clarifies here that it is not the “Gnyaana Yoga” that we should see inside the “Karma Yoga”, but the “Gnyaanam” which is nothing but knowledge and right understanding of what we’re doing. In other words, if we do our actions with the right understanding and awareness, this would automatically lead us to the highest “Atma-Saakshaakaaram” (Realization of our “Atman”). Thus, we should be very clear that Bhagawan never said that “Karma Yoga” is more significant than the “Gnyaana Yoga”. Even now, Bhagawan implies through this section that the “Gnyaana Yoga” is always more significant than the “Karma Yoga” and it is the next stage. We should be clear here that Bhagawan is talking about how “Gnyaanam” is important while performing our “Karma”. So let us be devoid of this confusion that Bhagawan is trying to clarify.
Clarifying thus, Bhagawan Krishna explains to Arjuna – “Oh Arjuna! Thus, you need to fight the war, keeping whatever I’ve said in mind – See the war as your “physical action” (“Karma”). Fight the war with the knowledge that I’m behind it. You should have the “Gnyaanam” that you are fighting the war as part of a greater duty to restore “Dharma” in this world! There is no respite for you from this. Hence, take the bow in your hand and let us commence the war right away!” With this, we come to the end of the fourth “Adhyaaya” and we shall now quickly commence the fifth “Adhyaaya”, wherein Bhagawan is going to describe what is “Yoga”.
“Karma yogascha soukaryam shaikriyamkaaschana vibhaaha!”
Here, Arjuna has a doubt thus, “Oh Bhagawan! You’re telling a lot about the “Karma Yoga”, aren’t you? Don’t you think it is tough to implement it? For instance, warriors like me who are standing in thousands on this battlefield have the similar “Karma Yoga” like how I have. But for all of us, it is a question of life and death, isn’t it? Is it that easy for everyone to sacrifice their lives as part of their “Karma Yoga”? What do you think? Isn’t it difficult for us to execute our “Karma”?” For this, Bhagawan gives a beautiful reply, wherein He talks about something called “Sanyaasa Yoga”. Thus, the fifth “Adhyaaya” fully talks about this “Sanyaasa Yoga” and Bhagawan replies thus, “Oh Arjuna! You’ve asked an important question here – Performing your “Karma” isn’t as difficult as you think. You can do it at your ease and convenience. However, what is important here is that you perform your duty without running away from it!” Bhagawan says thus,
“Sanyaasah karma yogascha nishreya sakaraavubhou!
Tayosthu karma sanyaasaath karma yoga vishishyate!!”
So, Bhagawan tries to alleviate Arjuna’s fear once again. We can see here that Arjuna is still of the mindset that he should somehow run away from the battlefield without fighting the war. For this, he is raising different questions to somehow get an answer from Bhaagwan Krishna in his favour. However, unfortunately for him. Bhagawan Krishna is absolutely resolute and clear in His approach! 🙂 Bhagawan Krishna says thus, “Oh Arjuna! You should understand the difference between “Sanyaasa” and “Karma-Sanyaasa”. “Sanyaasa” is nothing but leaving everything behind and renouncing your life completely. “Karma-Sanyaasa” means leaving behind your “Karma” completely. Both of these cannot be equated. What you are trying to do here is “Karma-Sanyaasa”, wherein, you are trying to go away from your “Karma”. However, oh Arjuna! Please understand one thing clearly – “Karma Yoga” is far more significant as compared to the “Karma Sanyaasa” that we’re talking about here. If you perform your “Karma Yoga” properly without expecting the results out of it, it is far significant than the “Karma Sanyaasa”, wherein you’re trying to run away from performing your “Karma”!
Hence, from the above conversion it is clear that performing our duty is of extreme importance and there’s no way out from it! If we’ve to undertake “Sanyaasa”, it is not that easy as Arjuna thinks. What Arjuna is trying to do here is not to take the “Sanyaasa” altogether. If he runs away from the battlefield now, it would be equivalent of taking “Karma-Sanyaasa”, which is not going to benefit Arjuna in any way. This applies to all of us as well. If we run away from performing our duty properly, we are only going to be a big loser! Rather, if we give it a try and then fail in it, it is far more significant than running away from it, isn’t it? So for today, let us understand this point very clearly and we shall wait till the next episode to witness the management and leadership implications of this particular point! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 