« The Song of God—Volume 1, chapters 1-6
A map of the third chapter
In chapter two, Kṛṣṇa gave the main goal of the first chapters of the Gītā: to elevate ourselves to the platform of buddhi-yoga, the foundation of the platform of pure bhakti-yoga, which He will explain in the later chapters. In this chapter, He details the path to this elevated standard, from sinful life all the way to niṣkāma-karma-yoga, and from there back to buddhi-yoga, examining the challenges on the path.
The keys for this chapter are:
Confusion - Solution - Elevation - Example
Guidance - Surrender - Enemy
Confusion: Arjuna becomes confused (3.1 and 3.2)
Arjuna becomes confused by Kṛṣṇa’s praise of buddhi-yoga in chapter two. Buddhi means intelligence. Arjuna takes it literally as meaning using intelligence to avoid fruitive action. Should he use his intelligence or should he fight?
Solution: Niṣkāma-karma-yoga (3.3 to 3.9)
Kṛṣṇa gives the direct solution to Arjuna’s dilemma: not inaction, but detached work. Some can renounce work and follow the path of jñāna-yoga, but they have a different qualification. Arjuna should not become a pretender. Instead, he should work for Kṛṣṇa without attachment, and from there reach the standard prescribed by Kṛṣṇa in the second chapter. He should fight while using his transcendental intelligence, situated in perfect Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Elevation: The cycle of sacrifices (3.10 to 3.16)
Kṛṣṇa starts explaining the process of karma-yoga from the very beginning, starting from the Vedic process of karma-kāṇḍa, meant to elevate common people gradually to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Humans perform sacrifices (yajña), the demigods are pleased, and they supply rain, food, and prosperity. All of this, however, happens under the supervision of Lord Viṣṇu. As people gradually come to understand this, they gradually rise to the platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Example: Whatever action a great man performs (3.17 to 3.24)
Common people perform duties with attachment to the result. Advanced devotees, however, work without attachment, solely for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa. This emphasizes the distinction between the two levels. Does this mean one should work only until he becomes self-realized and then stop? No. Even when a devotee becomes detached, he should continue working to give the proper example to others, as Kṛṣṇa Himself does.
Guidance: The learned guide others without disturbing them (3.25 to 3.29)
The ignorant act under false ego, thinking themselves the sole doers of their activities and the enjoyers of the results. Should the self-realized tell them to stop working? No. He should teach them to work in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, becoming free from false ego and material possessiveness. This is done by the transmission of transcendental knowledge.
Surrender: Taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa (3.30 to 3.35)
Performance of duties alone does not bring perfection; a change of consciousness is necessary. Kṛṣṇa gives us three injunctions: “Surrender all your works unto Me,” “Become free from desire for gain and possessiveness,” and “Fight without lethargy.” We should surrender our works unto Kṛṣṇa, but at the same time work according to His injunctions, according to our nature, and not try to imitate the path of others. Our path to perfection is not to renounce prematurely, but to work as an offering to Kṛṣṇa.
Enemy: The main obstacle (3.36 to 3.43)
In these final verses, Kṛṣṇa examines the main obstacle to following the process He gave: lust. This is the main force that binds us to this material world and covers our original consciousness. It forces us to act materially, even against our desire. We need to curb it as soon as possible, not through simple repression, but by a superior engagement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa then outlines the structural hierarchy of the self: senses < mind < intelligence < soul. We should see ourselves as transcendental to the material body, senses, mind, and intelligence, and from this platform, use spiritual intelligence (buddhi) to conquer lust. Beyond this hierarchy stands Kṛṣṇa, who is greater than all. When we are connected with Him, we automatically obtain all spiritual strength.
Confusion asks if wisdom calls us to withdraw;
the Solution is detached work, performed by higher law.
Through sacrifice comes Elevation, step by step;
the wise teach by Example, so the world is safely kept.
With careful Guidance, they uplift and do not blame;
through Surrender, every action serves Kṛṣṇa’s aim.
Yet lust, which turns to anger, is the Enemy born of passion;
subdued by higher knowledge, it no longer drives our action.
Read the entire book:
« The Song of God—Volume 1, chapters 1-6
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