"Karma Yoga - 02 / 07" Talk in English by Swami Aparajitananda, Chinmaya Mission Mangaluru.

Hari Om! Swāmī Aparājitānanda jī, after reviewing the sequence (viz. action - purity of mind - control - meditation - Self Knowledge and be free), reiterates the message not to escape worldly realities of life in the name of spirituality, but utilise the world till enough dispassion and devotion is arrived at. A trained mind is the best company and how to live in world is thoroughly discussed. Verse 9 is called the gist of Karma Yoga. Swāmījī makes each nook and corner of Karma Yoga most clearly visible and each tune of Krishna's flute, most audible in his unique style. • Logic of action and deep analysis of mind • Normal equation of happiness and its six defects with respect to various aspects • From all points, finite + finite = finite only • Relation between Karma and bandhaha • Action + Yajña Bhāva = Karma Yoga • Action - Yajña Bhāva = Psychological bondage • Vicious circle of vāsanās - karma - karmaphala - rāga/dvesha - birth/death cycle • Only Knowledge can give freedom from bondage of action and only action can liberate. • Verse 9 as solution and help from Scriptures • Shankarācharya jī's definition of God = Yajña • Why act for God? • Gift quote of Pūjya Gurudev exhaustively simplified • "Nothing belongs to me" attitude of humility and gratitude • Doing Yajña Karma and pleasing God by leading a righteous life • Mistake in equation is to forget God • Purpose of Lord's Avatāra and our contribution Swāmījī expounds on 4 principles of Karma Yoga: • kartavya nirvāhanam, • samyaka ācharanam, • arpana buddhi (gratitude and humility with 6 fold aspects of shraddha, Devotion, Tyāga Buddhi, sacrifice, Sharanāgati and listening to voice of Consciousness) and • Prasāda Buddhi and the instant proof of it. Such a person becomes free from six defects of Karma. • Karmi v/s Karma Yogi at all levels of spirituality from attitude to attainment (to be continued) (Bhagavad Gītā, Chp 3: Talk 2 of 7 - Verse 9)