Introduction To Karmayoga

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H.H. Dr. Jayant Athavale started writing Holy texts with the blessings of His Guru, H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj. Imparting knowledge on Spirituality and answering the ‘how and why’ of Spirituality in a scientific terminology are the main features of these Holy texts. Some Holy texts contain Divine Knowledge, obtained by Sanatan’s seekers, which is not available anywhere else on earth Due to the grace of God and sankalpshakti (Energy of resolve) of H.H. Dr. Athavale, seekers are receiving Divine Knowledge, which is useful for the entire humanity.

Under the guidance of H.H. Dr. Athavale, Sanatan Sanstha conducts in-depth spiritual research on how to realise God through the medium of various Art forms. H.H. Dr. Athavale is incessantly conducting research and imparting necessary guidance for protecting humanity from demonic forces from the Bhuvalok (Nether region) and Pãtãl (Hell region).

Dr. (Ms.) Maya Patil commenced the sëvã of spreading Spirituality in Sangli District of Maharashtra, under the guidance of Sanatan Sanstha in 1996. Later, she served in the Miraj office of ‘Dainik Sanatan Prabhat’. She also performed spiritual remedies on Sanatan’s seekers. Presently, apart from spreading Spirituality, she also writes and compiles Sanatan’s Holy texts.

Distraught by the difficulties in life, man is in search of true Bliss ‘ Only God-realisation can bestow such Bliss. Only ‘Science of Spirituality’ shows the Path to attaining Bliss Having understood this science, when a person is convinced, he starts on spiritual practice. The Principles in Spirituality are the truth and eternal; hence, there is no doubt that if we perform spiritual practice as per this science, we will get Bliss and God-realisation. Therefore, the Holy texts that impart education on the ‘Science of Spirituality’ are invaluable for mankind!

The word Karmayoga’ (Path of Action) conjures images of those giving alms to beggars, setting up educational institutions, and those engaged in social service. However, in most cases, since the activities are at an emotional level or for the sake of publicity, it does not constitute Karmayoga in the real sense of the word. Then, what exactly is Karmayoga? Performing that karma (An act, action which gives rise to Destiny) which will result in spiritual growth and, ultimately, God-realisation, denotes Karmayoga. Even if the karma were to be worldly, performing it in a way such that no new sanskr (Subconscious impression) is created on the chitta (Subconscious mind) and thereby getting freed from the bondage of sanskars forever is the objective of Karma yoga. Performing karma as expected by the Hindu Dharma and the scriptures, by sacrificing the attachment and the expectations of the fruit, is a supreme definition of Karmayoga. If a Bhaktiyoga (Follower of Bhaktiyoga [Path of Devotion]), Dhyanyoga (Follower of Dhyanyoga [Path of Meditation]) etc. complement their sadhana(Spiritual practice) with Karmayoga, en it will certainly help improve their sãdhanã.

Since the the subject of Karmayoga’ is vast, we are presenting its various facets in a Holy text series titled ‘Karmayoga’. This Holy text provides basic information on Karmayoga and the essence of sadhana according to this Path. The history of Karmayoga, Arjun’s doubts about Karmayoga and Srkrushna’s carification of Arjun’s doubts; importance of performing karma; imporrtance of Karmayoga in vyashti (Individual spiritual practice) and samashti sãdhanã (Spiritual practice for the spread of Spirituality); salient features of Karmayoga; secrets of Karmayoga, meaning, sacrificing doership and means of accomplishing it according to Karmayoga, Dnyanyoga and Bhaktiyoga; how and why to perform swadharma-karma (Duties prescribed by Dharma an individual) and kartavya-karma (Fulfilling responsibilities) are discussed in this Holy text.

Definitions of Karmayoga
A Path that provides knowledge on why man performs karma, why karmas entrap in bondage, how to perform karmãs without getting trapped in bondage, which are the karmas that liberate a man from .worldly bondage (that of Maya), the importance of performing karma ‘even after becoming Jivanmukta (Liberated when still embodied) etc., :‘des on how to abstain from performing wrong karma and on :performing the right karma (so as to eventually attain Moksha [Final Liberation] is termed as Karma yoga.

