Bhagavad Gita 1

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3
KARMA YOGA
Connection between Chapter 2 and 3

 In 2.49, Krishna tells Arjuna

o To keep all Abominable activities far distant by Buddhi-yoga
 Arjuna thinks that buddhi means intelligence
o By using his intelligence, he should avoid all abominable activities and thus, not fight
o Still Krishna is urging him to fight.
 Chapter 3 start with Arjuna’s question to clarify this contradictory instructions.
 According to Arjuna (Renunciation) Jnana and Work are incompatible.

SECTION I – RENUNCIATION OR WORK (3.1 – 3.2)

 Arjuna asks if it is better to be situated in knowledge or to work, as if two were
opposed to each other.

SECTION II – NISKAMA-KARMA YOGA (3.3 – 3.9)

 Work combined with Knowledge and Detachment
 Offer the fruit of the work for the satisfaction of Krishna
 Niskama karma Yoga allows the Soul (active by nature) to be purified through
detached activities.

SECTION III - FROM KARMA KANDA TO KARMA-YOGA (3.10 – 3.16)

 If one cannot perform detached, dutiful work; it is better to follow Karma Kanda
section of Vedas
 But do it for Krishna’s pleasure (All the sacrifices, etc.)

SECTION IV – NISKAMA-KARMA TO SET CORRECT EXAMPLE (3.17 – 3.35)

 Dutifully acting without attachment sets the correct example for others, who are less
advanced

SECTION V – BEWARE OF LUST AND ANGER (3.36 – 3.43)

 They foil one’s performance of duty, and incur sin.
 Regulate Senses and Strengthen Intelligence to control Lust

Breakdown of Chapter 3

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SECTION I (TEXT 3.1 – 3.2)

Renunciation or Work

Text 3.1 – 3.2

THEME: Arjuna is confused

 Based on 2.49, Arjuna doubts the compatibility of Karma (Duty of fighting) & Jnana (Buddhi –
yoga based on knowledge of soul) and requests for the one conclusive path.

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.1 – 3.2

a) Krishna Consciousness often misused as an excuse to avoid duty or

misunderstood to be Inertia (3.1)
b) Sincere student places the doubt before master to elicit best course of action
(3.1)
c) Arjuna clears apparently confusing path of Chapter 2 for serious students of
Bhagavad Gita.

Text 3.3 – 3.9

THEME: Defects in the Desire to Renounce Prescribed Duty

 The “Active Nature of Soul”

 Inactivity is not an option available.
 So it is advised to perform our activities in a way that they are directed towards self –
purification and self – realization.
 Self-Purification & Self–realization are the purposes of performing prescribed duties.

Text 3.3

THEME: Basic Explanation

 2.39 explained two processes

o Sankhya-yoga or analytical study (based on jnana) ;
o Karma yoga or buddhi yoga which involves activities or karma.
 But the right understanding is that “karma stage” & “Jnana stage” are two rungs on the same
yoga ladder depending on one’s “nistha” [Nistha is the word used in 3.3, it means purity of
heart or level of faith]

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 Karma stage is the platform at which work is recommended and Jnana stage is the platform
when one is sufficiently purified & detached to renounce work.
 Future verses explain
o Premature renunciation performed before sufficient purification at the karma stage, will
neither bring purification nor liberation

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.3

a) It compares the two path of

 Sankhya yoga or philosophical speculation, and
 Buddhi – yoga or Direct Krishna Consciousness [Relationship between
Two process]

b) Ultimate Goal is Krishna.

c) Purpose is establish Real Position of Self with the Super self.

d) Religion without philosophy is “sentiment / Fanaticism” and, Philosophy

without Religion is “Mental Speculation” thus, they are Interdependent.

COMPARISION OF SANKHYA-YOGA & BUDDHI-YOGA

S. NO PHILOSOPHICAL SPECULATION BUDDHI - YOGA
DIRECT PATH
1 A process of directly connecting the
INDIRECT PATH level of our activity or karma for the
purpose of Krishna consciousness.
DEPENDENCE ON PERSONAL DEPENDENCE ON KRISHNA’S MERCY
2 ENDEAVOUR
Meant for preserve who want to A process of depending Entirely on
understand things by experimental Supreme (as per 2.61), and does not
knowledge and philosophy on one’s depend one’s own limited capacity of
own limited capacity. sense control, purity to advance.
Therefore it is better and Easy.
UNSURE OF SUCCESS SURETY OF SUCCESS
3 May never reach the highest rung of There is surety of success because
ladder which is to attain Krishna’s strength is Given by Mercy of Krishna

