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Lord Sri Krishna said, “I taught this eternal science of Yoga to Vivasvat, who passed it on to Manu who in turn instructed it to Ikshvaku. O scorcher of enemies, the saintly Kings thus received this science of Yoga in a continuous tradition but with the long passage of time, it was lost to the world” | |
“I am revealing to you this day about that same ancient yoga, the supreme secret, for you are My devotee and friend”. | |
Arjuna said, "You were born after Vivasvat. How am I to understand that in the beginning You instructed this science of yoga to him?" Sri Krishna replied, "Arjuna, you and I had many births. You have forgotten them, while I remember them all, O scorcher of foes." | |
"Although I am unborn, the Lord of all living beings and have an imperishable nature, yet I appear in this world by virtue of Yogamaya, My divine power." | |
"Arjuna, whenever dharma declines and adharma dominates, I manifest Myself. In visible form, I appear in every yuga to protect the virtuous and destroy evil in order to reestablish righteousness." | |
"Those who know the divine nature of My birth and activities, do not have to take birth again after leaving the body. They attain me, O Arjuna." | |
"Free from attachment, fear and anger, completely engrossed and taking refuge in Me, many beings have become purified in the fire of wisdom and attained Me" | |
"O Partha, in whatever way people are devoted to Me, accordingly I manifest Myself to them. Knowingly or unknowingly, everyone follows My path," | |
“Those desiring success in this world worship the celestial gods, since material rewards manifest quickly” | |
"The four categories of occupations were created by Me according to gunas and actions. Although I am the Creator, know Me as the Non-doer beyond all change" | |
"Actions do not cause attachment in Me, nor do I have longing for their fruits. He who is identified with Me, who knows My nature, is also free from the karmic fetters of works." | |
“Knowing this truth, even seekers of salvation in ancient times performed actions. Therefore, you too should perform duty following in their footsteps”. "What is action and what is inaction? Even the wise are confused but now I shall explain to you the secret of action, by knowing which, you may free yourself from material bondage." "The nature of karma is very difficult to know. In order to fully understand the nature of proper action, one has also to understand the nature of contrary action and the nature of inaction." | |
"He who beholds inaction in action and action in inaction is a yogi among men. He has attained the goal of all actions" | |
"The sages call those people wise, whose every action is free from the desire for material pleasures and whose activities are purified in the fire of divine knowledge." | |
"Relinquishing attachment to the fruits of work, always content and not dependent, the wise do not perform any action even in the midst of activities." | |
"Free from expectations and sense of ownership, with the mind and intellect fully controlled, they incur no sin even though performing actions in the body." | |
"Content with whatever gain comes of its own accord, and free from envy, they are beyond the dualities of life. Being equipoised in success and failure, they are not bound by their actions, even while performing all kinds of activities" | |
"One who performs all actions as a sacrifice, who is free from attachments and whose intellect is established in divine wisdom is freed from all karma" | |
"For him who is completely absorbed in God-consciousness, the oblation is Brahman, the ladle with which it is offered is Brahman, the act of offering is Brahman, and the sacrificial fire is also Brahman. Such a person views everything as God and easily attains Him." | |
“Some yogis perform sacrifice pertaining to the Gods only, others by offering their self as sacrifice in the fire of Brahman” | |
“Others offer hearing and other senses in the sacrificial fire of restraint. Still others offer sound and other objects of the senses as sacrifice in the fire of the senses.” “Some, inspired by knowledge, offer the functions of all their senses and their life energy in the fire of the controlled mind.” “Some offer their wealth as sacrifice, while others offer severe austerities as sacrifice. Some practice the eightfold path of yoga, and yet others study the scriptures and cultivate knowledge as sacrifice, while observing strict vows.” | |
"Other devotees offer as sacrifice the incoming breath of prana in the outgoing breath of apana, and the outgoing breath of apana in the incoming breath of prana, thus arresting the cause of inhalation and exhalation by intent practice of pranayama" "Yet others curtail their food intake and offer the breath into the life-energy as sacrifice. All these knowers of sacrifice are cleansed of their impurities as a result of such performances." | |
"Those who partake the nectar like remnants of sacrifice, advance toward the Absolute Truth. O best of the Kurus, those who perform no sacrifice find no happiness in this world." | |
"Various forms of yajnas are thus mentioned in the Vedas. Know them all to be born of action from the mouth of God; understanding this, you will attain liberation." | |
"O Arjuna, the spiritual fire ceremony of wisdom is superior to any material ritual. All action in its entirety is consummated in wisdom" | |
"Learn the Truth by approaching a spiritual master. Ask questions with reverence and render service to him. Such an enlightened one can impart knowledge to you because he has seen the Truth." | |
"Having achieved enlightenment from a Guru, O Arjuna, you will no longer fall into delusion. In the light of that wisdom, you will see that all creation is within Me." | |
"Even if you are considered the chief sinner of all sinners, you can still cross this ocean of material existence in the boat of divine wisdom" | |
"O Arjuna, as a flame converts firewood into ashes, so the fire of wisdom consumes all karma to ashes" | |
"Nothing in this world is as purifying as wisdom. In due course of time, the devotee who is successful in yoga will spontaneously realize this within his Self." | |
"The devotee who has faith and who controls senses, eventually gains transcendental wisdom. Having attained such divine wisdom, he quickly establishes himself in permanent peace." | |
"But ignorant people who do not have devotion and who are of a doubting nature, suffer a downfall. For the skeptical souls, there is no happiness either in this world or the next." | |
"O Arjuna, Karma does not bind those who have renounced actions in the fire of yoga, whose doubts have been dispelled by knowledge, and who are established in the knowledge of the Self." “Therefore, O scion of Bharata, arise! With the sword of wisdom, crush the doubts that have arisen in your heart and establish yourself in Karma yoga! |