On August 1st, 2014 Swamiji covered Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled: Karma Yoga
Krishna explains how Karma yoga, i.e. performance of prescribed duties, but without attachment to results, is the appropriate course of action.
General topics covered in the Chapter:
- Why one should serve others?
- To help each other is the first commandment of the creator
- Leaders should set an example
- Two enemies on the path of perfection (likes and dislikes)
Excerpt commentary from Swamiji:
20
karmaṇaiva hi saṃsiddhim
āsthitā janakādayaḥ
loka saṅgraham-evāpi
saṃpaśyan kartum arhasi
Verily, by Karma Yoga alone did Janaka and others reached perfection. Indeed, you should act, bearing in mind the welfare of the world.
“Krishna said, ‘Look there were great souls, great personalities in this world who have done their duty without being attached to it. Take for example Janaka – the father of Sita – he did his kingly duty but he was not attached to his action and didn't have any personal aim.’
Here, He was telling Arjuna, ‘Awake my dear! You must continue to perform your duty like all these great heroes, these great saints. They have reached perfection in their very life. You don't need ten lives for that, only one life. You just need complete surrender, the willingness of surrendering has to be there! If these people have achieved this state, it is also possible for you to achieve it.’
Mahavatar Babaji gave the Kriya for Realization, for you to move from the state of just being a human into the Divine State. Krishna is bearing in mind the welfare of the world saying, ‘Arjuna here you are still looking into the difference. You are still seeing your action as separate, seeing that God is separate from you. I don't want you to see that God is separated from you! I want you to realise, not just to see but realise, that every action of yours it is Me who is doing it.’
It's Narayana, Krishna Himself who is doing this action! Bear it in mind! Make your mind see it! Remind your mind! This is your sadhana: to remind yourself continuously that God is doing everything through you. Until this mind has transformed itself and has changed completely, keep reminding yourself of that! Make the mind focus on the Divine continuously by doing your japa so that every breath that you take – you breathe 21,600 times a day – is a remembrance of the gift of God. Remember that it is Him, the life purpose. As long as you still have this ego identity keep reminding the mind continuously of that.”
Here, He was telling Arjuna, ‘Awake my dear! You must continue to perform your duty like all these great heroes, these great saints. They have reached perfection in their very life. You don't need ten lives for that, only one life. You just need complete surrender, the willingness of surrendering has to be there! If these people have achieved this state, it is also possible for you to achieve it.’
Mahavatar Babaji gave the Kriya for Realization, for you to move from the state of just being a human into the Divine State. Krishna is bearing in mind the welfare of the world saying, ‘Arjuna here you are still looking into the difference. You are still seeing your action as separate, seeing that God is separate from you. I don't want you to see that God is separated from you! I want you to realise, not just to see but realise, that every action of yours it is Me who is doing it.’
It's Narayana, Krishna Himself who is doing this action! Bear it in mind! Make your mind see it! Remind your mind! This is your sadhana: to remind yourself continuously that God is doing everything through you. Until this mind has transformed itself and has changed completely, keep reminding yourself of that! Make the mind focus on the Divine continuously by doing your japa so that every breath that you take – you breathe 21,600 times a day – is a remembrance of the gift of God. Remember that it is Him, the life purpose. As long as you still have this ego identity keep reminding the mind continuously of that.”
Testimony:
"Swami is always talking about God in a different point of view. Even if you don't understand it one way, if you stay focused you will hear it in another way that you can understand. He always keeps the attention, flow and energy high. It was very enjoyable." - Michelle, Austria
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Sri Swami Vishwananda has decided to give commentary on the Shreemad Bhagavad Gita, the eternal Word of Lord Sri Krishna. It will take place over 18 consecutive days, and each day will cover one chapter. Guruji will give his commentary with a particular Bhakti perspective.
For now, we will provide a small portion of the commentary on this blog for those who could not attend the course. At a later stage, we will offer the full length of the Gita commentary as a book and also as CD and DVD sets.