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mercy, and Vaishnavas, thus one is easily

relieved from bonds of action (2.39)
and there is no flow in the
process(2.40) of Buddhi-yoga.
INITIAL PURIFICATION REQUIRED ENDS AND MEANS ARE THE SAME
4 BY PRESCRIBED DUTY
A Gradual path of Purification of Senses Krishna consciousness is itself the
by Philosophical Process purificatory process

Text 3.4 – 3.9

THEME: Premature Renunciation of prescribed duties will neither lead to freedom from reaction
(Purification of heart) nor Perfection (Success or Liberation) – No benefit Achieved

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.4 – 3.9

a) Purpose of “prescribed Duties” – To purify the hearty of Materialistic men”

b) “Refutation of Empiric Philosophers that by adopting Sannyasa one becomes

“As Good as Narayana”
 Disadvantage of Sannyasa without purification
o Disturbance to Social order
o No Success & No Freedom From reaction.

c) Srila Prabhupada links it to the Power of Buddhi-Yoga – Even little endeavor in

transcendental service of Lord directly purifies and saves one form greatest
difficulties (2.40)

Text 3.5

THEME:

 Soul is always ACTIVE

 Premature sanyasa is harmful / sets criteria when to take sanyasa
 Premature Renunciation is harmful because Soul is always active
o Either it has to be engaged in service of Krishna or
o Under illusory energy where it may acquire 3 modes

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 Depending on the kind of modes one is affected by, sastras presents different prescribed
duties
o to purify us from affinity of modes
o to bring us to the level of jnana, with the knowledge of difference between body
and soul
 Then one can take sannyasa.

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FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.5

a) “Ultimate purpose of all purificatory processes / Sanyasa etc is to reach to the

point of becoming Krishna Conscious (Ref. SB 1.5.17)
b) Therefore contact with Krishna (through contact with devotee) at any step of
yoga ladder will speed up the process of purification.

Text 3.6

THEME: Describes “An unfortunate Renunciant” who renounces without purification

 Defines PRETENDER or “MITHYACARAH” – restrains senses of action but minds dwells on sense
objects

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.6 - Focus on characteristic of such pretenders

a) Make of show of yogic meditation – “of no value”

b) May speak dry philosophy – to bluff sophisticated followers.
c) It is of no value because “Mind is Impure”, dwelling upon sense enjoyment.
d) His knowledge has no value – Effect of such a sinful man knowledge are taken
away by Illusory Energy of Lord
e) They are “Greatest cheaters”

Text 3.7

THEME: Appreciates a “Sincere Dutiful Householder” to be better than “Attached or Mithacarah

Sannyasi”

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.7

a) What is Prime Svartha-Gati / Goal of Self Interest

 To REACH VISHNU = To be free from material bonds and enter Gods Kingdom
b) Purpose of “Varna-asrama” – Designed to lead one gradually to this goal
c) “Sincerity” means
 live a controlled life based on sastras &
 Carry out your business without attachment
d) Sincere sweeper is better than charlatan mediator

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Text 3.8
THEME: Recommends Arjuna that his prescribed duty as ksatriya is “Fighting or Work” and not
“renunciation”, as per discussion in 2.47 “Karmany evadhi karas te.”

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.8

a) Prescribed duties are meant to cleanse of heart

b) What is the heart’s contamination – “Desire to lord over material nature or sense
gratification
c) “Renunciation for the purpose of maintenance of body and soul is condemned in this
verse

PERSONAL APPLICATION OF 3.6 – 3.8

WE SHOULD ALWAYS ACT ACCORDING TO OUR LEVEL OR POSITION AND NEVER TRY TO IMITATE HIGHER
LEVELS, WITHOUT PURIFICATION, AS PER THE GUIDANCE OF GURU, SADHU & SASTRA.

Link Between 3.8 & 3.9

Arjuna wanted to avoid work out of fear that he will develop material attachments and desires and
especially he fears the reaction that follows this work. Lord speaks 3.9 to differentiate ordinary
entangling work from Karma – Yoga, which carries one to liberation.

Text 3.9

THEME: Work for Satisfaction of Vishnu is a Means of Liberation from All Bondages.

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.9

a) Meaning of yajna – Lord Vishnu or Sacrificial Performance

 Vedas : “yajna vai visnu” – “Purpose of Sacrifice” Pleasure of Vishnu
 Goal of Varnasrama – Satisfaction of Vishnu (Vishnu – Purrana)
b) Krishna Consciousness is process of Yajna as per this verse
c) “Work in Krishna Consciousness” – “An art of doing work which requires expert
Guidance”
d) “How to Act” – Diligently and Under Expert Guidance of a Devotee
e) Benefit of such action
 Freedom from reaction
 While performing one is in liberated state
 Gradual Elevation to Love of God
 Entrance into Kingdom of God.

