Lect 6: Karma Kanda, Upasna Kanda and Jnana Kanda(pg 30-40)

Hindu culture is essentially a Vedic culture, called Vaidika Samskriti since it is based on authority of
Vedas. Vedas provide methods of spiritual development or should I say Knowledge of “philosophy of
life” (Start with discussion of doctor’s do’s and don’ts or equipment do’s and don’ts for best
performance)

Each veda contains 3 portions:

1)Karma Kanda which is “ritualistic portion” eg how to install a deity, yagna methods,

2)Upasna kanda which deals with worship and meditation on different aspects of the Lord as we see
Him manifested in various forms in the universe eg say Vishnu Sahasnama in temple

3)Jnana Kanda which reveal the highest Knowledge of self.

If you remember, Vedas point that purpose of life is not just live life superficially in the world of
appearances, but to know the absolute Reality/Truth for Liberation of mind/Moksha/salvation. We
learnt during Navratri we pray for 3 Goddesses, first Durga for killing the Mahisura in us and purify our
mind, then Lakshmi to discipline the mind and prepare ourselves to be focused for receiving knowledge
from Saraswati and reach Vijayadashmi; Vedas also contain 3 portions named above to purify (remove
the negative) and prepare (discipline) the mind to be ready for Knowledge of self.

1.Karma Kanda

What is impurity of mind: We learned that humans (we) act and respond to different situations not
objectively, but with some prejudice and conditioned by our personal likes and dislikes, desires, anger,
and passion which are expressions of our vasanas (inherent tendencies). When we act, prompted by
our vasanas rather than guided by dharma (greater good), we strengthen these likes and dislikes,
which constitutes the impurities.

Main philosophy of Karma Kanda:We indulge in many things just because they are available. Acharya
devo bhavaduradarsana devo bhava. First portion of Vedas advocates taking up of daily disciplines
(like brush before eating…) and doing it consistently without compromise. Whatever duties are enjoined
on us, whether at home or at work, we must stay steadfast and do not consider what others are doing
or not doing, be only concerned about fulfilling your own duty. We are also instructed to slowly reduce
our desire-prompted activities and the constant expectation of “What will I get?” Also we should not
indulge in prohibited karmas, meaning actions that are below our human dignity, such as stealing,
killing, rape….. Prohibited actions are generally motivated by desires that force us to do anything to
anybody to satisfy the desire. There are various types of Karma Kanda

A) Kamya Karma: rituals prompted by desire to get a particular result, and hence done by choice
(not enjoined by others) eg putresti yajna by King Dashartha.
B) Nitya Karma=Daily Duties to discipline our mind. According to respective stage of life, duty is
assigned to us for daily lifestyle to discipline our mind

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 a)Brahmacari: student life do gayatri mantra,
b)Grahastha: housholder’s life, raises a family and fulfils purusharth of having children and
working to be productive.
c)Vanaprastha: retired life when elderly have preparatory renunciation
d)Sanyassa: renounced order of life
C) Kartavya Karma=Duties Enjoined (imposed) upon us by others like parents, teachers,
government, employer, which we must fulfill as long as we are benefitting from society. Eg At
home as son, or at job sincerity-honesty-punctuality.
D) Samskara Karma=Purification Rituals. These are performed during developmental miles stones
of a person. Why do we engage in these rituals? Because in the performance of the ritual, an
impression is left upon the mind of the person or persons involved so that they feel they are
beginning a new life and have new responsibilities to fulfill. Eg. Birth, first solid food, Name,
graduation, marriage...

“Why are you giving me all injunctions and commandments; why are you binding us?” The rishis
(seers-spiritual doctors) and Vedas reply, “We are not binding you because you are already bound by all
your likes and dislikes, desires and anger. We are actually releasing you from your bondage.” Eg.
Doctors instructions of do’s and don’ts’ for illness along with medication. New equipment bought with
instructions of do’s and don’t’s for good performance.

Success comes only to a person who is well disciplined in his life, for without discipline no success is
possible. Thus even if we are able to keep one discipline in our lives and make it a rule for ourselves,
many other aspects also become disciplined and under our control. Eg getting up early at 5am, makes
us eat and sleep and do our work also in a timely manner.

2. Upasna Kanda

Main philosophy of Upasna Kanda:The second portion of Vedas is the Upasana Kanda means “worship”
or “sitting near.” Upa means “near” and asana means “sitting”. It means when we sit mentally near the
object of our worship, we begin to slowly imbibe the qualities of that object. Eg when cold sitting near
fire and becoming warm. Or Cigarrette smoke smell in bus causes clothes smelling the same. Same way,
Vedas instruct to do Ishthdevata upasana (worship of our chosen deity). There are many idols, Ram,
Krishna, Shiva,…..to worship. In truth, these are not mere idols, but ideals. People unnecessarily criticize
idol worship because they don’t understand the significance. Eg salute flag, A devotee meditating on Sri
Ram, who was the model of a perfect king, son, husband, and brother will slowly gain those same
qualities as Sri Rama. In Upasna kanda portion of Vedas, wonderful meditations are prescribed in which
we are given a patika, a symbol representing a greater ideal, upon which to fix the mind. By gathering all
our attention at one point, we gain all the virtues of that ideal and finally become one with it. When
mind is thus sharpened, and made single pointed, it becomes a powerhouse of energy, and with such
dynamism anything can be achieved

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