The "process" of Karma Yoga - Part 1

Having discussed the importance of YOGA (vs. Bhoga) or the Karma Yoga in particular, Let me explain the two distinct phases of practice of the "karma yoga".

In the first phase, one should give up the attachment to the "result of action"
In the second phase, one should give up the attachment to the "action itself".

So, what is the difference?

While a person is still predominantly "rajasic" (active) in nature, it is just next to impossible to leave the attachment to action. He will be compelled into the action by his own nature of activity. That is the reason, one should never try to renounce action at once.

So, as the first phase, the attachment to the fruits of action should be abandoned.
The seeker continue to perform the action (without "pramada" = without causing harm to himself or the environment) and the results are sacrificed to the LORD. (sacrificing means not getting attached to the success or failure. Taking both the success and failure in the endeavors equally by performing action as service to the LORD)

INSTRUCTION 8:
एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे।
कर्मजान्विद्धि तान्सर्वानेवं ज्ञात्वा विमोक्ष्यसे।।4.32।।
ēvaṅ bahuvidhā yajñā vitatā brahmaṇō mukhē.
karmajānviddhi tānsarvānēvaṅ jñātvā vimōkṣyasē..4.32..

Having performed different kinds of sacrifices (by skillfully performing ones own duties as service to the LORD) one clearly understands "ALL THIS WORLD is born and sustained out of KARMA - action". Having "known thus" he will be freed from action.

HOW?

श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप।
सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते।।4.33।।
śrēyāndravyamayādyajñājjñānayajñaḥ parantapa.
sarvaṅ karmākhilaṅ pārtha jñānē parisamāpyatē..4.33

Karma yoga has two aspects, the result of action and the knowledge born out of performing the action. This knowledge born out of karma yoga is as follows:
"all the work (without any exception) ends only in the experienced knowledge"

At this stage a person becomes a "jignasu" or one who is interested in the "true knowledge of self" and the rajasic attitude will naturally turn into the sattvic predominance of illuminating nature.

Then lord declares:
न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते।
तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विन्दति।।4.38।।
na hi jñānēna sadṛśaṅ pavitramiha vidyatē.
tatsvayaṅ yōgasaṅsiddhaḥ kālēnātmani vindati..4.38..

There is no better "purifier" than jnana (knowledge) known; only through that (jnana) purifier one can gain the knowledge of the self (atma).

Who will gain the knowledge of self and what is the use of gaining such a knowledge?
श्रद्धावाँल्लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः।
ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति।।4.39।।
śraddhāvāomllabhatē jñānaṅ tatparaḥ saṅyatēndriyaḥ.
jñānaṅ labdhvā parāṅ śāntimacirēṇādhigacchati..4.39..

A person with "sraddha" (faith) will gain the knowledge who has conquered the senses (by the means of karma yoga)
Having gained the knowledge (jnanam) of self one reaches the highest peace very quickly.

We will deal with the "phase 2" of Karma Yoga in the next post.

om tat sat