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CONCLUSION: 3.9 elevates the Niskama Karma of 3.3 to 3.8 to the Level of Bhakti by Including
Knowledge at Vishnu

YOGA LADDER SUMMARISED

A) KARMA-KANDA
 Encourages regulated sense gratification
 Meant to bring general mass of people to the platform of religiosity
 Purifies the practioner by
o Regulation fosters detachment
o Results of Yajna gives him faith in Sastras
o Motivates him to associate with Brahmanas who give higher knowledge
o Gradually Vedas expose him to Jnana and Upasana sections
B) Gradually the practioner finds the futility of material life and makes transcendence as his goal
C) SAKAMA-KARMA-YOGA – Understands transcendence as the goal
 Frustration in material life / Desires purification
 Attempts to renounce fruits of labour
 But attachment to fruits still linger on
D) NISKAMA-KARMA-YOGA – Gives upthe attachment to the fruits of work, but still attached to the
work itself
E) JNANA-YOGA
 Platform of Philosophical enquiry
 Detached from both action and fruit
F) ASTANGA-YOGA
 Achieved when Jnana-yoga elevates to the point of meditation
G) BHAKTI-YOGA
 Can permeate any of the stages mentioned above, but generally not fully manifest till the
deep realisation of Jnana stage (Bahunam janmanam…. 7.19)

SECTION II (3.10 to 3.16)

From Karma-Kanda to Karma-Yoga

Link from 3.9 to 3.10

If a person is too attached to material life, and cannot perform niskama karma–yoga, for them Krishna
describes the yoga ladder from lowest rung and gradually moving higher; from Karma-Kanda to Karma
Yoga.

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Text 3.10

THEME: Krishna explains Vadic karma kanda system: “Live happily and gradually achieve liberation”

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.10

a) “Purpose of material creation”

 A chance offer to conditioned souls to come Back to Godhead
 TO “Learn how to perform yajnas” for satisfaction of Supreme
o to get happiness in material world and
o later enter into kingdom of God

b) Cause of conditioning : Forgetfulness of Relationship with Krishna

c) Purpose of Vedic Principles: To help us understanding this eternal relationship

d) Understanding of the Lord as “Pati”

 Vedic hymns : Patim visvasyatmesvaram
 SB 2.4.20

e) Best yajna in the Age of kali – “Sankirtan Yajna”

Introduced by Lord Caitanya (SB 11.5.32)

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Text 3.11 – 3.12

THEME: How our desire can be fulfilled in material world by Demigod worship

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.11 – 3.12

a) “Who are demigods :

 Empowered administrators of material affairs
 Innumerable assistants in different parts of the body of Supreme personality
of Godhead
 Authorized Supplying Agents on behalf of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead
b) Function of the demigods : (3.11)
 Supply all the benedictions necessary to keep body & soul together
 Pleasure & displeasure depend on the performance of yajna
c) Chief purpose of all Yajnas : Ultimate satisfaction of Yajna – Pati “Vishnu” (3.11)

d) Benefits of “Yajna” (3.11)

 No Scarcity of supply of Natural Products – Happiness in this world
 Side Benefits:
Eatables sanctified Existence Purified  Finer tissues in memory
sanctified Combined lead to Krishna Consciousness
 One can think of path of liberation
e) For whom, sacrifice to demigods is recommended, if ultimate beneficiary is Vishnu:
For one who cannot understand Supreme Personality of Godhead
f) Basis of Different Yajnas : They are recommended based on different modes of
different person
g) Basis of Different Yajnas : They are recommended based on different modes of
different person. Ultimate Goal of all Gradual promotion to
h) “All Material Necessities Come Through Yajna”
 All eatables, Vegetarian and Non-Veg
 Heat, light, water, air etc.
 All manufacturing enterprises
i) Purpose of all these supplies :
j) To keep body and soul together for the Self–realization
k) “Dangers” of NOT PERFORMING YAJNAS
 One is called “THIEF” – Because one forgets the purpose of creation and
takes all the supplies for sense gratification. (3.12)
 Society of Thieves can “never be happy” because they have no aim in life
(3.12)“Gets Sinful Reaction” (3.13)

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Text 3.13

THEME: Devotees freed from all sins and experience Real peace and Happiness

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.13

a) “Definition of Santas : Devotees always in love with lord

Reference : Brahma Samhita 5.38 – Premanjana…)
b) Different Yajnas performed by devotees – different varieties as sravanam
kirtanam…
c) Benefit : Freedom from “Sinful Reaction”
d) “Sankirtana Yajna” : “Easy process To Happiness & Peace” : Because without
Yajna, one is Thief and Sinful, and thus No Happiness.
e) How devotees are freed from sinful reactions – because they eat food first
offered in sacrifice

Link Between 3.13 – 3.14

THEME:

