Class Summary for Oct 20, 2019 - Introduction to Chapter-3

Summarized by :  Bala Dhandapani

Notes from Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Class

Oct 20, 2019

Class started with a high level summary of Chapter 1 and 2 after meditation and prayer.

Chapter 2 recap on slokas

1-10: Arjuna surrender to God

11-46: Sankya -Gnana Yoga/knowledge (Consider as a Surgery for a cure)

47-60: Karma Yoga (second medicine)

61-70: Bhakti Yoga (supplement medicine)

71-72: Renunciation/Sanyasa Yoga (Cured person)

Introduction to Chapter 3 – Unfoldment through Action

Slokas in Chapter 3 are divided into the following:

1-2: Arjuna’s dilemma

3-19: Logic of Action

20-24: Emotional Motivation (for doing action)

25-35: Analysis of Action (different types of action and how they fit in)

36-39: Obstacles to right action – Karma Yoga

40-43: How to remove obstacles

Recap on Karma Yoga, Bhakti and Gnana Yoga:

Example: Clean Up of Hard Disk (Karma Yoga),  Decluster (Steadfast single action, Bhakti Yoga), this will result in Improved Performance.

• Bhakti Yoga is also needed to perform Karma Yoga.
• Removal of false notion is Gnana Yoga
• In the current state all 3 yogas are needed – Karma, Bhakti and Gnana
• Do Karma Yoga to perform Gnana Yoga

Benefits of Karma Yoga  (Chapter 3)

• Relate to world and be good
• Earn wealth and be happy
• Control sense indulgence
• Emotion in relationships (minus selfishness-pure love)
• Clarity in thinking
• Spiritual benefits – not to burden but to set free

Discussion on Bhagavad Gita, some of the points were

• Bhagavad Gita is not just a spiritual journey, but also helps us deal with day to day activities

Scenario to think about – if your company informs that they cannot pay for the next 2 months what will one do………..

Sloka 1 and 2 were chanted and discussed

Summary: Arjuna asks the Lord, why do you ask me to fight in the war – brining out his dilemma

Sloka 3-7

Summary: Krishna advises,

• One cannot do Gnana yoga without eliminating the attachments (vasanas)
• While doing Karma yoga one would also receive Gnana Yoga – depending on the vasanas

Interesting discussion on Situation and problem/experience

Situation – an accident that we see

Problem/Experience – When the same accident happens to us.

Theme of Slokas 1-7

• Arjuna gets a doubt on why do Karma Yoga after hearing details on Gnana Yoga
• Gnana Yoga needs preparation of the mind and that is provided by performing Karma Yoga
• It is like washing hands before eating
• Action has to be performed as per the Gunas/temperament of the person (active person vs. contemplative person)
• Inaction or abstaining from one’s duty is not an option
• The path also depends on the ashrama one is in.
• Karma of a student is to study
• Grahashram – earn for your family – duty towards your family

Class concluded with Gurudev’s video on Chapter 3 verse 3

-Every individual is unique and each one thinks independently

-Sankyaya  yoga – contemplative person seeking why why why

-Karma Yoga is for a dynamic (restless) person