Aham Brahmasmi is the essence of all Upanishads. We get to know this by doing Sravanam, Mananam and Nidithyasanam.
Can we use the knowledge gained from Upanishads in solving our day to day problems? It is difficult to receive, assimilate and implement this knowledge. It requires our internal refinement and a lot of preparation. Gnana yoga is pursuit of spiritual knowledge. Karma yoga is a preparatory discipline.
Principles of Karma Yoga
We are unable to accept ‘Brahman’. In Karma yoga we are changing from Atma No. 1 to Atma No. 2. ‘Atma 1’ alone is popularly known as Paramathma. There are three layers in a human body as given in ‘Tatva Bodha’. They are ‘Stula Sariram’, Sukshma Sariram (invisible body) and Karana Sariram (storehouse of past karmas i.e. punyam and Pavam). Everyone is a mixture of Stula, Sukshma and Karana sariram. Body, Prana and mind are matter and material in nature and are inert. They don’t have sentiency (sensory faculty) of their own. They borrow consciousness from Atma No 1, which is paramathma and is eternal and all pervading. It can be called as the ATM (from where we borrow/withdraw money) of consciousness. This borrowed sentiency (the faculty through which the external world is apprehended) is called borrowed consciousness or reflected consciousness. Sarirathrayam plus reflected consciousness is called Atma No 2 or Jeevatma. Thus Body, mind, prana, all stored up karma plus borrowed Consciousness is “I” the Jeevatma. I am a ‘kartha’ and ‘Boktha’ at Karma Yogi level. I will have several punniyam, pavam earned through past actions. ‘I’ am paramathma at Gnana Yoga level. The body will survive till punniyam and pavam is exhausted. Jeevatma will become invisible after death and will take another body which is ready. The journey ends only in Moksha. Without knowing the law of karma, karma yoga is impossible.
Unfolding punya pava palan is prarabdham which is called fate or destiny. This is already determined by me by my own past actions. (I have to pay the price for my own actions). Is my future determined by Prarabdha only? Fate is one of the influencing factors and is not the only factor. The second factor which influences our future is our effort or freewill or our prayathna. What I produce is called Agami (Punniyam and Pavam) and is based on my present effort. The question will be raised as to what will be the status/ Condition of my physical body 5 years later. This is decided by prarabdha and agami. We should remember this in order to become a healthy Karma yogi. No human being can handle this part of Karma and only Eswara / Bhagawan maintains the punniyam and pavam of everyone. Eswara also maintains the law and order of the Cosmos and he is the Karma Pala Padha. Thus every event is a resultant of agami and prarabdha. A karma yogi must be a devotee of God. A karma yogi is involved in continuous activity both secular and sacred activity.
We have to remember 4 points (four principles of Karma Yoga) while performing our actions. I use the word RIDE to explain this.
R – Reduction of all adharmic actions gradually. By adharmic is meant what I don’t want others to do to me. Start living alertly and avoiding the avoidable.
I – Increase Dharmic activity. The activities which involves our contribution, our service to infrastructure around us by helping others. Become a socially responsible citizen. Do pancha maga yagna. I should learn to look at others reverentially. If possible contribute to their maintenance and growth. Worship and respect our parents. Do prithru yagna for the departed soul.
D – Dedication of all the activities and worship to the lord. I visualize every action as a flower which is used for remembrance of the lord and dedication. Bhagavan is the invisible examiner called karma pala dhadha. A Happy mind is a generous mind and an unhappy mind is a stringy mind. When I remember the lord my anxiety regarding my future comes down. Future is unknown and the unknown causes fear. Follow the principle that work is worship and dedicate all actions to God.
E – Experiencing the future as it unfolds as my own karma pala and as prasada coming from the lord.
Four benefits that we get starting with “S” from Karma Yoga are as under:-
1. Self respect. I will get out of my low self image. Low self image (freedom from inferiority complex) is removed if I contribute more.
2. Serenity. I don’t have anxiety regarding my future. When I work I accept the result with humility. I enjoy a non reacting mind. That is samathvam which is freedom from stress.
3. Harmony of the setup. Start contributing by taking less and giving more. Balance taking and giving.
4. Spiritual growth. An increased desire to come to gnana yoga from Atma No 2 to Atma No 1. Moving from “I” am jeevatma to “I” am Paramathma. From Dasogam to sogam.
Be blissful.
S.Sekar
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com
