Chapter 5 Summary – Gita Notes

Chapter-5

KARMA YOGA — ACTION IN KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS

Connection between Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 :

Chapter 2 gives

Preliminary knowledge of soul and its entanglement in the material body
Buddhi-yoga as the process to get out of this entanglement

Chapter 3 explains that a person on the platform of knowledge no longer has any duties to perform

Chapter 4 presents

The Lord telling Arjuna that all kind of sacrificial work culminates in knowledge
Also Krishna glorifies jnana and speaks of action in inaction and inaction in action (4.16 – 4.18)
In Text 4.41 also He glorifies jnana and renunciation
But in Text 4.42, He orders

Arjuna to fight

Arjuna ‘s understanding up until this point
He thinks renunciation in knowledge involves cessation of all kinds of work performed as sense activities
But if one performs work in devotional service, as Krishna suggests – then how is work stopped?
Work and renunciation appears to be incompatible to Arjuna at this point of time.

Understanding what Arjuna lacks – Work in full knowledge is non-reactive and is therefore the same as
inaction.

Therefore Chapter 5 opens with Arjuna’s question similar to Text 3.1, “Which is better: ‘Work in devotion’ or ‘Renunciation of work’?” Krishna will answer Arjuna’s question and will explain the process of achieving liberation through Karma-yoga in greater depth than Chapter 3.

BREAKDOWN OF CHAPTER-5

Arjuna again asks whether renouncing work is superior to working with detachment
Krishna replies
⇒ Both are equal in the sense that both are means to the same goal
⇒ Emphasizes working with detachment as easier and superior

One performing Niskama-karma-yoga identifies
⇒ Neither with his body
⇒ Nor the activities that his body performs
By his detached actions, he is freed from the reactions of his activities.

The living being (Doer No. 1) who knows that all bodily activities are automatically carried out by the modes of material nature (Doer No. 2), after those activities are sanctioned by the Supersoul (Doer No. 3), attains enlightenment thorough that knowledge.

One who, in knowledge, devotionally fixes his consciousness on the Supersoul and remains materially equipoised, attains liberation in the near future.

Practice of Astanga-yoga gives the same liberation.

A person in full consciousness of Krishna attains liberation from the pangs of material miseries.

Summary of Chapter-5

NISKAMA-KARMA-YOGA – EASIER THAN RENOUNCING WORK
(5.1 – 5.6)

Text 1-3: Karma yoga is same as sannyasa, but better
Text 4-6: Why Karma Yoga is better?

Text (5.1)

Arjuna asks question, “What is better and more beneficial?” ‘Work’ and ‘renunciation’ appears incompatible

Text 5.1 purport mentions that ‘work in devotion’ is easier than ‘dry mental speculation’. Because
It is transcendental in nature and thus,
It frees one from all reactions

Text (5.2)

Answers the question asked in Text 5.1

Both good for liberation
But work in devotion (karma-yoga) is better than renunciation of work (sannyasa)

Text (5.3)

One who works in devotion is a true sannyasi and easily achieves liberation

Definition of true sannyasi – neither hates nor desires fruits and is free from all dualities

Text (5.4 – 5.5)

Karma-yoga and Sannyasa are same, because both lead to spiritual realization and have same conclusion.

It is important to understand that Krishna is not speaking about a variety of paths leading to a variety of inferior or superior destinations. Rather, He is describing two aspects of a path—one easy and one difficult—with the same goal. (These verses are applicable to anyone trying to attain Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan realization, but Srila Prabhupada translated yoga as “devotional service” to highlight Krishna’s actual desire and purpose).

If we renounce activities before our hearts are clean, we will be forced by our unclean hearts to engage in improper activities. The senses will demand engagement, but the jnana-yoga process forbids sense activity. Unless the senses are engaged in good work, it will be difficult to stop improper work. Krishna therefore recommends keeping the senses always engaged, while simultaneously purifying the heart by working with detachment. This is the more practical and, therefore, superior path. The comparison between the two paths continues in the following verse.

Text (5.6)

Dry Renunciation (Jnana-marg) is too difficult and distressful

Karma-yoga is better because
Process is easier
Result quickly gives liberation

CONCLUSION: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RENUNCIATION AND WORK IN DEVOTION
Verse	Renunciation / Mayavadi sannyasis	Work in devotion/ Vaisnava sannyasis
3.3	Needs prior purification by prescribed duties	Process itself purifies
5.2	Simply Jnana insufficient for liberation	Action is must – Must act in status of soul
5.2	Risk of fall down	Success guaranteed – Entrance into God’s Kingdom
5.2	Incomplete renunciation	Complete renunciation / To use everything for Krishna
5.4	Find the root, Vishnu	Water the root
5.5	Process is to detach from matter	Become attached to Krishna
5.6	No happiness	Brings happiness
5.6	Senses restricted, cannot relish transcendental devotional service	Senses engaged, perform multiple devotional activities
5.6	Take many births	Quickly achieves Supreme Personality of Godhead
5.6	Study Sankhya philosophy	Study Srimad Bhagavatam
5.6	Sariraka bhasya on Vedanta Sutra by Adi Sankaracarya	Study Srimad Bhagavatam, natural commentary on Vedanta Sutra
5.6	May fall down to philanthropic and altruistic activities	Have multiple engagements in devotional service, according to Pancharatriki regulations

HOW TO PERFORM NISKAMA-KARMA-YOGA
(5.7 – 5.12)

Text (5.7 – 5.12)

(a) How can Arjuna, a man of controlled senses be offensive to others (5.7)

He was not offensive, soul cannot be killed (Ref. Chapter 2)
Only dress changes
Arjuna was not fighting but only carrying out orders of Krishna in Krishna Consciousness

(b) ‘Brahmani’ means Krishna Consciousness (5.10)

To see everything in relation to Krishna – (Based on Vedic hymns, Bhagavad-gita, Isopanisad)
o To what degree – Even one’s own body (a gift of Lord) and oneself belongs to Krishna, The Supreme Proprietor.
o Use all in His service.

