Karma Yoga By Shibasis[from Gita]

Er Shibasis Biswal

Kindly note that here we are not able to adhere to the prescribed format given by you for writing this document for all the questions as the first three and the sixth questions were not discussed in the class. The fourth and the fifth questions comply with the format given. For the first three questions, we present the ideas which we discussed within the group and also some other concepts which are taken from the Bhagavad Gita.
Also, we are combining the first two questions as they are interrelated and cannot be answered independently.
1) Who is a Karma Yogi?
2) How does Gita define Karma Yogi?
Ans: There are various perceptions in the society about Karma Yogi. Some say, Karma Yogi is the one who is ‘Sansaari’ (i.e. anyone who has not taken ‘sanyaas’ or seclusion from the society) is a Karma Yogi. Another perception is that the one who works hard is a karma yogi. Some people regard Karma Yoga as doing nothing (inaction). Some of these beliefs are true to some extent but they do not touch the core concept of Karm Yoga. Bhagvad Gita emphasizes on three types of Yoga - Krama Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Gyan Yoga. All of them are different approaches to reach to the ultimate state of self-realization. Karma Yoga is believed to be the easiest path to follow for a common man as it is something which can be carried out through mundane activities. The Bhagavad Gita recommends this path for every ‘sansaari’. First six chapters of Gita are dedicated to Karma Yoga. Some of the verses which have been translated in English by Swami Shivananda (Rishikesh) are as under:
He who sees inaction in action and action in inaction,
he is wise among men; he is a Yogi and performer of all actions.
-Gita, Ch. 4, Verse 18.
For, verily the true nature of action (enjoined by the scriptures) should be known, also (that) of forbidden (or unlawful) action, and of inaction; hard to understand is the nature (path) of action.
-Gita, Ch.4, Verse 17.
He whose undertakings are all devoid of desires and (selfish) purposes, and whose actions have been burnt by the fire of knowledge, -him the wise call a sage.
–Gita, Ch.3, Verse 19.
Having abandoned attachment to the fruits of actions,
ever content, depending on nothing, he does not do anything though engaged in activity.
-Gita, Ch.4, Verse 20
To one who is devoid of attachment, who is liberated,
whose mind is established in knowledge, who works for the sake of sacrifice
(for the sake of God), the whole action is dissolved.
-Gita, Ch.4, Verse 23.
Thus, Gita defines Karma Yogi as the one who has no attachment towards the end result, the one who focuses solely on his/her actions rather than the end result, the one who performs actions without the sense of ‘doership’, the one whose actions have been burnt by the fire of knowledge and the one who is devoid of desired and selfish motives. Gita further says, a Karma Yogi will dedicate each of his action for the divinity. While performing karma, he will have a persistent feeling of sacrifice and ‘egolessness’. Karma Yoga is about choosing the most righteous path among all the available choices. According to Gita, actions bind men. One has to face the consequences of one’s actions (either good or bad) if those actions are performed with the sense of ‘karta’ or ‘doership’. However, no human can ever remain without action even for a moment. Inaction is just not possible because even a thought is an action. So, Bhagvad Gita shows a way out of this through karma Yoga. Through Karma Yoga, the fruit of the action performed doesn’t get generated. Gita further says that liberation is attained when there are no consequences of one’s own karma left to be faced. Thus, as fruits of karma are not generated through karma yoga, it is a path to liberation.
Another important aspect of Karma Yoga is that of element of excellence in Karma. Here, it would be significant to point out that non-attachment of Karma Yogi doesn’t mean that he perform his actions carelessly. Karma Yoga rather asks Karma Yogi to shift his emphasis on actions from its end result. Karma Yoga directs the doer towards performing actions with excellence or in other words, in the best possible manner. This idea can also be regarded as Dharma. This becomes clear from the fact that Krishna advised Arjuna to battle for an ideal goal and thus to discharge his duty. It is imperative to note that Dharma is an integral part of Karma in Karma Yoga.
To elaborate on Karma Yogi, we present several examples how a true Karma Yogi is and how does he differ from the one who is not a Karma Yogi. As mentioned earlier, the fundamental idea behind Karma Yoga is that a Karma Yogi does not remain attached with the end result. A Karma Yogi will consider his meal as ‘prasadam’. He will never consume food for the sake of taste but only for the nourishment of his body. Another illustration can be that a true Karma Yogi will perform social service with a complete selflessness. He won’t have any hidden objectives or self-interests behind those actions. Nowadays, we see many performing social activities for either getting credit or building up goodwill or achieving some kind of reward. This will not be the case with a Karma Yogi. So, performing social service is not Karma Yoga but performing it selflessly without any expectation to achieve something in return is Karma Yoga.
Let us also throw light on the underlying logic specified in Gita and the other Hindu scriptures behind performing actions without the feeling of doer is that human being is a soul which is connected with the divine and is the ultimate truth. Every jiva is connected with the other jiva. In fact, there is no ‘this’ jiva and ‘that’ jiva. There is complete oneness. So, actually there is nothing such as an individual which exists. Bodies and minds may be different but they are only the external covers of the soul which is one and the ultimate. Ego is a false impression about the ‘self’. This false impression leads one to get attached with the fruits of actions. Thus, unless one attempts to put down the sense of ego, one cannot be a Karma Yogi. Gita further describes that through continuous practice of Karma Yog, one can ultimately realize the self and attain liberation.
3) What are the qualities listed down in Gita which qualify a manager as Karma Yogi?
Ans:
After a thorough understanding of the concept of Karma Yoga, we can go ahead to translate it into more practical terms so that it can be made more intelligible and can be implemented in our day to day life. Some of the qualities which are associated with the idea of Karma Yog are as under:
- No attachment with the end result
- Stability in success as well as failure
- Equanimity
- Efficiency
- ‘Egolessness’
- Sense of Responsibility
- Fearlessness
- Mindfulness
- Positive Thinking

