253. Confluence of Yogas

 


Verses 18.41 to 18.57 of the Bhagavad Gita describe the contours of the confluence of karma yoga, jnana yoga and bhakti yoga. In the often-debated verse 18.41, Krishna states that He created four varnas (social classifications) based on gunas springing from their nature. He further explained about different types of karmas performed by them in day-to-day life (18.42-18.44). He reveals a secret that with devotion to swa-karma (one’s deed) one attains siddhi (perfection or freedom) as this devotion towards karma is nothing but worshipping Him (18.45-18.46). This clarifies that it doesn’t matter what we do but what matters is the devotion with which we perform our karmas or responsibilities. This is the path of attaining the eternal siddhi through devotion to karma which is nothing but the pinnacle of karma yoga.

Krishna continues to guide those on the path of awareness or jnana yoga and declares that all the karmas are marred by blemishes (18.48). Hence, He advises us not to abandon sahaja karma (natural deeds) born of one’s swa-dharma (own nature) (18.47). He offers the path of reaching Brahma (eternal) through ‘freedom from karma’ which can be attained by the buddhi (intellect) not being attached everywhere, conquering the self and freeing oneself from desires (18.49-18.50). When buddhi is purified, one is free from ahankaar and free from the notion of ‘me and mine’, one attains the Eternal.

Krishna indicates that freedom from ahankaar and being free from the notion of ‘me and mine’ lead to equanimity which is the foundation for bhakti yoga. Krishna says that by beholding all beings equally one attains parama bhakti (supreme devotion) which will enable an entry into ‘That’ (18.54-18.55). Such a devotee while performing any kind of karma dedicates all such karmas to Him (18.56).

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