Karma Yoga
From Wiki4CAM
The Sanskrit term Karma means is action or deed and the result of action. According to Jaimini Rishi, Karma is the performance of Agnihotra and other Vedic rituals. Gita says any action done with Nishkamya Bhava is Karma. In general the total sum of our acts during the present and precedcing births are Karma. Karma Yoga is the path of selfless action in which one acts without expecting the fruits of one´s actions. When the practice is successful it results in a balanced mind. It purifies the heart and prepares the Antahkarana (the heart and the mind) for the reception of Divine Light or attainment if Knowledge of the Self. One has to serve humanity without any attachment or egoism.
If the Karma Yoga is practiced, it prepares the aspirant for the reception of knowledge of the Self. It makes one as proper Adhikari (aspirant) for the study of Vedanta. The mind is filled with likes and dislikes, jealousy, etc. They indulge in all sorts of useless controversies, vain debates and dry, endless discussions. Selfless service is the only way to remove the impurities lurking in the mind.
Karma Yoga in Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita teaches about Karma and its Yoga. It says who sees inaction in action and action in inaction, he is wise among men; he is a Yogi and performer of all actions[1]. In another instance it says verily the true nature of action (enjoined by the scriptures) should be known, also (that) of forbidden (or unlawful) action, and of inaction; hard to understand is the nature (path) of action[2]. He whose undertakings are all devoid of desires and (selfish) purposes, and whose actions have been burnt by the fire of knowledge, him the wise call a sage, this is also described in the Gita [3] Other lines in context to Karma Yoga are the following: Having abandoned attachment to the fruits of actions, ever content, depending on nothing, he does not do anything though engaged in activity[4]. To one who is devoid of attachment, who is liberated, whose mind is established in knowledge, who works for the sake of sacrifice (for the sake of God), the whole action is dissolved [5].