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FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.13 – 3.14

a) If Krishna is satisfied all demigods are satisfied, therefore devotees offer food to
Krishna and thus get freed from all sins.
b) Analogy: Prasadam gives immunity from all material reactions, e.g. Antiseptic
vaccine during epidemic.
c) Necessity to work for satisfaction of Krishna only is emphasized in 3.15
(Yajnartha-Karma)
 Vikrama = unauthorized sinful work, without vedic direction
 Vedas emanations from breathing of Lord : Omnipotency shown
o Speak by breathing air
o Impegnated by his eyes
o Function of senses are interchangeable and absolute

Text 3.16

THEME: Condemns the Mammonist Philosophy of “Work very hard & Enjoy Sense gratification”

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.16

a) Yajna is Important for Happiness in this world.

b) Also, it helps one in spiritual elevation which is the purpose of human life.
c) Yajna process gradually purifies to being to the platform of Krishna
Consciousness.

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SECTION III (3.17 – 3.35)

NISKAMA Karma Yoga to Set Correct Example

PRACTICAL APPLICATION
 SASTRA AND GURU ASSIGNS ONE DUTY ACCORDING TO HIS MATERIAL ATTACHMENTS
 ONE IS GIVEN ACTIVITIES TO PURIFY HIM WHILE LETTING HIM FUFIL HIS DESIRES IN A
REGULATED WAY

Link Between 3.16 & 3.17

A Niskama-Karma yogi may conclude:

“My prescribed duties are meant to bring material reward. But I do not have any material desire in this
life, nor I desire Svargaloka. I know I am not this body. So why should I need to perform my prescribed
duties.”

Text 3.17 – 3.18 Commented [l1]: Duplicated purport which one?

THEME: Describes an “Atma-Rati” or one who takes pleasure in the self

 He takes pleasure & satisfied in self

o It implies He is Fully Krishna Conscious (purport)
o All impiety is cleansed by Krishna Conscious
o Thus become fully confident of this relationship with Supreme
o Duty become self – illuminated by Lord’s grace
o No Interest in Material Pleasure and Activities
 No purpose to fulfill in discharge of his duty
 No reason for Inactivity either
 No dependence on other living being
 No other obligation except that of Krishna consciousness

Link between 3.16 and 3.17

A Niskama-karma yogi may conclude: “My prescribed duties are meant to bring material reward. But I
do not have any material desire in this life, nor do I desire Svargaloka. I know I am not this body. So why
should I need to perform my prescribed duties?” – This is answered in following verses

Text 3.17 – 3.18 Commented [l2]: Duplicated purport which one?

THEME: Yes, one with no material desires and who is already purified has no need of material duties nor
has he any aversion to them.

 How a Krishna conscious person is free from all other obligations except his activities in Krishna
consciousness
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 Due to Krishna consciousness, all impiety within is instantly cleansed

 By clearing of consciousness, one becomes fully confident of his eternal relationship
with the Supreme
 Then one becomes self-illuminated by the grace of the Lord
 Such a person is no longer interested in material activities and no longer takes pleasure
in material elements like wine, women and similar infatuations
 Krishna conscious man does not take shelter of any person, man or demigod; thus free
from all obligations

Text 3.19 – 3.21

THEME: Such great people perform prescribed duties without detachment to set the proper example for
the common man

 Why a self-realized soul works:

 To set the example
 How he works:
 With detachment
 As a matter of duty, under proper guidance
 For Krishna

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.19

a) Two meanings of ‘Supreme’

 The Supreme is the Personality of Godhead for the devotees
 The Supreme is liberation for the Impersonalists
b) ‘Perfect action of highest degree’ as per Supreme Personality of Godhead’
 To act on behalf of the Supreme, without attachment for the result
 E.g. ‘Personal Attachment ‘ – To be a good man or a non-violent man e.g.
Arjuna wants to avoid fighting; but is told to fight for the interest of Krishna

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FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.20

a) Two meanings of ‘Supreme’

 The Supreme is the Personality of Godhead for the devotees
 The Supreme is liberation for the Impersonalists
b) ‘Perfect action of highest degree’ as per Supreme Personality of Godhead’
 To act on behalf of the Supreme, without attachment for the result
 E.g. ‘Personal Attachment ‘ – To be a good man or a non-violent man e.g.
Arjuna wants to avoid fighting; but is told to fight for the interest of Krishna

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.21

a) Definition of ‘Acarya’ – An ideal teacher who teaches by perfect personal behavior

b) Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu on ‘teaching’
 One should behave properly before he begins teaching
 E.g. A leader cannot teach the public to stop smoking if he himself smokes
c) What are the ‘Standard books for humanity’ – The revealed scriptures like Manu
Samhita and similar others
d) What is the ‘basis of leaders’ teachings’ – These should be based on the principles of
such standard sastras
e) Examples of ‘Natural leaders’ and their ‘Responsibility’
 Natural leaders – The King or the executive head, the father and the school
teacher
 Responsibility – They have great responsibility to their dependents to help
them progress on the spiritual path
f) Srimad Bhagavatam’s recommendation for progress – Follow in the footsteps of great
devotees

