Chapter 5 Karma Yoga—Action in Krsna Consciousness Bhakti is easier than sannyasa (renouncing all work) 1-6 The Performance of Nis-kama Karma ( 7 ‑ 12) Knowledge: the three doers in perspective (13 ‑ 16) Liberation: Focusing on the Supersoul (17 ‑ 26) Liberation: Astanga-yoga preview (27 ‑ 28) Peace on the platform of liberation ( 29)

Arjuna asks the same question. Which is better-- work with devotion or renunciation of work? Krsna seems to have said one thing in verse 41 and another in Verse 42 chapter 4 so Arjuna is confused

Sri Krsna Responds They are both good But Work with devotion is easier and therefore better! How many ways can you ask the same question? 1.Which is better: intelligence or fruitive work? 2.If one is detached from the results why should one work? 3.If one has knowledge should one engage in prescribed duties? 4.If knowledge is the goal of sacrifice then if one has knowledge why should one continue to perform work as a sacrifice?

Arjuna’s confusion You say: Work for sense activity must be given up. Fighting for a kingdom, even with knowledge of the soul, seems like activity of the senses to me. Therefore it should be given up! If one works with devotion then how is work stopped? You speak in riddles, action in inaction, inaction in action. I’m confused. Where? (4:16-23)

Verses 2-5 In many ways they are both the same. Neither hates nor desires fruits Free from dualities Liberated Comes to understand that he is soul not this body Becomes attached to working for Krishna Neither hates nor desires fruits Free from dualities Liberated Comes to understand that he is soul not this body becomes detached from matter

But work for Krishna is easier, safer and makes you happy faster Merely renouncing all material activities will not make one happy By working in devotional service one can achieve the Supreme without delay and be supremely happy. At the same time the senses will be engaged without attachment to the fruits. When the senses are not engaged they may drag away the mind of someone whose heart is not completely free of lust. By watering the root, serving Krsna, the devotee serves everyone, and becomes dear to everyone. And everyone is dear to him. Can be practiced even when the heart is not pure by following the instructions of the pure devotee. Verse 5:6

Purport 5:7

Materially work depends on 5 immediate and remote causes: the endeavor (Desire) The situation (Nature) fortune (the Lord) The Doer (the body) The work (the action) And one becomes trapped in the 3 modes of nature

engaged with their objects. He is aloof from them Although engaging all the working and knowledge acquiring senses the self realized soul knows that the material senses are engaged with their objects. He is aloof from them One who performs duty without attachment, surrendering the results to the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water. 5:10

What is the difference between a person in Krishna Consciousness and a person in bodily consciousness? 5:12 What causes anxiety over the result of an activity?

Knowledge of the 3 doers Vs Doer 1-- The self (Jiva) Situated in the city of 9 gates He’s not working or causing work to be done Does not create activities Does not induce people to act Doesn’t create the fruits of action Since material happiness and distress come from identifying with the body when one is not attached to the results he can live happily.

Doer 2-- The modes of material nature. They are doing everything, but they are under the direction of the Lord.

Paramatma can detect the desire of the Jiva as one can smell the fragrance of a flower without touching the flower with ones nose! Doer 3– Supersoul- is sanctioning but aloof. The Lord, Paramatma, doesn’t take responsibility for anyone’s pious or impious activities

What is it? Understanding the 3 doers and how they work is

The soul desires- the Lord doesn’t interfere Lord The Lord sanctions these desires as the living entity deserves Then the modes carry things out. This is knowledge in the mode of Goodness and is called:

When, however, one is enlightened with the knowledge by which nescience is destroyed, then his knowledge reveals everything, as the sun lights up everything in the daytime. BG 5:16

When this knowledge is used to focus on the Supersoul then one can act in a transcendental way Enlightenment can lead to transcendence if it is focused on the Supersoul.

Why does the whole Bhagavad gita center around the declaration that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead? 7:7 Mattah parataram nanyat kincid asti dhananjaya…no truth superior to Me! Brahmano hi pratisthaham– I am the sourse of Brahman

Verse 18. The humble sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater (outcaste )

Verses When one fixes his consciousness on the Supersoul His intelligence, mind, faith and refuge are focused He is free from doubts because he has knowledge of the 3 doers He sees that the Supersoul is sanctioning but impartial He sees with equal vision because he has knowledge he is not this body & knowledge of the Supersoul in every being

Then one attains the Brahman platform vs He is transcendental to the 3 modes Mind is situated equanimity –Sees everything as Krsna’s and Krsna’s energy –Understands that whatever happens is the will of Supersoul Doesn’t rejoice or lament over good or bad things Self intelligent and unconfused Knows the 3 does in proper perspective Enjoys unlimited happiness from within –Not attracted to material sense pleasure –He sees sense pleasures as temporary and full of misery Concentrates on the Supersoul

What is the cause of all material miseries?

And how long do I have to tolerate the pushing of the senses? One must tolerate the urges of the senses Check the force of desire and anger One must tolerate the urges of the senses Check the force of desire and anger

Why should you tolerate the urges of the body? You will be happy even within this material world You will find happiness within. You will get a higher taste that will make it easy to tolerate material life You will be a perfect mystic & know the Supersoul You will be liberated-- not affected by the 3 modes You will develop faith beyond doubt and duality You will do work for the welfare of all You will become free from sin Ultimately you will attain liberation in the Supreme

You will be assured of liberation in the very near future. Ultimately, by Krsna’s mercy, you will go to Him

A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wiser of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries. 5:29