Summary:
Lesson 31 summarizes 2 lifestyles every person MUST choose while living (householder or sannyasi). And 2 spiritual disciplines all seekers MUST go through (Karma-Yoga & Jnana-Yoga), both leading to Liberation. Aspirant may choose which lifestyle to follow, but may NOT choose which sadhana to follow, because that has already been assigned by scriptures, and will depend upon one's temperament / stage of life.
Topics Covered:
1) Two Types of Lifestyle:
- Gṛhastha-āśrama: Life of a Householder
- Involves active participation in society and the responsibilities of family life.
- One engages in worldly duties while pursuing spiritual growth.
- Sannyāsa-āśrama: Life of a Renunciate
- Involves renouncing possessions and societal roles.
- A withdrawn, contemplative lifestyle focused solely on spiritual pursuit.
These two lifestyles are highlighted in the Bhagavad Gita (3.3): loke asmin dvi-vidhā niṣṭhā purā proktā mayā anagha—”In this world, two paths of commitment were taught by Me in the past.”
Arjuna’s Confusion:
Arjuna is unsure whether the renunciate lifestyle (sannyāsa) is mandatory for liberation (moksha). This question is raised at the beginning of Chapter 5, where Krishna clarifies that sannyasa-ashrama is NOT compulsory for liberation. One can attain liberation through either lifestyle, depending on personal inclination.
Personal Choice:
Each individual has the freedom to choose between the two ashramas based on their temperament and life circumstances. The sooner this choice is made, the better, as indecision can lead to mental agitation and distraction, with the mind constantly wondering, “What if I had chosen the other path?”
Which āśrama is Better?
Both lifestyles are valid for spiritual growth. However, for the majority, the grhastha-asrama is more suitable. Human relationships and social responsibilities often provide emotional stability, which can support a peaceful mind conducive to contemplation and self-inquiry.
In summary, the path to liberation is not determined by external lifestyle but by the inner attitude and commitment to self-knowledge (jñāna).
2) Two Types of Spiritual Disciplines all Seekers Must Pass: (NO CHOICE! Scripture Decide)
Misconception: Multiple Paths Lead to Liberation
It is often misunderstood that various paths like Kundalini Yoga, Tantra, or Karma Yoga can independently lead to liberation (mokṣa). This is false. According to the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita, Jñāna-Yoga alone leads to liberation. Why? Because no action can reveal what is already true—Brahman (the Self). Because each action is limited. And a limited action can only produce a limited result. For example if action (like meditation) lasts 25 years, it can only produce 25 years worth of results. And yet the Self is limitless. Liberation is not something to be produced (through action); it is the recognition that “I am already free.” This realization can only come through knowledge (Jñāna), not through action.
For example, if an artist forgets that a pencil is tucked behind her ear, no amount of meditation, worship, or rituals will reveal the pencil. She must be told that it is already there. Similarly, no action can reveal the Ātman (Self); only knowledge can.
No Choice in Sadhana (Spiritual Discipline)
Just as a child cannot discern what is best for its overall growth and needs parental guidance, a spiritual seeker (who is ignorant of their true nature) cannot decide what is best for their liberation. The ego, clouded by ignorance, is not equipped to guide itself toward the Ātman. Therefore, the ego must surrender to the authority of the shastra (scriptures) and a competent teacher (guru).
Many seekers resist this surrender due to a rebellious attitude, often cultivated through spiritual pride or dissatisfaction with societal norms. This rebellion extends to the scriptures, leading to endless searching—hopping from one practice to another, one video to the next. This resistance is the primary obstacle preventing liberation for even the most sincere seekers.
Message: Surrender all personal beliefs and opinions to the authority of scriptures, whose purpose is to reveal that I and Existence are not two.
The Two Disciplines: Karma-Yoga and Jnana-Yoga
Everyone must follow Karma-Yoga (for mind purification) and then Jnana-Yoga (for liberation). This is the order, whether one likes it or not. Each discipline serves a distinct purpose, and one cannot substitute for the other.
