In the Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 48, Shree Krishna praises the equanimity that enables us to accept all circumstances with serenity. He calls this state 'Yog', or 'union with the Supreme'.
योगस्थ: कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय |
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्यो: समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते ||
yoga-sthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā dhanañjaya
siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṁ yoga uchyate
Translation: Be steadfast in the performance of your duty, O Arjun, abandoning attachment to success and failure. Such equanimity is called Yog.
This equipoise arises from implementing the knowledge of verse 2.47.
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि |||
karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi
Translation: You have a right to perform your prescribed duties but are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.
The verse offers a practical solution to life's challenges. As we navigate life's ocean, we encounter waves beyond our control. Struggling against negative situations only leads to unhappiness. However, if we learn to accept everything that comes our way without sacrificing our best efforts, we surrender to the will of God and achieve true Yog.
There are two aspects to work on: our external actions and our internal attitude towards them. Shree Krishna advises Arjun to elevate his internal motivation for work. He declares that those who work for self-enjoyment are miserly. Those detached from the fruits and dedicated to a higher cause are superior. And those who offer the fruits to God are truly knowledgeable. As individuals, we evolve spiritually; we naturally shed the desire for personal gain and move towards service. This service attitude becomes perfect when we learn to work for God's pleasure, dedicating all fruits to Him.
Some people wonder if giving up attachment to results will decrease performance. Arjun's example illustrates that this is not the case. Before hearing the Bhagavad Gita, he intended to fight the war to win a kingdom. After hearing the Gita, he fights because it is his duty to God and to please Shree Krishna. He remains a warrior, but his internal motivation has changed. Doing his duty without attachment does not make him any less competent. On the contrary, he fights with greater inspiration because his work is directly in service of God.
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Bhagavad Gita [English]- 16.03.2024