Text 3.22 – 3.24 Commented [l3]: Texts or Text

THEME: THIRD EXAMPLE of performing duties as a leader – “Krishna also works”

 Why He has no prescribed duties (BG 3.22)

 There is no work prescribed for Me within all three planetary systems
 Nor am I in want of anything; Nor have I the need to obtain anything
 Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad BG 6.7-6.8 – Describes Krishna as Supreme self-sufficient,
beyond all the prescribed duties
 CONCLUSION –Since everything is in full opulence in the Personality of Godhead and is
existing in full truth, there is no duty for the Supreme Personality of Godhead

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 Why He works (BG 3.23)

 To set example
 To keep social tranquility (BG 3.23)
 To establish religion (purpose of descent) (BG 3.23)
 What if He does not follow (BG 3.24)
 All the worlds would be put into ruination
 Unwanted population will be created
 “I would thereby destroy the peace of all living beings”

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.24

a) Shows ‘varna-sankara’ is caused by not fighting’ (refutes BG 1.40)

b) ‘Imitating’ and ‘Following’ are not on the same level. The examples are
 We cannot imitate Krishna Rasa Lila or lifting Govardhan Hill, but one should
follow the instructions
 Many pseudo devotees of Lord Shiva indulge in smoking ganja and other
drugs
 One should consider the position of the ishvaras (controllers) who can
actually control the movements of the sun and moon; therefore we cannot
imitate the ishvaras who are super powerful, simply follow their instructions

Text 3.25

THEME: Compares attached and detached worker

 ‘Ignorant’ – work with attachment

 ‘Self-realized’
 Work without attachment
 To set the example
 Basis of differentiation between attached and detached worker – DESIRE

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Text 3.27 – 3.28

THEME: Differences in consciousness of ‘Ignorant’ (Material consciousness) and ‘Knower of Absolute

Truth’ (Krishna consciousness)

 Study purports 3.25; 3.27 – 3.28 to find out the differences in the following points:

ATTACHED WORKER (IGNORANCE) vs DETACHED WORKER (KNOWER OF ABSOLUTE TRUTH)

NO DIFFERENTIATING ATTACHED WORKER (3.27) DETACHED WORKER (3.28)

THEME
1 ‘One’ differentiating  DESIRES own sense  DESIRES Krishna’s satisfaction
factor – DESIRE gratification
2 CONVICTIONS  Convinced by false ego that he  Convinced of his awkward position
is the doer of everything in material association
3 KNOWLEDGE OF  Does not know that body is  Knows his real identity as part and
IDENTITY produced by material nature parcel of the Supreme, who is
which works under the eternal bliss and knowledge
supervision of the Lord  Knows that somehow he is
 Does not know that he is entrapped in the material
under the control of Krishna conception of life
4 ENGAGEMENTS  Does not engage his bodily  Engages himself in the activities of
and mental activity in the Krishna consciousness and thus
service of Krishna; because he naturally gets unattached from
forgets that the Supreme Lord activities of material senses
is Hrsikesha (The master of
the senses)
5 CONSEQUENCES  One forgets the Supreme  Consequence of knowledge is that
Personality of Godhead he is not disturbed by all kinds of
 Symptoms of nescience – One material reactions; and considers all
takes all the credit for doing reactions to be the mercy of the
things independently Lord
 Meaning of “TATTVA-VIT” – Ref. SB
One who knows the Absolute Truth
in three different features and
knows one’s factual position in
relationship with the Supreme

Link between 3.25 and 3.26:

QUESTION: If a person in knowledge is expected to set an example, then why don’t they set an example
of renunciation

ANSWER: Most people are not qualified to follow the example of renunciation. If an attached person
renounces worldly responsibilities, he will eventually try to fulfill desires through irresponsible means

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Text 26 & Text 29

THEME: How a ‘Detached man’ relates to a ‘Man in ignorance’

 Not agitate their minds attached to fruitive activities

 Not induce them to stop work
 Engage them in all activities for gradual Krishna consciousness

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.26 & 3.29

a) Why a self-realized soul should not disturb others (3.26)

