_{Bhaga vad Geeta}

Chapter 5 Yoga of Renunciation

Arjuna asks

_{You praised renunciation first, then you extolled Karma Yoga. Which is better of the two. O Krishna,  tell me what is best ?}

_{Krishna Says}

_{Karma yoga ( work in devotion) and renunciation of work , both lead to the supreme goal.But of the two Karma Yoga's active path is better for you.}

_{Renouncing all for the sake of wisdom( a sanyasi) , the same goal is reached by Karma yoga also.Following either one of them properly one can attain the fruits of both. The renounced life is difficult if Karma yoga ( work in devotion) is not practiced first.Through Karma yoga one is purified mastering one's senses.}

_{Comments inspired by Swami Tadathmananda}

_{As mentioned last time, though this chapter is titled Renunciation ( Sanyasa) it is still about Karma Yoga.The main purpose of studying Bhagvad Gita is to learn about spiritual wisdom and apply the spiritual solutions to our daily problems. Bhagvad Gita is all about practical wisdom. All of us are expected to pursue spiritual growth at every stage of our life contrary to the general belief that you start spiritual activities after retirement. With contemplation of spiritual goals one becomes a mentally strong and happy person. If one is happy he or she would be a better person at whatever she /he is doing. Having established this fact let us proceed. The word sanyasa ( renunciation) has different meanings including the one we normally know as a saffron clad Hindu monk.There are 5 types of renunciation. 3 of them are renunciation of actions( Karma Sanyas) and 2 are Phala sanyas ( those who renounce fruit of work) who are also called Karma Yogis.}

_{1. First kind of Karma sanyasa is renouncing all work. This is not an option for any one at all . Lord Krishna has consistently criticized such people in Bhagvad Gita. These are the people who shirk all responsibilities because they can not cope up with life's challenges and seek sanyasa hoping they will contemplate spiritual growth. In modern day terminology such a person is known as a loser or a quitter. He commits the basic adharma of neglecting his duties and family who are dependent on him. Such a person will be very unsuccessful in his spiritual goal since what he left behind will not leave his mind.}

_{2. The second kind of Karma sanyasi is the one who renounces all actions that do not contribute to his spiritual growth. A good guy, to be precise. Many of us can fall into this category. Most of us are trying to improve ourselves constantly by giving up what is unnecessary like excessive TV watching, alcohol and other addictions which are bad for physical and mental health and hence spiritual growth.}

_{3. The third kind of Karma Sanyasi is one who is formally initiated into this life( Saffron clad Hindu monks) after going through rigorous training with a Guru. Such a person gives up all the Vedic rituals. In those days a family man is supposed to perform various rituals for the welfare of his family like birth of a child, good crops and wealth. A person who becomes such a sanyasi, is by nature inclined towards such a life style. He is not interested in the life of a family man. He is inclined more for life of spiritual contemplation and studies. Such a person is involved only in activities which helps spiritual growth, like teaching, guiding and charity work.} 

_{4. The fourth kind of Sanyasi is called Phala sanyasi. They renounce the fruits of their action. Such a person is a karma Yogi and engages himself in devotional work. He performs his duties with out any attachment to results, only for the welfare of others with God always on his mind. Such a person has no desire or hatred for anything or anybody and he is always peaceful in mind.}

_{5. The fifth kind of sanyasa is also Phala sanyasa( Giving up fruit of action). He has all the qualities of the other phala sanyasa (the 4th kind) . In addition he gives up his ego ( ahankara).He does not think he does anything at all though he is engaged in all activities. He does not accumulate any Karma (papa or punya). Even if he commits a sin un knowingly. He can never do anything bad wilfully since he has no hatred, desire or fear. He is in union with Brahman and is said to be enlightened. This will be the ultimate goal of all the other kind of sanyasis. According to Lord Krishna a number of people have reached this stage.}

_{Lord Krishna says that one can attain liberation(Moksha) by devotional work of Karma yoga or by the life of sanyasi contemplating spiritual growth with knowledge. But He is in favour of Karma Yoga for Arjuna and most of us. We can all understand the enormous stress and dilemma Arjuna was facing as the leader of the Pandava Army. In order to win the war he had to kill his relatives, friends and teachers whom he revered immensely, because they were fighting for his enemy due to compulsion of loyalty.He also had to see people very dear to him on his army getting killed. When Krishna talks about the two options for liberation, no wonder the option of Sanyasa appeals to Arjuna. But Lord Krishna immediately points out that is not an option for him. Victory of panadavas and hence re establishment of Dharma ( righteousness) rested on Arjuna's shoulders. So he had to follow the active path of Karma Yoga and do his duty. And only after practicing Karma Yoga it will be easy to go to the next level of Sanyasa. Here Arjuna represents ordinary people of the earth but with lot more virtues and skills and responsibilities. We also face lot of stress and dilemma from time to time in our work places or homes,though our problems are far less than having to fight at Kurukshetra. In times like this we may want to quit everything. This is where we could apply the spiritual wisdom we have gained from Bhagvad Gita to our problems. what is good for Arjuna is good for us all too. War at Kurukshetra represents 3 conflicts. 1. War to regain territories lost by pandavas unjustly ( though this is definitely not the reason to fight and kill). 2. Reestablishing Dharma in the land which waned miserably due to the atrocities and greed of Kauravas and stupidity of the blind King Dritarashtra. 3. The internal conflict between the intellect and emotions of Arjuna.}

References  

 The Song of God translated by swami Prabhavananda and Christerpher Isherwood

 Lectures by Swami Tadathmananda of Arsha Bodha  from web site at  http://arshabodha.org/ab/wcms/en/home/teachings/index.html

Bhagavad-Gita As It Is by Swami Prabhupada

Note:  There is a book titled "Bhagvad Gita , A lyrical Translation for singing, chanting and recitation"  by Swami Tadathmananda. It is in English. You can get it from Arsha Bidha center whose site is given above.