Elaborating on karma yoga, Krishna declares that one who lives in the Self has no use for any Karma or duty. He is not affected by the non performance of any duty. Unless one reaches this stage he has to perform his duties. Krishna urges Arjuna to do his duty without expectation of any reward. " Jnanis are of two types", the Lord tells Arjuna ' Those who go far from the madding crowd, live in the forest and meditate on the Self. They do notaffect others either by action or non action. The second type need not do any action as they are ideals for others in performing their duties". King Janaka despite being an intellectual continued performing his duties! When sage Yajnavalkya created a fire to test his disciple Janaka, he was unperturbed and declared that he was meditating on the Self but not not bothered about the burning city Mithila!
The Lord says that the elderly should be cautious in their actions since people follow them. " There is nothing in the three worlds that I need. But I perform my duty!" says Krishna to Arjuna. " People follow the evil in others but not the good. Both the Jnani and the ignorant require karma or action. " If karma is recommended for both, what difference is there in their methods?" questions Arjuna. Krishna replies that Jnani need not perform karma but he should not spoil others by his non action. "He should act perfectly and set an example to others. The ignorant is under the illusion that he is intimately connected with worldly things. But the Jnani is unaffected with mundane affairs. He surrenders every thing worldly and spiritual to me without ego and attachment and not expecting any return. Such people are saved by me from all cares & anxieties"explains Krishna to Arjuna!
Arjuna raises a relevant doubt. " If all actions are predetermined by past karma what is the use of controlling our actions?" Krishna replies that control over one self reduces the speed of action. Sensory organs lead man astray to hatrsd, anger and enjoyment.They are very strong enemies of man Arjuna wants to Know what causes man to do what he does not want and forces him to do what he desires. " Desire and anger are man's inveterate enemies. They are caused by RajoGuna. They are insatiable They force man to commit more sins", replies Krishna.
The Lord continues, " Three types of people exist in the world. The Sathwiks are the best. The Rajasiks are moderate and the Thamasiks are the worst. All the three are subject to Anger and Desire but in varying degrees.Like smoke that is blown away by the wind Anger & Dsire are repulsed by the Sathwiks. The second type are like a dirty mirror with dense dust that cannot be cleansed in a single birth. In the third worst type Anger and Desire are inextricably intertwined like the layer in the womb of the mother They can never get salvation without Divine Grace" The entry points of Anger and Desire are the mind and intellect. you have to control them in the beginning itself. It is through theoretical and practical knowledge one can control them. Understand these aspects properly and fix your mind on the Absolute Self!" concluded Krishna.
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