24 Aug 2011
Sloka 1 & 2 form a continuation of fifth chapter only.
Real sanyas is inside and not in the external changes. One can be a sanyasi in his own place. This is emphasised throughout the 5th chapter. Karya karma represents the svadharma.Life is full of duties(karma). Depending on the role, karma varies.
Sanyasi is one, who does his karma, without expecting any benefits out of it. Agni holds a lot of importance in all rituals of gruhastashrama. Only Agni Deva has rupam. A lighted lamp is considered as a witness for all religious functions. Agnihotram of gruhastashrama can be left only when one dies or becomes a sanyasi. Sukastakam says that one, who is treading the path of sanyasa, has no duties to be done or forbidden.By not doing his duties or agnihotram, one will not become a sanyasi.
When one is called as 'karmayogi',(doing his duties without expecting phalam) he is a sanyasi. A person who has not given up 'sankalpa'( attachment to karma phalam) is not a sanyasi in true sense. Sankalpa is a subtler form of desire(kama). A thought is also sankalpa, but it does not affect much.Sankalpa is a seed from which kama grows.
31 Aug 2011
Sloka 3 &4 Karma yoga and jnana yoga are both necessary to be followed in one's life. Generally one begins with karma yoga. The purpose of karma yoga is to gain chittasuddhi (getting a clean mind). For jnanam, a clean mind is a must. Karma yoga has to be practised by one, till he / she is ready for jnanayoga. This is similar to rubbing the vessel, till the dirt is removed. Continuing with Karma yoga is not needed once one is ready for jnanayoga. The scaffolding (karma yoga) has to be removed, once the roof (jnanayoga) is ready.
Karma yoga is very useful for one who wants to move forward in jnanayoga. Once one becomes a jnani, he is free from all karmas. When one loses interest in worldly pleasures,he loses his liking for achievements and doing things. One who has dropped all his thoughts for karma (sankalpa sanyasi),he is known as yogarudah.
7 Sept 2011
Sloka 5 &6 When one can help oneself, then he should not wait for some one's help. But when required , help should be taken. But sometimes even when someone is willing to help and you are ready to accept, it may be beyond his ability. Even when someone provides the food, only one has to eat himself to overcome his hunger. If one wants to grow spiritually, only he has to do the necessary practice. It is this, one's own effort or not, makes him a friend or enemy of oneself. This point is emphasised in vivekachudamani by Sankaracharya.
One should not be a slave of body-mind complex, but be the master.Since there is no clarity between self (Atma) and one's body-mind complex (Anatma), one gets into the problem of self serving the body-mind. One can be friend of one's Atma, when he has conquered one's self (knowing self) and has control over his body-mind. One, who has no control over body-mind, becomes an enemy for self.
Dear Swamiji,
ReplyDeleteOn one side, I am pulled into the wonderful world of possibilities that my 7 year old stands for and the other reminds me that everything that is will come to pass - leaving me sweating cold. I know, but i dread neverthelss and then looks for answers. The ones that will lead me out of this cycle doing, having, losing to a state of just being.
Mastering body mind complex cannot be done in part-time. What i do throughout the day consumes me, the expectation of my role in the office mounts to a point where 24 hours do not seem enough. The thrill of action is the fodder for the mind and a purposeful life seems to quietly slip away.
Please advice