SUMMARY OF THE THIRD CHAPTER OF BHAGAVAD GITA

The 3^rd chapter of Bhagavad Gita comprises 43 verses and can be classified into 5 portions.

Verse 1 to 7: This topic talks about Arjuna’s question and Lord Krishna’s answer.

Verse 8 to 20: Krishna elaborately discusses the spiritual aspect of Karma yoga.

Verse 20 to 29: Krishna deals with the topic of Lokasangraha (responsibilities of a Gnani in the society).

Verse 30 to 35: Krishna summarizes the topic of Karma yoga.

Verse 36 to 43: Problem or the obstacle of Kama and Krotha (desire and anger) in the path of spirituality is discussed here.

Verse 1 to 7: (Anuprashnaga). Arjuna asked the question based on the previous teaching. In the 2^nd chapter Krishna talked about two special disciplines in the form of karma yoga and Gnana yoga. Gnana yoga is the final means of liberation. Krishna starts with Gnana yoga and ended with Gnana yoga and in the middle portion karma yoga was mentioned. Arjuna wants to skip karma yoga and do Gnana yoga as karma yoga is uncomfortable. Krishna gives answer from 3^rd to 7^th verse. There is no choice between karma yoga and Gnana yoga. Every spiritual seeker has to do karma yoga and Gnana yoga. Should they be practiced simultaneously or sequentially is the question? Krishna told that they be followed sequentially. You start with karma yoga and end with Gnana yoga. Karma yoga is for junior seeker and Gnana yoga for senior seeker (sankya). By doing Gnana yoga you get liberated.

2^nd Topic Verse 8 to 20: An analysis of Karma yoga.                                                            

The four principles of karma yoga may be represented by the term RIDE.

R – Gradually reduce all adharmic actions. Adharma means what you don’t want others do to you, you don’t do to others. {Unethical behavior, improper behavior (Asuri sampath 16^th Chapter)}.

I – Gradually increase Dharmic activities in five different areas in the form of fivefold contribution. Selfless contribution to the cosmic world in the form of pancha maha yagna is necessary.

Deva yagna: Do daily pooja or prayer. Never seek any personal or family favour from the lord. You can do sandyavandanam or Siva manasa pooja.

Pithur yagna: Do reverential contribution to your family. We should never be ungrateful to our family, to our parents, grandparents and fore fathers. Reverential contribution to the preservation of our scriptures. If somebody is doing you may help them. This is Brahma yagna. Manushya yagna: Reverential contribution to the fellow human beings. Bear in mind that without society’s support we can’t survive. Bootha yagna. Animals and plants are important for our survival.  Reverential contribution to animals also by way of pongal and mattu pongal.

  

D – Dedicate all the actions as an offering to the lord. Treat work as worship. Even mundane work has to be done happily. Never do any job half heartedly.

E – Experience everything in life. Good or favorable or unfavorable. I go through the experience as a prasada from the lord. Every experience in our life is the result of our own past action. This is the law of Karma. Past action belongs to this janma or past action may belong to purva janma. Baghavan is karma pala Dadha. Give me the strength to go through and the intelligence to come out of the situation. Accept every experience as Baghavan’s prasada.

Agna, Yagna, Yoga and Dharma angles are explained.

Agna angle: Pancha maha yagna is not given by Baghavan as an activity. It is a compulsory duty. It comes under nithya karma. Ex: Paying Tax is not an optional one. Omission of pancha maha yagna is a papam (punishable).

Yagna Angle: Expression of gratitude to the lord.

Yoga Angle: Pancha maha yagna will help in faster spiritual growth which is called yogaga.

Dharma angle: Pancha maha yagna is extremely important to keep balance in the universe. Imbalance is the ill health of the Cosmos. If the world is not healthy we will have to pay the price. Whole universe has a symbiotic relationship.

3^rd topic Verse 20 to 29: Whether a Gnani or a Gnana yogi requires Karma yoga or not?

Krishna says even a Gnani has to do pancha maha yagna as long as he is a house holder. Krishna quotes himself as an example. Krishna tells Arjuna that as a Charioteer I am obeying your commands. The motive is for serving as a model for others to follow. Society will always look out a successful one as a model. A Gnani remembers his higher nature. Adult members are observed and imitated by younger ones in the society. Krishna tells Arjuna that Mahabharata is your duty and don’t run away.

4^th topic Verse 30 to 35: 30^th Verse is the most important of 3^rd Chapter and also the entire Bhagavad Gita. 

Offer all your actions to Baghavan and perform well. Give top priority for spiritual growth. A Moksha pursuer may give importance to material prosperity also. Never vote for material prosperity at the cost of spiritual growth. In short earn legitimately. May you be humble in success. Whenever success comes we tend to be arrogant. (Reference:  kenopanishad Devas and Asuras fight). Humility is the hallmark of spirituality. Use Bhakti as an emotional / mental shock absorber. Pray to Baghavan to give you the strength to maintain Samatvam as much as possible. Krishna tells that those who do not follow karma yoga will fall down materially and spiritually.

5^th topic Verses 36 to 43: Krishna talks about karma yoga in the form of Kama and Krotha (Desire and anger). He highlights Kama as a major problem. Unethical desires alone are to be condemned. May you encourage only healthy desires. Desires are generated by three organs in the body. Sense organs get tempted and is a founder member. Mind becomes the next member nourishing the Kama. The next is Buddhi which justifies unethical desires. Sense organs initiate the desire. Control sense organs by avoiding temptations. Say no to drugs, no to liquor, cigarette etc. Once you take to them thereafter coming out is difficult. Sense control is the best method of mastering Kama. Ethical Kama will become non binding desires. You will feel complete fulfillment.

Be blissful.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com