 Ref. BG 15.15 All Vedic rituals are meant for understanding Krishna, the
ultimate goal of life
 Limited study of Vedas - Conditioned souls do not know anything beyond
sense gratification and they study the Vedas to that end
 Gradual elevation – Through regulated fruitive activities and sense
gratification as per the Vedic rituals, one is gradually elevated to Krishna
consciousness
b) What is the end of all Vedic rituals (3.26)
 Ref. BG 15.15 All Vedic rituals are meant for understanding Krishna, the
ultimate goal of life
c) Definition of ‘Manda’ and what are their activities (3.29)
 A lazy person who is too much attached to the bodily consciousness without
the understanding of the spirit soul
 Their activities
o Accept bodily connections with others as kinsmanship, land of birth
as the object of worship and formalities of religious rituals as ends in
themselves
o Engages in social work, nationalism and alturism
d) How devotees are more kind than Lord (3.29)
 Lord recommends that for such people spiritual realisation is a myth
o One should not try to agitate should materially engrossed persons;
better to prosecute one’s own spiritual activities
o Such bewildered persons may be engaged in primary moral principles
of life as non-violence and similar materially benevolent work
 But devotees know the heart of the Lord – They undertake all kinds of risks to
engage ignorant men in Krishna consciousness (The Absolute necessity for
living entity)

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Text 30

THEME: Level of Bhakti-yoga

 Recommends to work exclusively for Krishna and teach others to do the same
 Surrendering all your works “unto Me”
 With full knowledge of Me
 Without desires for profit
 With no claims of proprietorship
 Free from lethargy, FIGHT!

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.30

a) This verse indicates “Purpose of Bhagavad-gita”

b) ‘Military discipline’ as the ‘mood’ in Krishna conscious duties
c) Why such a difficult mood recommended
 Duties must be carried out with dependence on Krishna, as in military
discipline. Because
o That is the constitutional position of the living entity – Eternally
subordinate to the Supreme Lord
o Living entity cannot be happy independent of the co-operation of the
Supreme Lord
d) Meaning of
 ‘Adhyatma-cetas’ – One who is fully Krishna conscious and depends solely
and wholly on the Supreme Soul without personal considerations
 ‘Nirasih’ – To act on the order of the master without expecting fruitive results
o E.g. Cashier counting millions of dollars for the employer
 ‘Mayi’ (Unto Me) – Nothing in the world belongs to anyone, but everything
belongs to the Supreme Lord
 ‘Nirmana’ (Nothing is mine) – Free from sense of proprietorship
 ‘Vigatah-jvara’ – Without feverish mentality or lethargy
o Give up any reluctance to fight because of bodily relationships
e) What is the ‘Path of liberation’ recommended in conclusion
 Everyone according to his quality and position has a particular type of work to
discharge
 Discharge all such duties in Krishna consciousness

Text 31

THEME: Result of Acting (BG 3.30) – According to Lord’s injunctions

 Freedom from all bondage

 How to follow
 With faith
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 Without envy
 Fate of one not able to fully follow & fails in spite of being ‘faithful’ and ‘non-envious’
 Many philosophers write commentaries on Bhagavad Gita, but have no faith in Krishna
o Their destiny – Never gets liberated from the bondage of fruitive action
 But one who has firm faith, even though unable to execute such orders, such a person is
surely promoted to pure Krishna consciousness
o i.e One is not resentful of the principle and
o Works sincerely without consideration of defeat and hopelessness

Text 32

THEME: Flaw of not being Krishna conscious, such a person

 Out of envy disregard these teachings and do not follow them
 Is considered bereft of all knowledge and befooled
 Ruined in their endeavors for perfection

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.32

a) Analogy of ‘Disobedience’ – As there is punishment for disobedience to the order of

the supreme executive head, similarly there is punishment for disobedience to the
order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
b) What is his ‘ignorance’ and ‘why’
 He is ignorant of his own self and of the Supreme Brahman, Paramatma and
the Supreme Personality of Godhead
 Due to vacant heart
 Therefore there is ‘No hope for perfection’

Link between 3.32 and 3.33

QUESTION: Why do people who transgress your desire not fear punishment from You, as criminals
fear from a king?
ANSWER: BG 3.33

Text 33

THEME: You cannot force someone to give up his conditional nature and material desires

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FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.33

a) Only ‘platform’ to be free from modes – Transcendental platform of Krishna

consciousness (Ref. BG 7.14)
b) ‘High education’ fails to help – Impossible to get out of Maya simply by theoretical
knowledge. Examples:
 Many so called spiritualists pose as advanced in science but inwards or
privately are completely under the modes of nature
 One may be academically learned but because of long association with
material nature, he is in bondage
c) ‘Without full Krishna-Consciousness one should not give up one’s prescribed duties –
why?
 Krishna consciousness helps one to get out of material entanglement, even
though one may be engaged in his material prescribed duties
 No-one should suddenly give up his prescribed duties and become a so-called
transcendentalist artificially
 Stay in one’s position and try to attain Krishna consciousness under superior
training

Text 34

THEME: Gradually purify them by dovetailing their sense enjoyment according to religious duty

