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11/12/2013 Karma yoga - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Bronze statue representing the discourse ofKrishna and Arjuna, in Kurukshetra
Karma yogaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Karma Yoga)
Karma yoga (Sanskrit: कम योग), or the "discipline ofaction" is a form of yoga based on the teachings of theBhagavad Gita, a sacred Sanskrit scripture of Hinduism.Of the four paths to realization, karma yoga is theprocess of achieving perfection in action. Karma yoga isan intrinsic part of many derivative types of yoga, suchas Natya Yoga. Karma yoga is often understood as ayoga of selfless (altruistic) service.
Contents
1 Background2 Concept
2.1 Quotations from the Gita2.2 Surrendering action: sattvika vs tamasika tyaga
2.2.1 Sattvika tyaga ritual2.2.2 Other mantras
3 Karma4 Schools of thought5 Alternative interpretation of Karma (Karm)6 See also7 References8 External links
Background
The Bhagavad Gita gives a summary of the karma yoga process.[1] The Gita itself is a chapter from theepic known as Mahabharata, wherein a dialogue takes place between the prince Arjuna, and his friend andchariot driver, Lord Krishna, on the brink of a great dynastic war. Their conversation is prompted byArjuna as he is engulfed by sorrow and misgivings regarding the oncoming battle in which he has friendsand relatives on both sides. In reply, Krishna then elucidates upon a number of philosophical yoga systemsand practices (including karma yoga) by/through which he should indeed continue with the fight onrighteous principles.
Concept
The word karma is derived from the Sanskrit kri, meaning 'to do'. In its most basic sense karma simplymeans action, and yoga translates to union. Thus karma yoga literally translates to the path of unionthrough action. However, in Vedantic philosophy the word karma means both action and the effects ofsuch action. Karma yoga is described as a way of acting, thinking and willing by which one orients oneselftoward realization by acting in accordance with one's duty (dharma) without consideration of personal selfcentered desires, likes or dislikes. One acts without being attached to the fruits of one's deeds.
11/12/2013 Karma yoga - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Krishna explains that work done without selfish expectations purifies one's mind and gradually makes anindividual fit to see the value of reason. He states that it is not necessary to remain in external solitude, orremain actionless, in order to practice a spiritual life, since the state of action or inaction is primarilydetermined in the mind.
Quotations from the Gita
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says:
"tasmad asaktah satatam karyam karma samacara asakto hy acaran karma
param apnoti purushah"
Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty,for by working without attachment one attains the Supreme.[2]
Krishna then goes on to describe how Arjuna should surrender the fruits of his actions (good or bad) tohim, Krishna, (as the Supreme Person or avatar) :
Therefore, O Arjuna, surrendering all your works unto Me, with full knowledge of Me,without desires for profit, with no claims to proprietorship, and free from lethargy, fight.[3]
Another important quotations from the Bhagavad Gita which elucidates karma yoga is "योगः कमस कौशल॥"(yoga is skill in karma.).
Surrendering action: sattvika vs tamasika tyaga
Any conscious action is motivated by some expectation about the outcome, yet one is to be careful to notlet this expectation be selfish in a certain sense. This is accomplished by surrendering ownership of actionto Krishna. This surrender is called sAttvika tyAga (to contrast it with tAmasika tyAga or abandoningaction itself as Arjuna was about to).
Sattvika tyaga ritual
The Shrivaishnava tradition formalizes this by recommending the chanting of a shlOka prior (also calledSattvika tyaga) to the performance of any such significant karma. This shloka (using ITRANS), with itsmeaning is given below:
bhagavAn eva svaniyAmya svasheShabhUtena mayA
svaArAdhanaekaprayojanAya idam <name of the karma>
svasmai svaprItyai svayam eva kArayati.
This translates to:
The auspicious deity, exerting control on himself, using me (his other part) as an instrument,himself effects <name of the karma>, with his pleasure/ worship being the only purpose.
The same shloka may be repeated after the performance of the action, except one replaces kArayati tokArayitavAn to indicate past tense.
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Other mantras
The common refrain "सव शरीकणापणमत॥" is used for the same effect. There is also the following shloka:
कायन वाचा मनसिदरयवा ।
बयामना वा परकितवभावात ।
करोिम यत सकल परम ।
नारायणयित समपयािम ॥
which translates to:
Whatever I perform with my body, speech, mind, limbs, intellect or my inner self, eitherintentionally or unintentionally, I dedicate it to that Supreme Lord Narayana.
Karma
Main article: Karma
As with a number of other philosophies in Hinduism, karma yoga is based on a general understanding ofkarma and reincarnation (sanskara). It is believed that a man is born with certain tendencies (Sanskaras),both positive and negative, from his previous lives, which push him toward performing certain actions inhis present one. This process continues until the individual attains a zero balance (no karma remaining),wherein one achieves liberation.
Schools of thought
Shankaracharya says by practicing karma yoga, one's mind gets purified.[4][citation needed]
Alternative interpretation of Karma (Karm)
Dharm of each human being is to attain Moksh (realize the true nature of Aatma which is Parmaatma).Moksh frees Aatma from cycle of being born in various life forms (Each life form has to go through acycle of birth old age death). Refer to Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta Chapter 240, 1846 to 1847, 241, 427. The true Karm is to implement the process of Yagnya. Refer to Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta Chapter 38to 39. Anything other than Yagnyarth Karm is bondage of this world Sansar Bandhan (AnyatraLokoyam Karm Bandhanah). The Karm is the one that frees us from Ashubh (that is Sansar Bandhan) –Mokshase Ashubhaat Refer to Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta, Chapter 416. The process of Yagnya is YogSadhana. Refer to Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta, Chapter 5 and 6. Thus, only Yog Sadhana frees us fromSansar Bandhan and helps us to achieve Moksh. Anything else that we do in the world is due to our innernature based on Tamo Goon, Rajo Goon and Sattva Goon. Anything other than Yog Sadhana generatesKaam (desires), Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed), Mad (Pride), Moh (attachment) and Matsar (jealousy). Thegoal of Yog Sadhana Karm is to conquer Kaam (desires), Krodh (anger), Lobh (greed), Mad (Pride), Moh(attachment) and Matsar (jealousy) enemies of human being. Yog also means realization of true nature ofAatma that is Parmaatma. [5]
See also
11/12/2013 Karma yoga - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma_Yoga 4/4
Flow (psychology)JapaTrul khor
References
1. ^ Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the BhagavadGita, a New Translation and Commentary, Chapter 16. PenguinBooks, 1969, p 131 (v 45), p 144 (v.51), p 149150 (v.54)
2. ^ Chapter 3, Text 19 (http://bhagavadgitaasitis.com/3/19/en1), Bhagavad Gita3. ^ Chapter 3, Text 30 (http://bhagavadgitaasitis.com/3/30/en1), Bhagavad Gita4. ^ http://www.yoginirmalendu.com/Types_Of_Yoga/Karma_Yoga/Karma_Yoga.html5. ^ http://yatharthgeeta.com/download/pdf/english_geeta/
External links
KarmaYoga Chapter in BhagavadGita (http://bhagavadgitaasitis.com/3/en1)Karma Yoga and Mind (http://www.amazon.com/KarmaYogaMindSeriesebook/dp/B00DU2ESHQ)
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