Class Summary for Nov 16, 2019 - Chapter-3 Slokas 20 - 24

Summarized by :  Sudha 

• Opening Prayers & Meditation.
• Review of previous class verses followed by discussion of its applications in real life:
• Performing actions with a level of abstraction/detachment (I, We, Small team, Large Team, Universe)
• Discussion of 3 types of action:
• Don’t contribute/act, but take full credit.
• Act with a selfish motive.
• Act without being attached to our actions.
• Discussion among individuals regarding goals versus results.
• Gurudev’s videos pertaining to Verses 15, 16 and 18:
• Our ability to function is a gift given by the Creator.
• Gurudev refers humans to two legged animals, when they simply follow and don’t think and act in an appropriate manner! Such people’s lives are not straight but full of disorder!
• Actions caused by external pressure is not a trait of a realized man. We have to work to purify our mind, thereby exhausting our vasanas to reach the higher goal. On the other hand, realized men work out of pure compassion to the human kind.
• Chanting of verses 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 with detailed explanation as follows:
• Lord Krishna changes his tactics in dealing with Arjuna, as he shifts from the ‘highest order perspective’, to a ‘direct order’ approach.
• He emphasizes that if Arjuna doesn’t perform the right action and runs away from the battle ground, there will be total chaos!
• Lord Krishna emphasizes the general adage behind human development, and tells Arjuna, that his followers will simply imitate his actions whatever it may be, and therefore asks him to be a role model, a leader, thereby setting an example to the society.
• He starts giving Arjuna examples of exemplary individuals like King Janaka, a Sage King who performed his duties with great fervor and a sage like attitude.
• We discussed teachings of Gandhiji, who said, “Be the change, you want to see in the world”.
• Talked about the difference between a Bhogi (One who performs action for the fruits of his action) and a Yogi (One who performs action for self-purification).
• Krishna then brings in a special example of leader among men.. Himself! He says the world would come to a halt, if he did not continue to work without relaxation – men would simply follow Him and plunge into an unproductive existence!
• Lord Krishna reiterates that the entire universe survives and lives by mere action alone!
• Ended the class by watching Gurudev’s video pertaining to verse 21.
• He gives an example wherein the kid would likely take up to reading if he saw his parents spending their time reading.

• Closing Prayers

Class Summary for Nov 3, 2019 - Chapter-3 Slokas 14 - 19

Summarized by :  Ramya Balasubramanian

Verses 8- 13

Continuing on verses 8-13 from the previous week, we watched two videos of Swami Chinmayananda on creating/balancing the Vasanas and BMI. Actions taken by individuals, playing a specific role such as role of a parent or spouse, also different roles played during a day in your life. How are we treating the roles? Every action has to be performed with the right attitude, so that happy and fulfilled in any action you do. Action without right attitude leads to bondage. Take away the “I”ness away. For eg: as a parent, we are instruments to bring the child to the world. Think of yourself as being a part of a bigger puzzle. If we have the attitude of being grateful to be given the opportunity and not expecting anything in return. The key is to maintain gratitude sort of approaching every action performed, which will take the “I” part away, which in turn helps us get out of the vicious cycle of vasanas. The Action itself should give happiness. When you are attached to the result, and results don’t happen to go your way, the attachment manifests as disappointments that in turn eventually leads to downfall. 

Chapters 14-19

Food <- Rain <- Yagna <- Action <- Creator <- Brahman

This is an agricultural metaphor. Out of Brahman comes Lord Brahma or the creator of the universe. Brahma is symbolic of ignorance or vasanas. Vasanas manifest as action. Yajna is refined or purified action which gives rise to rain or a conducive mind-set. Rain yields food or products which sustains all living beings, creates prosperity. Yagna is the physical form. which brings down the noise in the mind  so we can focus on absolute reality and work more towards it,. With this sacrificial approach, you feel refreshed since there is no expectation. One who does not follow the principle of yajna which seems to pervade the entire universe merely lives a sensual, indulgent life, oblivious of a higher purpose. Every Action of ours without the Yagna spirit makes us stuck in our vasanas and stops us from self realisation. The choice is ours, whether we perform the Actions for  materialistic reasons or with no expectations. Indriya Rama vs Aatma Rama( Stick vs Gnana Mudra depicted by Krishna). Ātmārāma - one who enjoys in the spiritual atmosphere, Indriyarama - sense indulgence. 

