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Bhagavad
Gita - Septmeber 26, 2008
Chapter
3, Verses: 1-2
Swami
Yogatmananda
Vedanta
Society of Providence
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III.1:
O Janardana (Krishna)! If it be your opinion that Wisdom is superior
to action, why then do you urge me to horrible action, O Kesava?
III.2:
You bewilder my understanding, as it were, by a seemingly conflicting
statement! Tell me for certain one of these by which I may attain the
highest Good.
The
above image is from Gita Darshan by courtesy of Sri
Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad.
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Summary
of this lecture:
The tendency of avoiding the necessary duty was very strong in Arjuna
and when, towards the end of the 2nd chapter, he hears the Lord glorifying
the state of being established in wisdom, he feels confused. His understanding
is that this high state means you have to give up all the activity;
for the activity necessarily means being ignorant & bound. He wants
the Lord, his Guru to give him the clear, unambiguous advice, rather
than such mixed, confusing message. 'Either action or knowledge; tell
me that one, which will bring the ultimate good.'
This question indicates two aspects of Arjuna: his sincere desire to
put into practice the teachings of the Lord and that he perceives the
work as contradictory to knowledge. A question like 'should I stand
or should I fight' is foolish; one can do both: stand and fight. There
would not be any need for Arjuna, in that case, to ask for only one.
Lord Krishna has no such confusion; he sees that the way to ultimate
wisdom goes through properly doing the actions. This science of conducting
one's duties properly is called 'Karma Yoga.' Lord Krishna will elaborate
it gradually.
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