Class Summary for Feb 18, 2025 - Chaptersr-5 - Slokas 1-6

 Summarized by:  A.K. Srinivasan

Recap of Ch 1-4. We went over the changing perspectives in this Geeta journey; how we often have to go back to prior chapters as the meaning become clearer along the way. Mind and intellect will try to play a role and a play a game and insist that ‘you’ve got it’. But Sadhana helps us in grounding us and surfacing unknown and open questions. The utility of the sadhana package toolkit in our daily routine was reinforced. 

We are all ego-realized souls who need to be on a path to soul-realized Egos

Chapter 5 - Karma sanyasa yoga

Swamiji’s videos on Renunciation – renunciation is not about running away from your responsibilities or just changing your outfit or other worldly things. True renunciation is when you give up what truly belongs to you – your mental attitude (not the public park, not your body…these all don’t belong to you)

This chapter attempts to clear up the confusion between Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, as to which is the path to renunciation – Karma yoga or Gyana yoga

Both are different paths to the same goal, are complimentary to each other and help us eventually give up ‘doership’. The example of traveling via I-95 versus I-295 was given – different paths, but same destination. 

Karmayoga is preparation for renunciation of bondage and attachments, from actions and results, by helping us clear our minds. It helps in practicing everything we’ve learnt, giving up likes and dislikes, thru ‘vyragya’

Sankhyayoga, same as Gyanayoga, helps us in attaining knowledge of the Brahman

While in Gruhastashram, it is not easy to perform renunciation, as we have to perform our assigned duties that our role requires ,as a son, daughter, partner, child, parent etc. We need to perform these roles with the right attitude. 

Sanyasaashram is the withdrawal from society so we can focus on Sankyayoga . It is best to start sanyasayoga in Grihastashram, hard as it is, by doing Karmayoga and practicing renunciation of results 

We watched /Gutudev’s  3 Intro videos on Ch. 5

We also watched 1 extra Swamiji's video at the end - 2 more to go.




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