Karma Yoga

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ARJUNA SAID:

 

1. If it be thought by Thee that knowledge is superior to action, O Janardana,

why then dost Thou, O Kesava, direct me to this terrible action ?

 

2. With an apparently perplexing speech, Thou confusest as it were my

understanding. Tell me with certainty that one (way) by which I may attain

bliss.

 

THE BLESSED LORD SAID:

 

3. In this world a twofold path was taught by Me at first, O sinless one: that

of Sankhyas by devotion to knowledge and that of Yogins by devotion to action.

 

4. Not by abstaining from action does man win actionlessness, nor by mere

renunciation does he attain perfection.

 

5. None, verily, even for an instant, ever remains doing no action; for every

one is driven helpless to action by the energies born of Nature.

 

6. He who, restraining the organs of action, sits thinking in his mind of the

objects of the senses, self-deluded, he is said to be one of false conduct.

 

7. But whoso, restraining the senses by mind O Arjuna, engages in Karma-Yoga,

unattached, with organs of action, he is esteemed.

 

8. Do thou perform (thy) bounden duty; for action is superior to inaction. And

even the maintenance of the body would not be possible for thee by inaction.

 

9. Except in the case of action for Sacrifice's sake, this world is

action-bound. Action for the sake Thereof, do thou, O son of Kunti, perform,

free from attachment.

 

10. Having first created mankind together with sacrifices, the Prajapati said,

" By this shall ye propagate; let this be to you the cow of plenty.

 

to be continued...