Miscellaneous - Religion   

The path of action

CHENNAI : The Vedas, which are the scriptural authority of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism), comprises two sections — the Karma kanda and the Jnana kanda. The former stresses the importance of performing one's duties. This is a vast section with several prescriptions. The Jnana kanda deals with Self-knowledge by which the goal of liberation from rebirths can be attained. This is the ultimate objective of human birth and the Vedas envisage a gradual progression to this end by first leading an active life in the world in which duty takes centre stage.

In her discourse, Swamini Satyavratananda said by discharging his duty (Karma yoga) according to the circumstances in his life the spiritual seeker's mind was cleansed of its baser tendencies thus paving the way for pursuit of the path of knowledge to realise the purpose of human birth. Karma yoga is the most important spiritual practice for a spiritual aspirant because it is the best means to progress towards liberation naturally. When Arjuna was in a dilemma as to which of the two paths was best suited to him, Lord Krishna counselled and even commanded him to do his duty first. He also explained why one could not choose between them as they were dissimilar.

Lord Krishna told Arjuna, "In this world two courses of spiritual discipline have been enunciated by Me in the past. In the case of the Sankhya yogi, the discipline proceeds along the path of knowledge; whereas in the case of the Karma yogi, it proceeds along the path of action." The criterion here is not whether the seeker must lead a life of renunciation or be a householder but his mental maturity. So, Arjuna must have been hurt when advised to follow Karma yoga (engage in war which was his duty) and not pursue the path of knowledge — to be indirectly told that he was still immature.

The Gita was taught to Arjuna when he was psychologically seeking a way out of waging the war and hence it would have suited him to follow Jnana yoga. The Lord could have directly instructed him to engage in the war without dilating at length on spiritual knowledge in the battlefield. The reason for the teaching of the Gita is that Arjuna was in the right frame of mind to learn the truth. It also underscores that a spiritual seeker must accept whatever the Guru tells him to do.

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