3) Karma-Yoga Summary (Verse 7-12):
Essence of Karma Yoga is: Proper Attitude + Proper Action
Proper Action:
1. niṣkāma / sāttvic-karmāṇi: Actions contribute to max purity to spiritual progress. Selfless action: beneficiaries are more. But also includes actions that help undo your mental distortions and sense of “mine”. Such as charity, doing something for the community, others… rather then just focusing on me, me, me.
2. Sakāma / rāga-karmāṇi: Selfish actions, where beneficiaries are minimum. Usually includes: Me + My family. Produces LIMITED spiritual progress, or no progress at all.
3. Tamasa / niṣīdati-karmāṇi: Harmful actions. I get much benefit, society is harmed by my actions. Leads to spiritual regression.
Proper Attitude:
In Karma-Yoga, the key is to perform all actions as an offering to the Lord (Īśvara). This attitude shifts the focus from the small, individual self to something greater than oneself. By dedicating actions to the Lord, one acknowledges that life is not just about personal likes and dislikes.
Why is This Important?
The primary obstacle to spiritual growth is the agitation of the mind caused by raga-dvesha (likes and dislikes). These mental disturbances prevent the mind from being calm and focused, which is essential for Jnana-Yoga (self-knowledge) to work.
How to Eliminate Likes and Dislikes?
By adopting the Karma-Yoga attitude—performing selfless actions (nishkama / sattvic-karmas) with the right mindset. As long as actions are driven by personal desires, rāga-dveṣa is strengthened, which continues to force your mind on things that bring immediate gratification. The solution is to shift from selfish actions to selfless actions, where the focus is on contributing to the greater good rather than personal gain.
Prasāda-Buddhi: Graceful Acceptance of Results
Whatever the outcome of your actions, accept it with prasada-buddhi—the attitude of receiving it as a gift from the Lord. This mindset is rooted in the understanding that every experience in life is the result of one's own past causes thrown into the field. The motto is: “Whatever I get, I deserve.”
When faced with unpleasant situations, avoid asking, “Why me?” This question implies that Bhagavān (the Lord) is being unjust. Instead, say: “Lord, I understand that what I am experiencing is the result of my own past actions, whether I remember them or not. Please give me the strength to learn from this and evolve into a better person so I can serve You even more.”
Result of Karma-Yoga:
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- The mind becomes spiritually oriented and less attached to materialistic pursuits.
- Rāga-dveṣa weakens, and the mind becomes more peaceful and focused.
- Interest in shastra (scriptures) grows from casual curiosity to a wholehearted commitment to self-inquiry and spiritual growth.
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4) Jñāna-Yoga (Verse 13-21)
- What is Jnana-Yoga? Systematic and consistent study of scriptures, for length of time, under guidance of competent acharya (teacher).
- Benefit of result of Jnana-Yoga (Brahma-vidya / atma-jnanam / Self-knowledge): You come to recognize your immortal, limitless nature.
- What is Consciousness / Awareness?
- Not part, property, product of body-mind.
- It IS independent principle which pervades and enlivens the body-mind.
- Not limited by boundaries of body-mind.
- All pervading. For example, throughout the ocean, and all of it's waves (equated to jivas), where can you NOT find the water (H2O)? Nowhere. The whole of wave (body-mind) is pervaded by the water (Consciousness). This is why you can never be away from yourself.
- Consciousness IS your Awareness, which is exactly the same Awareness of all entities in creation including animals/insects/plants.
- Consciousness survives and continues to exist AFTER fall of body.
- Being all pervading (like space), it's free from all actions. For example, in presence of space, all actions take place within space and because of space.
- One light (compared to Consciousness) shines on all objects in room. Objects do actions. Light is not involved in the objects nor the results of object's interactions. In that same way, Consciousness (your true nature), being free of the doer/enjoyer, which is done by the intertwining of the 3 bodies, is free from punya/papa generated by the 3 bodies. So what has punya/papa? The 3 bodies, not consciousness (self).
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Recorded 8 Jan, 2019