Class Summary for Nov 4, 2018 - Chapter-2: 44 to 45

Summarized by :  Shivkumar Natarajan

We started with a summary of last weeks discussion and then proceeded with Verses 44-46

Verse 44

Karma Vs Karmakanda:

In Karma the seeker entertains a single focused idea and strives hard in its pursuit

Karmakanda advices various ritualistic performances for fulfillment of various desires as instructed in the Vedas

Krishna is asking that we do not mistake the means to for the end.

The Karmakanda is to prepare the person to have a single pointedness when it is pursued without specific desires.

Only a prepared  focused mind is fit for steady contemplation of Vedanta.

If not such people cannot attain the path of Samadhi

Verse 45

We then watched chap 2 verse 45 of Swami Chinmayananda's video on this verse.

Everyone in the world have 2 urges that goads them into activity namely yoga and Kshema

Acquiring under expectation/belief/superstition that when I acquire things that I don’t have currently  I will be happy

Kshema : Maintenance of things I acquire

To renounce these 2 main fields that yields extreme restlessness and sorrow in life

The Lord asks Arjuna to rise above the 3 Gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) so as to free oneself from pair of opposites.

When one is attached/focused in materialistic desires then he/she finds himself in a web.

This web includes satvvic/rajasic and tamasic desires/attractions. One has to surpass beyond it to be able to attain the real.

By acquiring the ultimate, you will automatically will get everything that is real.

If one has  an Uninterrupted pleasure supply (UPS) within you then you did not  search for it outside

e.g Running marathon for the snacks

The class then discussed need for Pravachan: If independently achieved and person is happy then no classes required

We discussed how to rise above Gunas

Sattva : We need to take dirt off and clean the mirror to see a clear reflection

Rajas: We need to clear the smoke to see

Tamas: If we are in womb then we need to come out of it to see it

You cannot get something infinite (Happiness) from  something temporary (e.g. acquiring a house). How can one  get happiness from something fleeting ?

We discussed Example of Nisarg Baba who continues with running a paan beedi shop. This demonstrates that a rich/poor person may reach same point of happiness

Vedanta: Heaven is within you. In most faith based religion happiness is later post life ends (heaven).

Verse 47 is famous verse that is the core of Karma Yoga

Your job (Karma) is only to fulfil the duty (Dharma) and not expect the reward (anxiety for result)

We discussed how in management nowadays there is a move from Result orientation management philosophy to process orientation.

In whatever one does one is only a contributory factor.

e.g.: a farmer can only plant the seeds . He cannot control influence of cyclone or make good rains to make good crops.

If you reduce effort you may get disappointed by work and result

We then watched Swami Chinmayananda's video on the same verse

The Result of an action cannot come before action or during action.

We can only act now in the present. Over anxiousness on fruit of action: Wasting my vitality for unknown called future.