Dovetailed with Krishna: It means to apply everything in service to Krishna – All that is produced of body and in his possessions should be used for Krishna’s service.
To be one with Krishna as part and parcel / Devoid of false ego (Bodily conception).

(d) Cause of anxiety – To function in concept of duality without knowledge of Absolute Truth (5.12)

In Krishna Consciousness there is no duality. All that exists is on Krishna’s Energy and Krishna is all good, Supreme Absolute Truth

(e) Secret of Krishna Consciousness – realization that there is no existence besides Krishna is a platform of peace and fearlessness (5.12).

PLATFORM OF KNOWLEDGE – KNOWING THE THREE DOERS
(5.13 – 5.16)

Text (5.13)

One in knowledge sees the body, not the self as the performer and cause of work. Activities of body are conducted automatically by its modes.

Purpose of discussion is to convince the embodied living entity that ‘I am not the only doer’
Embodied living entity resides happily in the city of nine gates, neither working nor causing work to be done, when he
Controls his nature and
Mentally renounces all actions

Text (5.14)

One in Knowledge perceives, therefore the material nature as the cause of worldly actions (Role of Modes).

Text (5.15)

One in Knowledge sees material nature as being under Lord’s control and thus the Lord as the ultimate performer and the cause of all actions

But this theme raises a question that “Doesn’t that make Him responsible for all good and bad things done in this world?”
Text 5.15 answers this: “He simply sanctions, the soul initiates by desire and therefore living entity is responsible for all good and bad reactions.

Text (5.16)

Knowing the relations between the three (Supersoul, Soul, material nature as explained above) allows one to be detached from all fruits

“A state of perfect knowledge” is achieved when one surrenders unto the Lord (Ref. Bg. 7.19)
One attains full enlightenment, peace and happiness
Finally attains real liberation
Analogy: Sun lights up and reveals everything in daytime (rising of sun: knowledge), similarly knowledge destroys the nescience and reveals everything

COMPARING THE SOUL AND SUPERSOUL (5.13 – 5.16)
S No	SOUL	SUPERSOUL
1	Eternal	Eternal
2	Blissful, but suffers when covered by maya	Blissful, above the modes
3	Cognizant of his body	Cognizant of all bodies
4	Anu, atomic	Vibhu, omniscient
5	Has minute independence to desire but is dependent upon Supersoul to fulfil desires	Complete independence

LIBERATION BY FOCUSSING ON THE SUPERSOUL

(5.17 – 5.26)

Text (5.17)

Becoming fixed in the Supreme – As described in this verse, after one achieves knowledge that he is different from his body i.e knowledge born of the mode of goodness (Ref. Bg. 14.17 “sattvat sanjayate jnanam…”) – he must become “fixed in the Supreme” to achieve liberation

By fixing one’s intelligence, mind, faith and refuge in the Supreme, one becomes fully cleansed of misgivings through complete knowledge
Thus one proceeds straight on the path of liberation

Text (5.18)

Equality of vision – Liberated self-realized soul can see everything and everyone equally

He, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle Brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog eater.

Text (5.19)

Such a self-realized soul has no attraction or hatred to matter, thus he is flawless and impartial like the Lord.

Text (5.20)

Symptoms of self-realized soul

Being without desire or hatred, one’s intelligence does not rejoice or lament
One remains sharp in intelligence and
‘Unbewildered’ – Fixed in the self

Text (5.21)

Further symptoms of self-realized soul

Being fixed in the self one experiences great happiness within (higher taste) and thus one is never attracted to the temporary sense gratification.
One concentrates on the Supreme and enjoys unlimited happiness.

Text (5.22)

An intelligent person does not take part in sensual pleasures because

Contact of senses with the sense objects is a source of misery
Such pleasures have a beginning and an end – They are temporary

Text (5.23 – 5.24)

Tolerate the urges till the end of life – One should patiently tolerate the “urges of material senses” and the “forces of desire and anger” before giving up this present body. (5.23)

Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward (5.24)

Text (5.25)

He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts.
Minds are engaged within.
Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme.

Text (5.26)

By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

Being free from anger and all material desires.
By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection.

LIBERATION THROUGH ASTANGA YOGA: A PREVIEW

(5.27 – 5.28)

Text (5.27 – 5.28)

Introduction to astanga-yoga

People generally identify spirituality with inaction. They think sitting somewhere in forest is more spiritual than working in Karma-yoga. Lord Krishna makes the point that there is no difference between karma-yoga and astanga-yoga.
Krishna tells how one may achieve same Supersoul realization through astanga-yoga (A preview to Chapter 6).
Also when one is thus purified in vision and activities by niskama-karma-yoga, only then one can begin and make advancement in astanga-yoga.

PEACE ON THE PLATFORM OF LIBERATION

(5.29)

Text (5.29)

Tells Arjuna how he can remain peaceful on, of all places, a battlefield only by understanding Krishna’s supremacy and act accordingly
GREATEST PEACE FORMULA

Lord Krishna is:

1. Bhoktaram yajna-tapasam – Beneficiary of all sacrifices and penances

Offer everything in the Transcendental Service of the Lord

2. Sarva-loka-mahesvaram – Supreme Proprietor of all planets and demigods

No one is greater than Him; Greater than greatest demigods
Ref. Svetasvatara Upanishad 6.7: Krishna is the Supreme Isvara
The living entity is under illusion in trying to lord over material nature – but is dominated by the material energy

3. Suhrdam sarva-bhutanam – Benefactor and well wisher of all living entities.