Lotus Gita- A Path to Salvation CHAPTER III

In the first two Chapters of the Lotus Gita following topics have been discussed :
Chapter-1-Despondency shown by Arjun ( Total verses-47) 1. Principal warriors of Mahabharat Battle and their qualities
2. Conches blowing description
3. Inspection of army by Arjun
4. Description of the despodencyOf Arjun
CHAPTER-II- SANKHYA AND KARMA YOGA (KNOWLEDGE AND ACTION YOGA) (Total verses72)
1. More discussion on Arjun”s Depression
2. Sankhya Yoga Discussed
3. Kshtriya’s Duty in battle graound
4. Karma Yoga Discussed
5. Identifying the persons of stable mind
Now in the next Chapter following subjects will be discussed:
CHAPTER-III-KARMA YOGA (YOGA OF ACTION) (total verses. 43)
1. Specific performance of duty according to Sankhya and Karma Yoga
2. Securing Universal cycle through duty performance
3. Imposition and performance of duty for universal welfare
4. Performance of duty as per one’s own belief Without attachment or detachment
5. Winning emotions

CHAPTER-III-KARMA YOGA (YOGA OF ACTION) (1-43)

1-9 Specific performance of duty according to Sankhya and Karma Yoga

Arjuna said:
Krisna! If you recognize Knowledge (Intellect) superior to Action, then why do you urge me to this dreadful act? Kesava!
You are making my mind puzzled by these confusing mixed up expressions. Therefore speak definite and one discipline that may bring me welfare.
Sri Bhagavan said:
O innocent Arjuna! In this Human world two types of beliefs have been told by me in the past. In the case of the sankhyayogi ( Believers of Knowledge) the act proceeds along the path of knowledge, whereas in the case of the person proceeding along the path of action are Karmayogi (Believers of acts).
A person do not experience liberty from acts without entering upon action and nor does he reach perfection merely by renunciation of action.
It is sure that no one can remain inactive even for a moment; because everyone is helplessly driven to action by nature-born qualities.
A person who outwardly restrains the organs of senses and their activities but his thoughts mentally dwelling on objects of senses, he is a man of foolish intellect and called a hypocrite.
Arjun! But the person who controls the organs of senses by the mind and remaining unattached practices the KarmYoga ( Yoga of Action) through those organs of senses, he excels.
Therefore, Perform your allotted duty because for action is superior to inaction. Desisting from action, you can not even maintain your body.
Arjun! All the persons are bound by shackles of Karma only when they are engaged in acts other than the actions performed for the sake of sacrifice (act in obedience of duty). Therefore, perform your duty, without any attachment, for the sake of sacrifice only.
10-19 Securing Universal cycles through duty performance
The Lord of the Universe (i.e. Prajapati Bramha) at the beginning human being etc along with the rules of duty towards actions directed them to multiply themselves through this duty towards actions and that may yield every thing they require for obedience to duty.
With this obedience towards duty they should upheld their Gods and may those Gods through their own duty foster them. Thus fostering one another attain the perfect welfare.
Fostered through Yagya (sacrifice), the Gods provide all the material required for obedience of duty towards actions without asking. A person who appropriates the material bestowed by the Gods for his own use without giving them in return, is a thief.
Those virtuous persons who use the material left in balance after sacrifice are absolved of all the sins. Those who cook for their own sake are sinful ones and eat only sin.
All creatures are evolved from food. Production of food depends on rains. Rain ensues from sacrifice. Sacrifice is rooted in performance of action.
Know that actions have their origin in the Veda (Old Scriptures). The Veda appeared through Akshar Bramha (the first Alphabet). Therefore Almighty God is always present in sacrifice.
Arjuna! One who does not act according to the conventional cycle set for this universe on this earth he is user of materialistic consumables through his body organs passing sinful life and living without use.
But a person, who is self delighted, self satisfied and is contented in the Self, has no duty.
That great person has no purpose for doing any act or omitting to do any act in this world and he does not have any selfish relation with any creature.
Therefore, always do your duty efficiently without attachment because a person in action work without attachment, attains the supreme Almighty.
20-29 Imposition and performance of duty for universal welfare

So many wise men like King Janak reached perfection through actions (without attachment). Therefore in view of the conventions of the world order too, you are liable to do act without attachment.
People follow the actions of great persons. People do their action according to the standard prescribed by great persons.
Arjuna! There is no act to be done by me in the three worlds ( i.e. Sky,Earth and deep underground. Say the Universe). There is nothing attaining unattained by Me that is yet to be attained. Still I continue actions.
Arjun! If I do not engage in action unwearied at any time, great harm will result because men follow My path in all matters.
If I do not engage in action every one will reach to end; and I should than be called the author of confusion of castes and of the destroyer of all these subjects.
Arjuna! The way in unwise persons act with attachment, the wise men should act similarly, seeking maintenance of the world order, without attachment.
Be careful! Wise man elevated in yoga should not disturb the mind of the ignorant persons attached to action, but should get them to perform all their duties, duly performing all those acts himself.
All the actions are done by the properties and process of nature. But the proudy unwise person, whose mind is deluded by egoism, considers himself to be the doer.
Arjun! However, one who knows the truth about the respective spheres of qualities and process of nature with respect to actions, holding that it is the Natural Process to perform natural actions does not get attached to them,
Those, who are completely deluded by the qualities and process of nature in actions, remain attached to those qualities and actions; A man of perfect knowledge should not disturb the mind of those having insufficient knowledge.
30-35 Performance of duty as per one’s own belief
Without attachment or detachment

Therefore, dedicating all the actions to Me with your mind , be freed from desires and the feeling of self possessiveness and mental fever, do your battle duty.
Even those who always follow this doctrine of Mine, without fault but with devoted mind, attain liberty from the binding effect of all actions.
But those who, find fault with this doctrine of Mine and do not follow it, they should be known to have been deluded in the matter of all knowledge, senseless and lost.
All creatures follow nature; wise man also behaves in conformity with his nature. What can restraint do in this?
Attraction and repulsion of a person are rooted in all sense-objects. Man should never come subordinate to them, because both of these are the main stumbling blocks in his way.
One's own duty having less merit is better to the duty of another well performed. Even death in the performance of own duty brings blessedness; another's command is full of fear.
36-43 winning emotions
Arjuna said:
O Krisna! Then what inspires a person acts involuntarily to commit sin as if he is driven forcefully.
Sri Bhagavan said:
It is desire an outcome of Rajas nature that turns out to be in form of anger, insatiable and grossly wicked; should be known to be the enemy in this case.
Smoke envelopes flame, Dirt envelopes mirror and amnion envelopes embryo similarly knowledge is enveloped by it (desire).
Arjuna! Knowledge is covered by this eternal enemy of the wise persons, the insatiable fire in the form of desire.
The senses, the mind and the intellect are said to be its seat; enveloping knowledge through these, it (desire) attracts the human beings.
Arjun! Therefore, control the senses and kill forcefully the wicked desire that destroys Knowledge and science.
The senses are said to be superior and energetic than the body; but mind is greater than the senses. Intellect is Greater than the mind and desire is superior to the intellect.
Arjun! Thus know that desire is superior to the intellect, you should control yourself and kill this undefeated enemy that is in the form of desire.

The Third chapter of the science of Bramha and the scripture of yoga in the glorious Upnishad of Shree Mad Bhagvat Gita titled as "Karmyoga" (the Yoga of Actions) - A dialogue between Shri Krishna and Arjuna finishes here

Damodar Mishra