Significance Of ‘Karma Yoga’ In The Gita An Accomplishment Of Human Life

Abstract

Karma yoga is an ancient principle of Indian Philosophy. Karma means action, yoga means the state. It suggests the way to live in the world without getting entangled in wrong and sinful action. One of the Hindu religious text Bhagavad-Gītā, Chapter three explain the teachings of Karma Yoga. Karma yoga is the performance of prescribed duties obligatory for everyone. In Karma Yoga, Lord Krishna explains how duty can be performed as abided by responsibility in different stages of life. Lord Krishna goes on to detail the reasons why these responsibilities are so important, the benefits of fulfilling them, the drawbacks of failing to do so, the paths that lead to bondage and the paths that lead to redemption, and so on. The Bhagavad-Gītā prescribes two things that are essentially required to practice Karma yoga: (1) the karma yogin should not have an attainment of the fruits of action and (2) He ought to perform his actions as they are suggested to him. It will also elaborate the concept of Niskamakarma, in this context Gītā says ‘Do your duty without aspiration of results.’ This paper will summarize the three important concepts of the Gita, viz. Karma yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Jnana Yoga. Karma yoga leads to Jnana, Jnana leads to Bhakti. Bhakti leads to Salvation. Karma yoga is the foundation to the way of salvation (Mukti). Karma purifies the mind, helping growing Bhakti, which ultimately leads to Jnana. There cannot be Jnana without Karma yoga. Bhakti yoga and Jnana yoga also interlinked. Thus, the paper will try to analyze in a nutshell the importance of Karma yoga, and its significance to attain the highest aim of human life ‘Salvation’ (Mukti).