Bhakti Sastri Essay

Essay Question - Give arguments supporting the superiority of Krama Yoga (prescribed
duties performed with detachment) over Karma Sannyasa yoga (renunciation of duties) and
discuss its relevance for Arjuna and practitioner of bhakti yoga with reference of verses,
cited analogies and examples from B.G. 3.4-9.

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga and all
glories to Srila Prabhupada.

There are many paths mentioned in the Shastras for attaining perfection, but the
denominator for all is control over the senses including the mind. "Na hi Kaschit Ksanam
api jatu tisthaty akarma -krt" B.G. 3.5, Not even for a moment can one refrain from doing
something. To perform action is an uncontrollable natural propensity of a living entity under
the 3 modes of material nature. Only a very many handful of advanced souls have been able
to refrain from and solely meditate on the Lord. But for men who are still engrossed in this
world, renunciation of work is impossible as they are still attached to materialistic
enjoyment.

The Lord propagates Karma Yoga for people because "Karyate hy avasah Karma Sarvah
prakriti jair gunaiḥ" everyone is helplessly forced to act according ones qualities affected by
the 3 modes of nature. Hence the Lord prescribes everyone to perform prescribed duties for
the sake of Vishnu by doing which one remains free from the bondage of work "Tad artham
karma kaunteya mukta sangah samacara." This is Karma yoga, working for the pleasure of
Krishna and not being attached to the fruits of the action.

One really good example is Hanuman. He did so many activities but he has never been
affected by them because he did them solely for the pleasure of Lord Rama, and he has
already attained perfection (reach Vishnu) which is the goal of human existence. Whereas
for example Viswamitra who tried the Karma sannyasa process fell down so many times in
the process and took so many thousands of decades to attain his desired goal.

Ultimately the prime 'svartha gati' or goal of self interest is to reach Vishnu. And there is no
better way of reaching Vishnu than following the path prescribed by Him. Krishna knows that
it is much harder to restrain the mind(cancala hi manah krsna pramathi balavat drudam Bg
6.34) and the senses than to engage them hence he prescribes Arjuna Karma Yoga over
Karma Sannyasa.

For Arjuna who is a kshatriya and a very important instrument in Krishnas plan, he should
follow his duty and fight, and offer the results to Krishna which will please Krishna and in the
process Arjuna can attain perfection by pleasing Krishna.

For us in this day and age with our disturbed minds there is no possible way for us to give up
action and stay focused in Krsna consciousness. We have to follow in the footsteps of our
Acharyas and lead a life full of devotional activities like preaching, singing, reading,
discussing the glories of Krishna while simultaneously performing our material duties but
offering all the fruits of our activities to Krishna so that we can purify ourselves and reach
Krishna attaining the prime svartha gati or goal of life.

Hare Krishna…