 Two stumbling blocks on path of self-realization (3.34)

 Attachment and aversion pertaining to senses and their objects
 How to get out of it (3.34)
 Do not come under the control of such attachment and aversions
 There are principles to regulate attachment and aversion

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FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.34

a) Cause of material encagement & how to get out – mention examples

 Unrestricted sense enjoyment is the cause
 One can get out by following rules and regulations of the revealed scriptures
o E.g. Sex enjoyment is allowed under the license of marriage ties
b) Explain: “There is always a chance of accident, even on royal road”
 As long as the material body is there, the necessities of material body are
allowed, but under rules and regulations
 Yet one should not rely upon the control of such allowances – sense
gratification under regulation may also lead one to go astray
o E.g. Sense gratification in married life
c) ‘One attachment’ leads to all detachments – What?
 Attachment to Krishna consciousness (Loving service of Krishna)
d) Avoid one detachment – What?
 To be detached from Krishna consciousness at any stage of life
e) What is whole purpose of detachment – Ultimately to become situated on the
platform of Krishna consciousness

Text 35

THEME: “It is very dangerous to give up one’s duty and try to follow someone else’s path”

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FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.35

a) Two kinds of prescribed duties

 Materially prescribed duties – Duties enjoined according to one’s psycho-
physical condition, under the spell of the modes
 Spiritual duties – As ordered by the spiritual master for the transcendental
service of the Krishna
b) Stick to one’s duty – till when?
 As long as one is on the material platform he must perform his duties as
prescribed according to the modes; at the same time with a full sense of
Krishna consciousness
c) Common ‘principle’ for both kinds of prescribed duties – Following the authorized
direction is always good
d) ‘Decisive factor’ for material prescribed duties: ‘Influence of modes’, e.g.
 Brahmana is in mode of goodness – Non-violent
 Ksatriya is in the mode of passion – Allowed to be violent
e) When one can transcend –
 Everyone has to cleanse his heart by gradual process and not abruptly
 However when one transcends the modes and is fully situated in Krishna
consciousness, he can perform anything and everything under the direction
of a bona-fide spiritual master. Examples:
o Vishvamitra was originally a ksatriya, but later on acted as a
Brahmana
o Parasurama was originally a Brahmana, but later on acted as a
Ksatriya

SECTION IV (3.36 – 3.43)

CONQUERING THE ULTIMATE ENEMY: LUST
Link between 35 and 37: Arjuna’s question in 3.36

Text 36

THEME: There is some force that pushes one to abandon duty and act sinfully, even against one’s own
will. What is that force?

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FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.36

a) Original nature of living entity

 As part and parcel of the Supreme, he is originally spiritual, pure and free
from all material contaminations
 Therefore he is not subject to the sins of the material world
b) Perverted nature of living entity
 When living entity is in contact with material nature, he acts in many sinful
ways without hesitation
 Sometimes against his will – He is forced to act even if he doesn’t want to

Link between 3.36 and 3.37

QUESTION: What impels sinful action – Supersoul or not?

ANSWER: Sinful actions are not impelled by the Supersoul within, but are caused by another cause
mentioned in 3.37

Text 37

THEME: LUST is that force - Characteristics of lust:

 Born of mode of passion
 Changes into wrath (born of the mode of ignorance)
 Forces us to act sinfully
 All-devouring GREATEST ENEMY of living entity

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FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.37

a) When and what contact transforms love into lust

 Living entity comes in contact with material creation and eternal love for
Krishna transforms into lust, in association with the mode of passion
 ANALOGY: Milk in contact with sour tamarind transforms into yoghurt
b) Elevate passion (lust) into mode of goodness & not degrade into mode of ignorance –
How?
 By the prescribed method of living and acting
 Benefit – Then one can be saved from the degradation of wrath by spiritual
attachment
c) Ever-blissful spiritual entities come to material world under lust. Why?
 Because of misuse of their partial independence – service attitude is
transformed into the propensity to Lord over
 Purpose of material creation – To give facility to the conditioned souls to
fulfill their lustful propensities
d) When does living entity inquire about reality
 When completely baffled by prolonged lustful activities
e) One should inquire – What?
 Inquire about the Supreme – Ref. Vedanta Sutra: “atatho brahma-jijnasa…”
 Supreme – Who is He? – Ref. SB: “The origin of everything is the Supreme
Brahman”
f) What is origin of lust
 The origin of everything is in the Supreme – Therefore the origin of lust is also
in the Supreme
g) How to make lust and wrath be spiritualized
 By desiring everything for Krishna i.e. in Krishna consciousness. Examples:
o Hanuman used his wrath for Lord Rama
o Arjuna is induced to exhibit wrath on the battlefield

