Time spent laughing is time spent with the Gods. - Japanese Proverb

Gita’s Karmayoga - the most difficult discipline to practice

Gyan Rajhans P. Eng.

According to the Gita (see my article on the Immensity of Hindu Scriptures in Oct and Nov issues) Karmayoga consists in the renunciation of both the fruit of Karma and attachment for Karma (For the definition of Karma, see my article - “The Karma Doctrine” in Feb. 2004 issue). However, in the present age not many Karmayogis are found who can satisfy the test of the Gita. In my 26 years of Bhajanawali broadcasts I have not found anyone, although I have interviewed many saints and social workers, who can explain and illustrate by his own example how Karma may be performed without reference to its fruit and without attachment to it and whose conduct may be accepted as ideal for guiding us along the path of Karmayoga.

Theory Vs. Practice

The Karmayoga as enunciated in the Gita and which has been declared to be the easier discipline appear very difficult to me. Is this Karmayoga a mere theoretical proposition, or can be actually practiced? If it can be practiced, there must be people who practice it. How can it be called easier if there are none that I know of, who know and practice the discipline?

Three Types of Karmayoga

The Gita describes three types of Karmayoga:

1. Karmayoga to consist in the renunciation of both attachment for and the fruit of Karma (Gita II .48);

2. Karmayoga as the renunciation of attachment for all Karmas and all objects (Gita VI .4); and

3. Karmayoga as the renunciation of the fruit of all Karmas (Gita XVIII .11) or as the absence of craving for the fruit of Karmas (Gita VI .1).

In my opinion so far as the doctrine of Karmayoga is concerned, there is no fundamental difference among the above three definitions. Karmayoga consists in the renunciation of both the fruit of Karma and attachment to the Karma itself; hence it was quite in order for the Gita to mention both these forms of renunciation while defining Karmayoga. Where only renunciation of attachment to Karmas and objects is mentioned there the other form of renunciation is also implied though not expressly stated. For example, when the desire for wealth, honour and fame is renounced, the quest for them, i.e., the fruit of action is automatically relinquished.

Difficulty in Practicing Karmayoga

Lord Krishna Himself stated in the Gita (IV.2) that for a long time the practice of Karmayoga had disappeared from this world. This shows that even in His own time there were not many people who understood this Yoga, and even at the present age there are not many who understand it. People fail to understand the secret of Karmayoga described by the Gita inasmuch as their heart is torn by conflicting emotions such as those of love and hatred. The secret of it is known only to those blessed souls whose sins have been washed away by performance of selfless deeds.

It cannot be said that real Karmayogis are no longer available in this world. The fact is that for want of faith and reverence we fail to meet and recognize them. Under such circumstances, when we do not find any person who can give us a practical demonstration of Karmayoga through his conduct, the only course left to us is to keep before us the teachings of the Gita as our ideal and try to regulate our conduct according to the same.

The Karmayoga described in the Gita is not mere theoretical proposition, but can be actually reduced into practice. It appears difficult to us only on account of our ignorance of the secret of its performance and our attachment with the body and objects of the world as also due to lack of faith on our part. But as a matter of fact it is not so difficult. Through disinterested performance of duties laid down by the Scriptures with implicit faith in the words of the Gita and according to its directions, attachment for the world will gradually disappear and the secret of Karmayoga will gradually unfold itself to us. Through this process when attachment is completely destroyed and the secret of Karmayoga is revealed to us, practice of Karmayoga will no longer appear difficult.

The Real Problem

The scriptures and saints exhort us with one voice to give up the desire for honour and, fame as something exceedingly harmful. Nevertheless, when honour and praise are bestowed on us they bring joy to our heart and thus we develop attachment to them which in its turn stimulates the desire to win the same. It is due to ignorance or lack of wisdom on our part that in order to serve our minor interests we neglect our greater and truer interest, viz., the supreme bliss and supreme peace. However the real problem is that we have read so much about supreme bliss and peace in books but we have never tasted it. Hence, we are not prepared to renounce worldly and transient pleasure and work for eternal joy, peace and freedom.

The Solution

We all know full well and have experienced it in our lives that the fruits of all earthly wants are temporary and we feel miserable when we are forced to relinquish them. But our devotion to our earthly interests has grown to such an extent that it does not allow us to perceive our true goal of eternal joy.

What is the solution?

We have to ever remain conscious of our real interests and save ourselves from the lure of the destructive earthly interests. However, it is easier said than done. Let me give you an example. Before we start any work the first thought that arises in the minds of us all, is what shall we stand to gain by this. Our thoughts are naturally directed towards our own selfish interests. Therefore, this thought of self-interest should be banished the moment it arises in the mind before we start any work. That which we regard as a gain in the worldly sense is not gain in the true sense of the term. True gain is that which has a real existence and which once having gained is never lost. Such true gain is secured through renunciation of worldly gains. Therefore, thoughts of earthly and personal gain which arise at the time of starting a work should be immediately discarded knowing them to be the root of all evils. Nip it in the bud. Let it not take root in you. It is much easier to pluck out a plant than uproot a tree.

The discipline of Karmayoga is still easier for those who have surrendered themselves to God knowing that He is the real doer and we are merely His instruments.

[Gyan Rajhans, an internationally recognized heath & safety professional has been broadcasting the only non-commercial Vedic religion radio program in North America since 1981 & worldwide web cast on www.bhajanawali.com since 1999. Mr. Rajhans has published extensively on religious and spiritual matters. Some articles are available on the Bhajanawali web site. He has translated Sri Mad Bhagvad Gita in English for the younger generation. Mr Rajhans has been conferred various titles, including that of Rishi by Hindu Prarthana Samaj of Toronto Hindu Ratna by Hindu Federation of Toronto. He received Canadian Journalists' and Writers' Club (CEJWC) award  for 2005 in the Internet category - Opinion - for his Spirituality columns in South Asian Outlook e-Monthly.]

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