Karma Sanyasa Yoga: Shlokas 10 to 13
If you have not already done so, I would request you to review the Chapter 4, Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga before studying chapter 5 as that would help set the right context.
You can find the explanation of the previous set of shlokas, 5 to 9 of chapter 5 here. Please go through that to get a better understand and maintain continuity in your learning.
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Practice detachment like a lotus leaf
In 5.10, Shri Krishna says that “One who performs their duty by dedicating their actions to the divine, abandoning attachment, remains unaffected by sin, just as a lotus leaf remains untouched by water.“
Shri Krishna speaks about a few key terms here: Dedicating Actions to the Divine (ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि / brahmaṇyādhāya karmāni): This means dedicating to the Divine or Brahman. In the current context, Lord Krishna emphasizes the importance of performing actions as an offering to the Supreme. When one dedicates their actions to the divine, they are not seeking personal gains or rewards. This attitude transforms ordinary actions into sacred actions. It’s a shift from “I am doing this” to “It’s being done through me by the divine will.”
Abandoning Attachment (सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा / saṅgaṁ tyaktvā): This translates to “abandoning attachment.” Attachment here refers to the outcomes of our actions. In life, we often get attached to the results of our endeavors, leading to either elation when things go our way or disappointment when they don’t. Krishna advises that while one should be dedicated to their duty, they should remain detached from the fruits of their actions. This detachment ensures mental equilibrium, irrespective of success or failure.
Unaffected by Sin (लिप्यते न स पापेन / lipyate na sa pāpena): This means “remains unaffected by sin.” When actions are performed with selflessness, without ego and attachment, they don’t accumulate karma, neither good nor bad. Such actions are pure, and the individual remains untainted.
पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा / padma patra mivāmbhasā: Shri Krishna compares such individuals to a lotus leaf in water. A lotus leaf, though born in water, floats on it without getting wet. Similarly, a self-realized person, though living in the material world, remains untouched by its dualities and temptations. The lotus leaf symbolizes purity and detachment, and its relationship with water exemplifies the ideal interaction one should have with the world around them.
In many Vedic traditions, the lotus is given a special status. For example, we call the Lord’s feet as lotus-feet (kamal-charan). The Lotus grows in muddy ponds and still manages to be pure and bright. Thus, the lotus flower is often used in Sanskrit literature as an example of what we should strive to be, born in the material world but still maintaining purity of thought and actions and striving to grow spiritually.
Another great quality of the lotus flower and leaves is that, although it is born and grows in water, it does not let water make it wet. No matter how much water you pour on the lotus leaves, not a single drop sticks to it. In the past, villagers would use lotus leaves as plates because of this quality of it being waterproof. There is a saying that no matter how stormy the weather is and how turbulent the waves of the ocean are, the boat will sink only when it lets the water enter inside it. The lotus is a great example from nature which lives by this quality of not letting water enter it, wet it or drown it.
Shree Krishna says that just like the lotus leaf, the nishkama karma yogis remain untouched by sin, although performing all kinds of duties and actions, because they perform their actions in divine consciousness, as per the instructions of the Lord. That should be our goal. And we need to perform our actions with the sole purpose of purifying our heart and mind. As discussed earlier, our goal should be to purify our mind, intellect and senses.
This verse provides profound wisdom on the art of living. It teaches that one can be in the world, actively participating in its myriad activities, and yet remain untouched by its challenges and temptations. By dedicating actions to the divine and relinquishing attachment to outcomes, one can navigate life with grace, equanimity, and inner peace. The essence is not about renouncing actions but about performing them with the right attitude. Such an approach transforms life into a sacred journey, where every action becomes an offering, and every moment becomes an opportunity for spiritual growth.
Importance of self-purification
You may wonder why self-purification and such a mindset is so important. Any guesses?
Look at it this way. What is it that you can offer to God which He doesn’t already own? You will realize that there is just nothing that we own, everything already belongs to God. The only exception is our purity and love. That God has left to us. That is our free will to strive to be and become pure and loving. So the only thing we can actually offer God is our purity and our love. That is why it should be our ultimate goal in life.
Now you may understand why Krishna played all those Leelas. Why he had to take part in all the drama between Pandavas and Kauravas and why he had to actually drive a chariot and lead Arjuna into war. If Krishna wanted, he could have just destroyed the entire kaurava army without even lifting a finger. However, he wanted to give all the righteous people the opportunity to engage in the dharmic war, perform nishkama karma and get a chance to purify themselves.
The same holds true for Lord Rama, who himself told Sugreeva that “If I, the Supreme Lord, merely bend the little finger of My left hand, what to speak of Ravana or Kumbhakaran, all the demons in the world will die.” Sugreev responded, “If that is the case, my Lord, then in order to kill Ravana, what is the need for collecting this army?” The Lord replied, “That is merely to give you all the opportunity to engage in devotional service for your own purification. However, do not assume that I need your help in annihilating these demons.”
We discussed back in chapter 2 that the only asset we carry forward to our next lives is our spiritual progress. And purity is the foundation of our spiritual progress.
The city of nine gates
Shri Krishna says that a true yogi is not someone who necessarily renounces the world and its duties but someone who performs actions without attachment, ego, or desire for rewards. The renunciation is internal, in the mind and attitude, rather than external.
Such a person is not swayed by external circumstances or internal emotions and remains steady and content in all situations. Shri Krishna uses the term नवद्वारे पुरे देही (navadvāre pure dehī), which means the “nine-gated city”. It is a metaphor for the human body. The nine gates refer to the two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, one mouth, the genital, and the anus. The “embodied soul” or “dehī” is the true self or Atman that resides within this body.
Even though the yogi might be actively involved in various activities, they understand that the true self (Atman) is beyond all actions. The Atman neither performs actions nor instigates others to act. All actions are performed by the body and mind, while the true self remains a detached observer. While their body and mind may be engaged in various activities, the self-realized individual understands that their true nature, the Atman, is beyond all actions and remains untouched by them. Such an individual performs duties with a sense of detachment, without getting entangled in the results or outcomes.
This understanding leads to inner peace, contentment, and true freedom. Shri Krishna emphasizes the importance of mental renunciation and the right attitude towards action, rather than mere physical renunciation. He teaches that one can be actively involved in the world, fulfilling their responsibilities, and yet remain untouched by the dualities of joy and sorrow, success and failure.
Krishna has said that we should not have a sense of ownership or doership. Then the question arises whether God is the actual cause of everything that happens in the world?
This is answered in the next set of verses, 14 to 17. Stay tuned!
kṛṣṇadaasa
Servant of Krishna
Aka +Vinayak Raghuvamshi