Chapter 3 - Karma Yoga

Summary

This world is full of action. Though no action leads to liberation, yet it is desirable to be engaged in action that uplifts oneself and the community (Yagna). Most actions are unconscious and driven by the three Gunas and propelled by individual Karma. Such actions generate more Karma and bind the individual soul to the world. Actions are useful in giving a direction to one's Rajas and to prevent slipping into Tamas. Dropping feverishness, act with awareness and dispassion. Anger and Lust are the biggest enemies on the path to liberation and through knowledge, discipline and devotion, overcome them.

Yathartha

Arjuna asks - if  Knowledge is more important than action, then why do you push me towards action.

It is impossible to escape action while living in this world. actions are mostly driven by the three Gunas and the Karma. Though no action leads you to liberation, yet just dropping action will not get you liberated either. It is better to be engaged in beneficial actions than no action. 

One who forcefully suppresses the senses but craves for them in the mind is a hypocrite. The wise drop the craving in the mind and engage in the world, enjoying the senses dispassionately. You need to be engaged in action regularly at least for the sake of this body and to give a direction to your rajasic energy. only those actions that are done for the benefit of all (Yagna) does not bind you to the world, every other action does. Scriptures have prescribed rituals (Yagna) to please the gods who then will in return fulfil the wishes of the human. so engage and contribute to all Yagnas. One who is keen to receive the fruits of the Yagna without contributing anything to it is like a thief. He is like the sinful one who cooks only to fill his stomach and please his senses.

Food is the source of all beings. Rain is the source of all food. Yagnas are the source of all rain; Good action is the source of Yagna; scriptures are the source of  good action and I am the source of scriptures. So by sincerely engaging in a Yagna, you are serving me. if you dont engage yourself in Yagna, you will waste your precious life in the pursuit of worldly pleasures.

One who is established in the Self has no duty or Dharma and needs no action. He neither desires anything in the world nor does he derive any use from worldly action. But still he constantly engages in Yagna to give a direction to the Rajas and to serve as an role model to the community. Even enlightened beings like King Janaka did not give up their worldly responsibilities. I neither have any desires nor do i lack anything, but still I am constantly engaged in action. If i stop acting, people follow my example as an excuse to be lazy and to escape from their responsibilities. That is why wise people even though are not desirous of anything, constantly engage in action with dispassion. It is important for the wise to ensure that the ancient knowledge and rituals are kept alive and even if they need not, they should engage in rituals prescribed by the scriptures in order to inspire and engage the community. So it is appropriate for you to be engaged in action.

The wise realise that all actions are derived from the three gunas and propelled by Karma. but the ignorant stuck in the ego, believes he is the doer of actions. Even then,  the wise should not detract the ignorant from their worldly actions and should direct them towards action true to their nature. Surrender all actions to me and being free from desires, attachment and feverishness, fight the war. One who follows this will be free from all Karmas.

Mayi Sarvani Karmani Sanyasya Adhyatma chetasa

Niraashi Nirmamo Bhootva Yuddhasva Vigata Jwara

All animals conduct actions according to their nature. So do the wise. It is better to follow your own nature even if imperfect than imitating somebody for social acceptance (Svdharmo Nidhana Shreyaha). Craving and aversion are not your nature. They lie hidden in every sense organ; be alert not to be swayed by them, as they are the biggest obstacles in your growth and take you away from your nature.

Arjuna asks

in spite of not wanting why does a human engage in sinful activites?

Anger and lust (desire) which are born out of Rajas are the source of all sin. Treat them as your worst enemies. Like a smoke covering the fire and dust covering the mirror, anger and lust cover the intelligence. Anger and lust reside in your senses, mind and intellect  and binds the individual soul to this world. Sublter and more powerful than the physical body are the senses, subtle than the senses is the mind, subtler than the mind is the intellect and subtler than the intellect is the most powerful Self. So engage in actions towards self realisation (Sadhana), control the mind and senses through knowledge and destroy this enemy called lust (desire).