Bhagavad-Gita

As It Is
Chapter 5 - Karma Yoga – Action
in Krishna Consciousness
Arjuna’s confusion
● Krishna says in the 4th
chapter that all kinds of
sacrificial work leads to
transcendental
knowledge
● Why then does Krishna
ask him to wake up and
fight?
● So which is better-
Working in devotion or
Inaction in knowledge?
 ● Work in devotion better than renunciation
VERSES 1 TO 10 of work.
● One detached from the fruits of his work is
known to be renounced.
● Can easily free himself from material
bondage and be liberated.
● Karma yoga and Sankhya Yoga both have
the same goal.
●  Karma Yoga or working for Krishna gives
complete knowledge.
● Lotus leaf while in water is untouched by it.
Work and renunciation seems incompatible to
Arjuna
● Work and renunciation
seems incompatible to
Arjuna
● Work in knowledge
causes no reaction- so
same as inaction
● Doubt of Arjuna- To cease
work or work with full
knowledge
Everything should be engaged for Krishna
● Mere renunciation does not
purify the heart
● Has to act on the status of
the soul(servant of Krishna)
● Renunciation without
Krishna Consciousness-
incomplete
● Everything in this world
belongs to Krishna
● Everything should be used in
Krishna’s service
● Working with this
knowledge, one gets
complete knowledge  BG 5.6
Attachment to Krishna is the same as
detachment from Matter
● Sankhya Yoga (Analytical
study of the material world
and detachment of matter)
– finds the root of existence -
Vishnu
● Karma Yoga(Attachment to
Krishna)- waters that root of
existence

One who is attached to Krishna is

automatically detached from matter
Devotee of the Lord loves all – sees them as
parts of Krishna
● Devotee of the Lord
loves all – sees them as
parts of Krishna
● Thinks himself servant
of all
● Everyone satisfied with
his work
● So,dear to everyone
BG 5.7
While working Self realized soul is aware of
Krishna- not his senses
● While working Self
realized soul is aware of
Krishna- not his senses 
● So he is not the doer
● Performing duty
without attachment to
results
● Lotus leaf untouched by
water(No sinful
reactions) BG 5.10
VERSES 11 TO 21 ● One in Krishna Consciousness acts only for
self- purification.
● Attached to Krishna- so no anxiety over
results of work.
● Identifies with the Supersoul and not the
body.
● The three doers of every action.
● But who is actually responsible for the
action?
● A perfect devotee achieves complete
knowledge and is liberated.
Cause for anxiety- greed
for enjoying the results Offers results to Krishna
● Cause for anxiety-
greed for enjoying the
results
● Devotee works only for
purification of
consciousness
● Offers results to
Krishna BG 5.12
Ignorance makes us identify with We are neither proprietor nor
our body controller
● Ignorance makes us
identify with our body-
the city of nine gates
● Body- A result of
varieties of actions and
reactions
● Modes of material nature
activate this body
● We are neither
proprietor nor controller
● How to become master
of the body
The Lord fulfils our desires
● The Lord fulfils our
desires
● But not responsible
for our actions and
reactions
● Gives special care
when we desire Him
 Who is responsible then for our
actions if the soul is not the doer?
● Modes of Material nature,
which is controlling us?
● Paramatma , who is
sanctioning these activities
and controlling the Modes?
● The living entity who is not
actually the doer?
● Answer- The living entity is
responsible because he
desires the independent
material enjoyment BG 5.14
and 5.15
Requirement of
a bona fide
spiritual master
● When enlightened with
knowledge, this truth is
revealed
● Requirement of a bona
fide spiritual master
● Then one’s intelligence,
mind, faith and refuge -
all fixed in the Supreme
Paramatma present in all
hearts
Vision of one in
knowledge
● Seeing all living beings ( a
brahmana, a cow, an
elephant, a dog and dog-
eater)with an equal
vision
● Paramatma present in all
hearts
● Steady in both happiness
and distress
Material pleasures- Wise men concentrate on
temporary transcendental pleasure
● Material pleasures-
temporary
● They are also sources
of misery
● Wise men concentrate
on transcendental
pleasure
VERSES 22 TO 29
● Tolerating the six urges
● Happiness is within
● Working for welfare of all
● Ashtanga yogis also achieve this
● The formula for peace
Tolerating the 6 urges of the
body- sign of self realization

● Well situated and happy

● And working for the
welfare of others
● Enlightening them
about their lost
relationship with
Krishna
Constantly thinking
of Krishna

● Engaging in His
service
● Elevation to the
Spiritual world BG
5.25 and 26
Liberation through
Ashtanga Yoga
● Shutting out all external sense
objects
● Eyes concentrated between the
eyebrows
● Controlling the breathing
● Controlling the mind, senses
and intelligence
● Always in this state –BG
2.27-28
● Is this practical today?
Peace formula even in a battle field!
● Knowing that Lord
Krishna- beneficiary in all
activities
● The Lord of the entire
creation
● Our only well- wishing
friend
● Can give us complete
peace and freedom from
all miseries BG 5.29
How to easily achieve this realization in this age?

Practical application of
these principles:

Mission of the Yuga

Avatara- Lord Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu
How to easily achieve this realization in this age ?

Chanting Association of
devotees
BG Verse 5.29
Hari Bol.

37

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