Text 38

THEME: LUST covers the living entity - 3 different degrees of covering

 Comparisons:
 Smoke/fire – beginning of Krishna consciousness
 Mirror/dust – cleansing by spiritual methods
 Embryo/womb – knowledge completely covered

 Also:
 Smoke/fire – consciousness of human beings
 Mirror/dust – consciousness of birds and beasts
 Embryo/womb – helpless like trees

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 Human life is an opportunity

 A chance to kindle fire of Krishna consciousness by careful handling of smoke
 One can conquer lust, by cultivation of Krishna consciousness under proper guidance

Text 39

THEME: Further characteristics of lust

 Covers the living entities pure consciousness
 ANALOGY: Never satisfied, like fire (Ref. Manu Smrti)

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.39

a) Analogy: Material world is like ‘Shackles of sex life’ (Maithunya-agara)

 Punishment for living entities disobedient to the laws of God
b) Lust – symbol of ignorance, because
 Advancement of material civilization on the basis of sense gratification means
increasing the duration of material existence
 So-called happiness derived from sense gratification is the ultimate enemy of
the sense enjoyer

Texts 3.40 –3.43

How to conquer the enemy

Text 40

THEME: Know its sitting places (3) – Senses, Mind and Intelligence

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FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.40

a) What are the repositories of lust – Mind and the senses

b) Mind as center of all sense activities – Reservoir of ideas of sense gratification
c) Intelligence – Capital & Next-door neighbor
d) Intelligence – Influences spirit soul – how?
 Lusty intelligence influences the spirit soul to acquire the false ego and
identify itself with matter, and thus with the mind and senses
 Spirit soul becomes addicted to enjoying the material senses and mistakes
this as true happiness
e) False identification: Manifested in various ways (Ref. SB 10.84.13)
 Identifying the body made of three elements with one’s own self
 Considering the by-products of the body to be his kinsmen
 Considering the land of birth worshipable
 Goes to place of pilgrimage simply to take a bath rather than meet men of
transcendental knowledge

Text 41

THEME: Since the senses are the weakest, they are the easiest to begin conquering lust with. Therefore
destroy lust in senses by following religious regulations

 Lust as destroyer of jnana (knowledge) and vijnana (self-realisation)

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.41

a) What is jnana and vijnana

 JNANA- Knowledge of the self as distinguished from the non-self
 VIJNANA – Specific knowledge of the spirit souls constitutional position and
his relationship to the Supreme Soul
b) Learn Krishna Consciousness from Bhagavad-gita.
 Ref. SB 2.9.31: “The knowledge of self and Superself is very confidential and
has to be understood as explained by the Lord Himself”
 What is Krishna Consciousness?
o Living entities are part and parcel of the Lord, and simply meant to
serve the Lord
c) Power of Krishna Consciousness – ‘Even a late beginner benefits and can become a
lover of God by following the regulative principles of devotional service’

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Text 42

THEME: Comparison of Superiority

 Working senses are superior to dull matter
 Mind is higher than the senses
 Intelligence is higher than the mind
 Soul is higher than the intelligence

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.42

a) Senses are superior to matter, because

 The senses are different outlets for the activities of lust
b) Solution to the whole problem
 Understand the constitution of the soul and engage in the direct connection
with Krishna in Krishna-Consciousness
 Krishna Consciousness these outlets (senses) are not in use
c) Only stoppage of bodily action does not help
 Bodily action means function of the senses and stopping the senses means
stopping all bodily action
 But the mind is always active, even though the body may be silent e.g.
dreaming
 Therefore the soul has to be directly engaged with the Supreme, then all
other subordinates (intelligence, mind etc) follow
 Ref. Katha Upanisad (Soul is referred to as “MAHAN” because superior to all,
senses, mind and intelligence) and BG 2.59 (“param drstva nivartate…” –
Higher taste)

Text 43

THEME: Knowing that soul is higher than even intelligence, take strength to defeat enemy

FOCUS OF LEARNING IN 3.43

a) ESSENCE OF CHAPTER 3
 Do not give up work and prescribed duties all of a sudden
 Gradually develop Krishna consciousness and then one can be situated in a
transcendental position unaffected by mind and senses, by the help of steady
intelligence directed towards one’s pure identity
b) In immature stage – ‘philosophical speculations’ and ‘artificial yoga’ fails to help
 RECOMMENDATION: Training in Krishna Consciousness by higher intelligence

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CONCLUSION – HOW TO FIGHT LUST:

 Regulate senses – how?

 By devotional service according to sastra
 Under guru’s direction
 Engage soul in Krishna consciousness
 Intelligence is strengthened
 Mind is engaged in Krishna consciousness
 Mind engages senses which become serpents with broken fangs
 If no Krishna consciousness, then:
 Senses drag mind
 Mind drags intelligence
 Intelligence drags soul into sense gratification

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