Summary of Karma, ViKarma and AKarma
Summarized by Prathima Srinath based on her understanding
Karma, Vi-karma and Akarma
Verse 17 states - karma, vikarma and akarma are all actions, and that the way of action is mysterious and there is more to understand about them.
Below is my interpretation of verse 17 and Verse 18 based on the commentaries, of Swami Chinmayananda, Swami Sarvapriyananda, Sridhar Swami, and Sri Ramanuja Gita Bhasyam.
Verse 17 states - karma, vikarma and akarma are all actions, and that the way of action is mysterious and there is more to understand about them.
Below is my interpretation of verse 17 and Verse 18 based on the commentaries, of Swami Chinmayananda, Swami Sarvapriyananda, Sridhar Swami, and Sri Ramanuja Gita Bhasyam.
Literally Karma, Vi-Karma and Akarma means:
Karma: performing actions as prescribed by Vedic scriptures -Nitya and Naimittika
Vi-karma: performing improper action, forbidden action
Akarma: inaction, non-performance of action
Karma: performing actions as prescribed by Vedic scriptures -Nitya and Naimittika
Vi-karma: performing improper action, forbidden action
Akarma: inaction, non-performance of action
It is important to understand the real nature of action to know what they mean in the spiritual sense.
What is the real nature of Action – Karma and Vi-karma?
Sense organs, constantly in contact with external stimuli, keep sending impression to mind. The mind gathers new impressions and gets colored by the Vasana hoarded within and are translated into action through our physical body.
What is the real nature of Action – Karma and Vi-karma?
Sense organs, constantly in contact with external stimuli, keep sending impression to mind. The mind gathers new impressions and gets colored by the Vasana hoarded within and are translated into action through our physical body.
Above Diagram is from Holy Geeta by Swami Chinmayananda.
What is the real nature of Akarma: inaction - ‘non-performance of action’.?
This may be well explained by realizing who the non-doer of action is.
From the above diagram we notice that Physical body, mind and intelligent are involved in the action. Is ‘I’ the Jiva also involved in action? What is the true nature of ’ I’ the Jiva(embodied Self / Atma / True consciousness / Sakshi)?
Self / Atma / True consciousness / Sakshi is not the body, not the mind and not the intelligence (Chapter 2)
Lord Krishna in Chapter 3 Verse 27 says - All actions are performed, in all cases, merely by the GUNAS – ‘Prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah’. It is apparent that GUNAS of Prakrti perform all activities appropriate to them with our body, mind and intelligence as the instrument. But, Ego (Ahankara), the mistaken conception of I (Self / Atma / True consciousness / Sakshi) applied to the workings of Prakrti (Vimuddhatma ) thinks to be the doerof the action (‘Kartaham iti manyate’)
What is the real nature of Akarma: inaction - ‘non-performance of action’.?
This may be well explained by realizing who the non-doer of action is.
From the above diagram we notice that Physical body, mind and intelligent are involved in the action. Is ‘I’ the Jiva also involved in action? What is the true nature of ’ I’ the Jiva(embodied Self / Atma / True consciousness / Sakshi)?
Self / Atma / True consciousness / Sakshi is not the body, not the mind and not the intelligence (Chapter 2)
Lord Krishna in Chapter 3 Verse 27 says - All actions are performed, in all cases, merely by the GUNAS – ‘Prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah’. It is apparent that GUNAS of Prakrti perform all activities appropriate to them with our body, mind and intelligence as the instrument. But, Ego (Ahankara), the mistaken conception of I (Self / Atma / True consciousness / Sakshi) applied to the workings of Prakrti (Vimuddhatma ) thinks to be the doerof the action (‘Kartaham iti manyate’)
Based on this concept, it can be inferred that –
Selfless activity performed without ego centric desire is called Karma. These activities are not
influenced by Vasanas and they do not bind us by the fruits of action.
Activity when performed with ego centric desire are influenced by the Vasanas. Such activity binds us by
the fruits of action and is termed Vi-karma. Such activities should be forbidden (if the goal is to seek
enlightenment / moksha).
This implies that activities are performed by prakrti with body, mind and intellect. No action is performed by Self/Atma/true consciousness/’sakshi’. – True consciousness is inactive – akarma.
Akarma is also interpreted as the ‘knowledge of the Self’by Sri Ramanuaja in the Gita Bhashyam
Self is non-performer of action (akarma) and hence is not effected/binded by the fruits of action. Akarma does not create baggage. It is the body mind and intellect that keeps accumulating the fruits of action.
Selfless activity performed without ego centric desire is called Karma. These activities are not
influenced by Vasanas and they do not bind us by the fruits of action.
Activity when performed with ego centric desire are influenced by the Vasanas. Such activity binds us by
the fruits of action and is termed Vi-karma. Such activities should be forbidden (if the goal is to seek
enlightenment / moksha).
This implies that activities are performed by prakrti with body, mind and intellect. No action is performed by Self/Atma/true consciousness/’sakshi’. – True consciousness is inactive – akarma.
Akarma is also interpreted as the ‘knowledge of the Self’by Sri Ramanuaja in the Gita Bhashyam
Self is non-performer of action (akarma) and hence is not effected/binded by the fruits of action. Akarma does not create baggage. It is the body mind and intellect that keeps accumulating the fruits of action.
This explains
One who recognizes non-action in action is Buddhiman.
He who realizes that, though activity - karma is being performed (by body, mind and intellect), I (Jiva / Self / true consciousness) is a non-performer - akarma, he is ‘buddhiman’, as this knowledge of Self helps detachment and can pursue Karma Yoga successfully. Similarly, One Who recognizes action in non-action is Yogi Lord Krishna mentions in Chapter 3 Verse 5, Verily, none can ever remain, even for a moment, without performing action.
When all sense organs have withdrawn and the body is not performing any action (akarma), the mind and
intelligence are still active(karma). One who realizes this is the YOGI as he can then successfully engage in meditation and contemplation on the reality of Self to advance Jyana Yoga.
One who recognizes non-action in action is Buddhiman.
He who realizes that, though activity - karma is being performed (by body, mind and intellect), I (Jiva / Self / true consciousness) is a non-performer - akarma, he is ‘buddhiman’, as this knowledge of Self helps detachment and can pursue Karma Yoga successfully. Similarly, One Who recognizes action in non-action is Yogi Lord Krishna mentions in Chapter 3 Verse 5, Verily, none can ever remain, even for a moment, without performing action.
When all sense organs have withdrawn and the body is not performing any action (akarma), the mind and
intelligence are still active(karma). One who realizes this is the YOGI as he can then successfully engage in meditation and contemplation on the reality of Self to advance Jyana Yoga.
Conclusion,
The knowledge that when Body Mind and intellect are engaged in Karma, I(Self) is in the non-performer ( state of akarma) helps develop detachment. The knowledge that when body and senses have withdrawn (akarma), mind and intelligence are still active helps in contemplating the knowledge of Self.
This is just one of the interpretations that appealed me. Great philosophers have interpreted the same in different ways in line with their philosophies and to cater to all groups. But all relate Action with Knowledge .
The knowledge that when Body Mind and intellect are engaged in Karma, I(Self) is in the non-performer ( state of akarma) helps develop detachment. The knowledge that when body and senses have withdrawn (akarma), mind and intelligence are still active helps in contemplating the knowledge of Self.
This is just one of the interpretations that appealed me. Great philosophers have interpreted the same in different ways in line with their philosophies and to cater to all groups. But all relate Action with Knowledge .
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