An ISKCON Mandir Sermon - Definition of Karma Yoga
Namaste,
Quite often we have people come to the forum and ask for suggestions about a Bhagwad Gita translation which is literal and unbiased. We have a hard time coming up with one that meets the requester’s requirements. But this post deals with the literal translation of just one verse.
When we mention the term yoga, what comes to mind is the often repeated definition - yoga is the process of yoking of self with divinity. But a simple and basic definition of the term yoga is provided by Krishanji in BG 2.48 - ‘Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjun, abandoning all attachments to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga’. This is almost a pre-theistic, literal definition of yoga which does not even require a belief in or acceptance of God and is provided by Krishanji. It is a bare bones, clear definition which does not require interpretation.
Yoga, according to BG 2.48 is fulfilling the purpose of your existence in an equipoised mode, with no regard for or attachment to the results (fruits) of the actions performed. It is merely performing one’s duty in a detached mode. Arjun has to do his karma (action), which is to fight in the cause of dharma in an equipoised state and let the chips fall where they may.
At philosophic level, when we are not attached to the results of the action, we tend to get demotivated and slack off. We should not become inactive because of non-attachment to the fruits of the action. Another aspect is that when we get elated with a success, we get a free gift to get depressed when things don’t go our way. 'Ups and downs create equal disturbances in the forest'. But when we train ourselves to be equipoised, the disturbances vanish and we stay calm and joyous through transcendence of senses. When we are able to transcend karma (literal meaning action), we become yogis. One of the core delusions of mankind makes people teach us to be happy at our success and not get depressed at failure. That simply is not possible. Perhaps we need to have an institution called ‘Attachment Anonymous’ that will train us to always be in the detached mode.
To recap, karma is action and (karma) yoga is the art of karma (BG 2.50) – performing duty with equanimity. And one who rises to that level, becomes a yogi.
Pranam.