Class Summary for Jan 9, 2024 - Chapter-2 Slokas 54 - 56

Summarized by:  Pranavi Sreeramoju 

The class began with opening prayers, proceeded to reflect on learnings from previous class, and then reviewed Chapter 2- verses 54, 55, and 56 that were the main topics of the class, and finally concluded with closing prayers. 

Reflections on last class: 

• The example of layoffs in a company by a CEO was discussed and there was lively discussion on whether that was karma yoga. The consensus was generally yes because the CEO was performing his or her duty to the organization but the CEO needs to carry out duties in a compassionate manner. 
• The second point of lively discussion was how karma yoga is a prerequisite for Gnana yoga, and whether it goes the other way too. This topic required clarification of both the terms karma and Gnana. On the surface it seems like action (karma) leads to knowledge (gnana) and knowledge in turn leads to action (the analogy of how science and technology inform each other). However, gnana in this context is self-knowledge which cannot be obtained unless someone has withdrawn from bad conduct and vasanas (attachments) and purified one’s atma. Knowledge on how to achieve karma yoga is operational knowledge and it does not constitute gnana yoga. Without Karma yoga, there is no receptivity in oneself to gnana yoga. Knowledge alone is not enough. On the topic of karma yoga, it is critically important to differentiate karma from karma yoga. 
• On a very rudimentary level, any action is karma. However, actions that create entanglements and attachments (“bondage”) are karma in general parlance, and more specifically called prarabdhakarma in the scriptures. Prarabdha refers to past actions that have created attachments. Although past actions have resulted in current state for everyone, the idea of karma (prarabdhakarma) should not be used as an excuse not to help others. In contrast to prarabdhakarma, nishkama karma refers to actions that create liberation, and is referred to as karma yoga. Nishkama karma creates good attitudes and allow one to avoid attachment/entanglement/bondage and prevents future prarabdha. How you face current action is determined by purushartha, the inherent values of artha (economic values), kama (pleasures), dharma (righteousness), and moksha (liberation). Karma yoga is required to improve these purusharthas, and this is the reason why karma yoga becomes a prerequisite to gnana yoga. Although spiritual leaders do not show evidence of karma yoga (although they might have had past experiences that quickly accelerated their progress along karma yoga which in turn allowed them to receive gnana yoga), in general, for everyone, karma yoga is a prerequisite to gnana yoga. Complete surrender to karma yoga may lead to freedom from any prarabdha karma.

• On an interesting note, the author of this summary learned the concepts of vinyana (cognition), sannya (recognition), vedana (sensation) and sankara (reaction) in a course by Sadhguru this weekend. The interesting parallel is that when facing any situation, the mind requires the necessary cognition to improve recognition and identify sensation that results from recognition, which ultimately improves our response/ reaction to the situation. Higher cognition is needed to improve the quality of our actions/ reactions to situations. We might be able to run a thread through these ideas by saying that karma yoga improves cognition and improves the quality of our actions/ reactions so that our actions are more of the nishkama karma nature and less of prarabdha karma nature. 

• Going through the phase of karma yoga in one’s life successfully is important and necessary in order to reach gnana yoga. Learning anything successfully goes back to sravanam (listening), mananam (reflection), and nididhyasanam (practice). 

Topics for current class: 
Chapter 2- verse 54:
Copied from https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/2/verse/54
Copied from https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/2/verse/55
Copied from https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/2/verse/56
BG 2.54: Arjun said : O Keshav, what is the disposition of one who is situated in divine consciousness? How does an enlightened person talk? How does he sit? How does he walk?
BG 2.55: The Supreme Lord said: O Parth, when one discards all selfish desires and cravings of the senses that torment the mind, and becomes satisfied in the realization of the self, such a person is said to be transcendentally situated.
BG 2.56: One whose mind remains undisturbed amidst misery, who does not crave for pleasure, and who is free from attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady wisdom.
We watched the videos of Swamiji explain these verses. 
When a person successfully navigates the phase of karma yoga, the person begins to become a karma yogi, who is happy by oneself, not dependent on external factors, and feels complete and contented and free from desires. 
We concluded the class with meditation and closing prayers.