248. Karma is the Foundation

It is generally believed that Bhagavad Gita prescribes three paths for attaining self-realisation. These are sankhya yoga - a path of awareness for the intellect oriented, bhakti yoga - a path of surrender for the heart oriented and karma yoga - a path of action for the mind oriented.

Krishna says that only children, not the wise, speak of sankhya and karma yoga as different. He who is truly established in one obtains fruits of both (5.4). This is an indication that only children or beginners believe these three paths to be separate.

As we progress through the Bhagavad Gita, it becomes clearer that these three paths intertwine and complement one another. This leads to clarity that karma is the foundation for all these paths as each path involves some form of karma or another. For awareness, one could begin with reading, serving a master or meditating. In the case of bhakti, it could be ritualistic to begin with but in the end, it is seeing Him even in a thief, an enemy as well as a donkey. It is realising that He looks as if divided in living beings though He is indivisible (13.17).

At the end of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna concludes about karma yoga and says that each karma is inherently marred by blemishes. This frees us from the guilt and hatred we carry about our karmas as our divisive mind keeps labelling them as good and bad. He encourages us to keep performing sahaja karma (natural deed) bestowed upon us by the present moment to the best of our abilities.

Whatever the path may be, it is about performing karma realising that ideal karma is elusive; performing without attachment; without expecting fruits of action and by dropping hatred as well as desire. Krishna assures that devotion to swa-karma (one’s own deeds) leads to siddhi (perfection or freedom), for this very dedication is nothing but worshipping Him (18.45).