If we are delighted/contented with what you have, you will automatically be exempted by expectations. Do not be dependent on the world, but should be able to transact with the world. Inaction is not an option, we have to be happy with our current state but still be able to perform actions expected of you. 

Example discussed - Man sitting on a tree branch vs bird 

Try and imagine the mindset of the man vs the bird. The man is attached to the branch, whereas the bird can fly away whenever it wants. We have to still perform all action but not be attached. Your attitude should be like that of a bird, such that you should be able to leave the tree whenever you want. 

Class Summary for Oct 27, 2019 - Chapter-3 Slokas 8-13

Summarized by :  Neelima Turaga

We started the class with opening prayers, pranayam and meditation.
After a brief recap of last week's class we watched three videos of Gurudev related to the verses 4, 5 and 6 of chapter 3.

Summary -
 By giving up all activities or by not undertaking any activities that will benefit the society, a person does not reach a state of actionlessness or naishkarmya as indicated by the rishis and vedas. A person escaping from the world cannot reach religion or spirituality.  One has no right to renounce the world. The world is not yours to give it up. You can only give up what is yours and that is your attachment. No living organism can remain without activity. As long as there is life there is response to external stimuli. Life is expressed in action. Never can a living organism keep quiet or without activity even for a moment.
Naishkarmya is a state accomplished where one becomes actionless, or all actions become totally spontaneous,  There are no more desires, thoughts or vasanas.

Nothing can be without action. It was even been scientifically proven, that every cell in the body of a living organism is performing an activity all the time. Inaction is not an option.

We then chanted Shlokas 8,9,10, 11,12 and 13
We discussed how a person's action can be compared to a yagna or sacrifice.

The field of activity in which a person operates (ex - doctor, soldier) is the yagna kund. The talent or ability a person puts to use is equivalent to the ahuti or offering to the sacrificial fire. The fire then shoots up with the offering, which is like the profits or results received. Even though the yagna is performed by one person, the prasad at the end of the sacrifice is distributed to everyone, Similarly, the profits or the fruits of a person's action should be distributed to everyone.

As long as a person performs one's duty, there is peace. The moment he/she starts thinking in terms of rights, there are bound to be disagreements or fights.

It is important to perform one's duties and accept the result, whatever it is, as a prasadam.

There was a discussion about the application of these principles of duties and rights in daily life. The examples of Buddha giving up his duty as a prince and renouncing the world, and Rama sending his pregnant wife to the forest were briefly discussed. The concluding point was that although these examples can be perceived as a deviation from duty, a deeper insight into such topics will help us understand that there is a higher goal and a greater good involved.

Other points discussed -
Prescribed vedic duties are based on your dharma and how you perform them makes a difference. It can be classified as Satvik, Rajasik or Tamasik based on the reason for the action, obligatory, desire driven or prohibited. (ex - a soldier in a war vs an active shooter, both using weapons, but for completely different reasons).
Nitya karma  encompasses the duties a person has to perform everyday, no matter what.
Naimitya karma includes actions that need to be performed due to certain circumstances.

Action without the right attitude will result in bondage, whereas, action with devotion is equivalent to a yagna and will free one from bondage.
Harmonious living with the right attitude is the way to sustain the world. There needs to be harmony and balance, whether it be in the workplace or elsewhere. The underlying attitude is what matters the most. Whether the action is performed for a selfish motive or is it for the greater good is what determines this.

The world and the body are God's gifts to us. What we do with them is our gift back to God. It is important to take appropriate action as per the circumstances.

A  grateful and thankful attitude is very important.