Gita reflection Ch 18 verses 17 & 18

3rd December 2024

From the perspective of a realized person who still participates in worldly activities, the notion of "I am the doer" is entirely absent. Without ego, his intellect remains untainted. Even if he is a warrior required to take lives on the battlefield as part of their duty, he will not be considered a sinner.

 

What drives a person to act and achieve in this world? Lord Krishna explains this through several factors. 

 

First is knowledge. Only humans engage in action with a plan, purpose, and a desire to enhance their performance. 

 

Second is the object of knowledge. The desire to obtain or possess this object motivates a person to act. 

 

Third is the knower, interested in pursuing actions that can fulfill or satisfy him. This knower interacts with five components of action, which can be summarized into three: the instruments of action (karanam), the activity (karma), and the doer (karta).

Gita reflection Ch 18 verses 15 & 16

2nd December 2024

There are three broad types of actions that every human engages in during daily life. Firstly, most daily activities are performed by the body, such as walking, eating, and driving. We use our sense organs to see, hear, taste, and interact with the world around us. 

Secondly, we have speech, which serves as a crucial means of communication. As humans, we are equipped with this faculty and extensively use it to express ourselves. 

The third type of action is thinking, which distinguishes humans from all other beings. Regardless of whether these actions are moral or immoral, they fall into one of these three categories. 

Importantly, the pure Self remains uninvolved in these actions. If someone with a distorted understanding of the Self mistakenly believes that the Self is the 'doer' of all actions, they lack a correct understanding of their own identity.

Gita reflection Ch 18 verses 13 & 14

1st December 2024

Lord Krishna now turns his attention to the concept of action to enlighten Arjuna. He explains the key components involved in any action. 

There are essentially five factors necessary for the completion of all actions. Ultimately, these factors will be understood through the knowledge of Vedanta, which can help one transcend all actions.

The first factor is the body, which serves as the means through which actions are performed. The second factor is the individual soul, which engages in action to obtain the results. The third factor includes the instruments of action, such as hands and speech. 

The fourth factor is the variety of actions performed, along with the movement of energies that activate the senses. Finally, the fifth factor consists of the presiding deities that empower various organs; for example, the Sun provides energy for the eyes, while the Moon influences the mind.