‘When our tendencies gradually change from Tama:predominant (Please see Glossary) to Raja-predominant (Please see Glossary) and then get stabilised in Sattva (Please see Glossary), further culminate in bhãv (Spiritual emotion), our penance be comes special. This itself is called Karmayoga’. - H.H. Kane Maharaj,Narayangaon, District Pune, Maharashtra

Synonyms of Karmayoga
Narayaniya Dharma : ‘Srivishnu is constantly engaged in :e karma. Hence, Karmayoga is also called ‘Vaishnav Dharma’ or Narayaniya Dharma’. (‘Nãrayan’ is one of the Names of Srivishnu).’ ‘Mahabharat, Shantiparva, 339 - 66.67 and 340 - 44.45

Path of karma-sanyas(Renunciation of karma)(path of smart) : Path of Smart means the Path advocated by the Smrutis. traditionallyationally however, it has come to be known as the Path of karma-sanyas

Others: Other synonyms of Karmayoga are Nishkam Karmayoga, Samatvayoga, Buddhiyoga, Bhagwadartha-karma, Tadartha—a Madartha-karma, Mat-karma etc.

Karma and Karmayoga
Karma plainly means an action or a deed. It is not limited to just -physical actions like eating, drinking, walking, laughing etc., but also includes all karmas performed by the five sense organs, five motor organs, mind and intellect. Karmayoga means to keep performing that karma which will result in our spiritual growth, and thereby we will eternally be associated with Brahman or God. in short, getting liberated from the cycle of birth and death through the medium of action is Karmayoga.

‘Karma is kriya (Physical performance of a deed) dependent, while Karmayoga is independent of kriya. It means that Karmayoga is achieved not with kriya, but with vivek (Discrimination between right and wrong). This means Karmayoga is not the mere performance of karma. Practising Karmayoga is elimination of the defects within us. Anger, lust, greed etc. are the defects that need to be eliminated.’ - From ‘Srimadbhagwadgita, Chapter 3’ written by Gurudev Dr. Kateswamiji Meaning : With the mind purified by devotion to performance of karma, and the body conquered, and senses subdued, one who realises one’s self as the self in all beings, though acting, is not tainted.

Misconceptions about Karmayoga due to lack of understanding of the difference between karma and Karmayoga Meaning: Karma keeps a man entrapped in bondage, while knowledge liberates him from that bondage.
If there is no nishkãm-bhãv (Spiritual emotion devoid of expectation) in the practice of Karmayoga, then it is merely karma and not Karmayoga: ‘In Karmayoga, just nishkãm-bhãv is important. Anything sans nishkam-bhãv is not Karmayoga at all. it is merely karma. There is no Yoga involved here. Such karma has no connection with Yoga.’ - Gurudev Dr. Kateswamiji (1)

Karmãs from Karmayoga are not just any karma, they are those specified in the Vëds: In the present age, the Sanskrut phrase is interpreted as ‘Expertise in performing a karma is Karmayoga’. The modern lot feels that, performing any karma expertly is by itself Karmayoga. What then is the need to perform karma recommended by the Vëds, they reason ? Be it a non-Vedic karma or a prohibited karma, having expertise suffices That itself is Karmayoga However, what does Srikrushna say about it ? meaning, karma originates from Brahman (God Principle) and Brahman means the Vëds. It simply means that karma advised by the veds is karma specified by Karmayoga, and that precisely is karmayoga.’ - From ‘Srimadbhagwadgita, Chapter 3’ written by Gurudev Dr. Kateswamiji

Performing expertly karmãs not mentioned in the sciiptures, is not the intent of the Karmayoga : ‘That which not create bondage to karma is Yoga. Karma prescribed by the scriptures should be performed with such expertise that no kriyaman-karma (Wilful action) is generated. Yoga is not meant for performing expertly karma that finds no mention in the scriptures. (Performing prohibited karmãs like drinking, smoking, etc. in a stable state of chitta is not Yoga). Yoga is meant for attaining Mukti(Salvation). A pleasant state of the antahkaran is the visible consequences of Yoga.’ - From ‘Srimadbhagwadgita chapter 2 written by Gurudev Kateswamiji

Ability to achieve Karmayoga that is to receive satisfaction from performing karma Every karma we perform must be satisfying only then does it amount to attaining Karmayoga. For example happiness and contentment should be the consequence of completion of work in the kitchen.If the attitude is that of getting rid of a chore, it does not help