KARMA SANYASA RENUNCIATION OF ACTION

 

 

 

 

As spiritual awakening is kindled in Arjuna, he becomes more and more inquisitive. More doubts assail his mind and he needs clarification for them. Arjuna is baffled by the conflicting statements of the Lord who recommends performance of Karma in one place and non performance at another place! Arjuna wants to know which of the two is better--Karma or renunciation of Kama otherwise called as Karma Sanyasa. Concentration on 'Jnana' can bring about ' non action' or karma sanyasa according to the Adwaita School. The Dwaita School interprets Arjuna's question as asking whether Sanyasa or family life is better. According to sri Ramakrishna renunciation is akin to fighting the enemy in the open field while family life is like fighting the enemy from the trenches! Sanyasa or asceticism is of two kinds. 1 Bahya Sanyasa or outward asceticism----- changes in mere appearance and 2  Manasika sanyasam--inner detachment from worldly things which is the best for family people.The person should be non attached  like the drop of water on the lotus leaf. The former is recommended for ascetics while the latter is for all. Bahya Sanyasa  imposes certain restrictions on the person and leads him to the real path of bhakti or devotion,
              The Lord replies, " Arjuna, both the asramas grant salvation provided you act properly. The house holder or grihastha should have an element of self denial or renunciation. He has to conquer lust and anger and surrender himself to God. Jnani should realize that God is the lord of all sensory organs and without HIs will even a blade of grass cannot move. A  Karma yogi, without expecting any reward, acts in consonance with his mind  and sensory organs and achieves purity of heart. Such people are called " Yukthas"--those with yoga. The body is like a town or city with nine gates. The individual Soul or Jiva resides there The body is only his kavacha or  protective armour. Jivatma and paramatma are different!
                Krishna continued, " Treat  joy and sorrow that result from your past karma as equal. God is an impartial judge and grants joy and sorrow according to our good and bad karma. Jnana is the ingrdient of the atma. Karma and bhakti remove the ignorance surrounding atma due to past deeds."  Arjuna is very smart. He says that he will give away his past karma to his wife and children. Krishna replies that his karma cannot be passed on to his wife or children. He has to experience the fruits of his action - good or bad.The wife shares half the fruits of his good karma while all her sins visit upon him!  He has to share the sins of his children also!
                 Krishna points out that a Jnani is one who treats all creatures equally----a vedic scholar,  the holy cow,  the elephant ((rajasa guna), the dog (thamasa guna), and the chandala of low caste. Is this practically possible? Commentators have suggested that " Bhavadwaita" is better than " Kriyadwaita" Bhaktas and Jnanis  see god in every object of creation. Sankara says that  "Bhavadwaita" is the most important necessity at present!  What the Lord says is " Sama darshana" not " Sama varthana" A man cannot treat his wife,daughter and daughter in law alike. one may do all social service consistent with his varnasrama dharma. The Lord says, " whoever looks upon all human beings as equal realizes Brahman, gets freedom from births and deaths and realizes Moksha or emancipation They are also' jivanmukthas'- liberated even in this life"
        

         Sensing that Arjuna is still dissatisfied, the Lord asserts Himself and says, " I am the director of all this Universe! All offerings to Gods--' havya and kavyas and their fruits should be offered to me. Realize I am the protector of all creatures. Be enlightened and accomplish your Dharma as a kshatriya! Be in perfect peace