Though these qualities are not explicitly mentioned in Gita, these can be derived from the concept of Karma Yog. These qualities are very much required not only to attain liberation but also to be a successful manager. An example from the workplace may be like this: An employee (or a manager) who is a Karma Yogi will always perform his role and discharge responsibilities providing full justice to his work and will adopt no unfair means or no shortcut methods (such as pleasing the boss, downgrading coworkers etc.) for fulfilling his selfish motives (such as getting promoted). This in turn will also enhance his efficiency as his demonstration of quality work will be the only way to achieve the desired result. Here it would be important to mention a point which was brought out during our discussions that though Bhagvad Gita talks about complete selflessness and dissolution of desires which may seem too idealistic in today’s time, especially in the corporate culture, there can be a middle way out. One can have certain ambitions and may not be completely free of desires and selfish motives but still applying the above mentioned qualities at his workplace is possible. So, in the aforementioned example, the employee may be ambitious to get promoted but if he acquires that through adoption of the above qualities and not through any unfair mean, he can be regarded as a Karma Yogi.
4) How can a manager become Karma Yogi (KY)?


Class Discussion:

o Being KY is the easiest way
o Sustainability is important, that is why KY concept comes into picture
o Manager is KY, Karma is the religion for him/her
o According to Ram- Make an objective, target your path, set expectations and make it sustainable
o Manager can’t be egoless
o Sole purpose of life to become KY
o Without karma, nothing to do
o What do we do with karma
o Focus on end
o KY is attainment of result without concerned about means
o Kabir (a KY), attained enlightenment though he was doing only weaving work
o All corporate workers are KYs.
Questions / issues rose during the class discussion:
o Why focus on old concepts, come out with newer ideas as per today’s world?
o What do we attain by being a KY?
o Manager is ethical way of being a KY?
o Is CSR a KY?

Before we could put in last question, Prof. Ibha Kumar intervened as the discussion was not achieving the proper direction and meaningful output was not being obtained. More discussion was followed, the notes of which are as follows:

• What is dharma?
• Dharma to kept in mind while doing karma
• Is butcher a KY?
• Utilizing energy for future on something which I don’t have control over.
• ProcessResult favorable
• No right to take life
• Soldier- dharma, Murderer- Adharma
• Corporate Self interest, profit making
• Choice- my duty to decide what is to be done
• Ego- false belief about ourselves, not right even to achieve results
• Positive attitude
 KY
 Let not any negative thought affect you
 Again belief has to be revisited
 Why should we be positive, because it helps me, i can control myself, for my own good

• We all have expectations
• When expectations do not get fulfilled  anxiety or depression
• Why expect?
• Unhappy at what I don’t get

Since not much was discussed for 6th question due to lack of time, here is what we could note.

Q: What will they and the society gain by their becoming Karma Yogis?

• Lots of responsibility
• Definitely society will benefit
• Human life is for social service
• Corporate < Development
• Service to mankind