Wisdom in action

Sri Bhagavan first taught the immortal Yoga to Vivasvan, the Sun-god.

The Rajarsis, or royal sages, are described as the ones who knew this Yoga.

Krishna is speaking to Arjuna in this verse. This is significant because Arjuna is not only Krishna's devotee but also his dear friend. This relationship is the reason Krishna chooses to impart the ancient and supreme knowledge of Yoga to him, highlighting the importance of trust and friendship in the transmission of sacred teachings.

In this verse, Arjuna is questioning Krishna. He is curious about how Krishna, who appears to be of recent origin, could have taught Yoga to Vivasvan, who existed in ancient times.

In this verse, Arjuna is being addressed as 'O subduer of the enemy' by Lord Krishna. This title highlights Arjuna's prowess and success in battle, emphasizing his role as a great warrior.

Krishna states that He is birthless and deathless, signifying His eternal and unchanging nature.

Krishna explains that whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, He manifests Himself. This indicates His commitment to restoring balance and upholding Dharma in the world.

Krishna's incarnations have three main purposes: to protect the virtuous, to destroy the evil-doers, and to establish Dharma, or righteousness, on a firm foundation.

In this verse, Lord Krishna is speaking to Arjuna. He explains the divine nature of His birth and actions and the significance of understanding this truth.

The verse mentions that the devotees are completely rid of passion, fear, and anger.

The speaker of the verse is Lord Krishna, and he is addressing Arjuna, his devoted disciple and friend, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

In this verse, it is mentioned that the gods are eager for the success of works.

The verse states that the four orders of society were created by Krishna.

Krishna states that He has no craving for the fruits of actions. This lack of attachment prevents actions from contaminating Him.

The ancient seekers for liberation mentioned in the verse are the spiritual aspirants from the past who sought freedom and enlightenment through their actions.

The nature of action and inaction is complex and often misunderstood. Even those with intelligence can find it difficult to discern the true essence of these concepts because actions can have visible and invisible dimensions, and the intention behind actions plays a crucial role. This complexity can lead to confusion, which is why a deeper understanding is necessary.

The three aspects that must be known are action, inaction, and prohibited action.

The quality of a wise man, as described in this verse, is the ability to see inaction in action and action in inaction.

A person is called a sage when all their undertakings are free from desire and worldly thoughts, and their actions are burnt up by the fire of wisdom.

This verse explains that a person who has renounced attachment to both actions and their outcomes can perform actions without any personal involvement. Their mind is not attached to the results, and they act selflessly and without ego. Thus, even though they are physically engaged in actions, they do not accumulate karma, as their actions are performed without any selfish desires or expectations.

The verse states that a person who has subdued his mind and body, given up all objects of enjoyment, and is free from craving performs actions without incurring sin.

The Karmayogi is described as being contented with whatever is received without seeking. This means that he does not actively pursue material gains but accepts what comes naturally with satisfaction. This contentment helps him maintain inner peace and remain unaffected by external circumstances.

The actions of a person who is free from attachment melt away. This occurs because their mind is established in knowledge and they perform actions solely for the sake of sacrifice. Such a person is not bound by the fruits of their actions.

Brahma is depicted as all aspects of the sacrifice. Brahma is the ladle used for offering, the oblation being offered, and the fire into which offerings are made. This highlights the unity and pervasiveness of Brahma in every aspect of the ritual.

In this verse, two types of sacrifices are described. Some yogis perform sacrifices by worshipping the gods. Others undertake a more introspective form of sacrifice by offering their own self into the fire of Brahman, a process which involves realizing the oneness of the self with the ultimate reality.

To offer the sacrifice of the senses to the self means to focus one's sensory perceptions inwardly, directing them towards self-realization and inner growth rather than external distractions. This act encourages self-awareness and control over one's senses, which can lead to deeper spiritual understanding and mastery over desires.

Yogis sacrifice all the functions of their senses and the functions of the vital airs into the fire of Yoga. This sacrifice is performed through self-control and is illuminated by wisdom.

The verse mentions several types of sacrifices: sacrifices with material possessions, sacrifices in the form of austerities, sacrifices through the practice of Yoga, and sacrifices in the form of wisdom through the study of sacred texts.

In this verse, it is described that some yogis practice offering the act of exhalation into inhalation, and vice versa. There are also those who focus on breath-control, or Pranayama, by regulating both exhalation and inhalation. These practices aim to harmonize the vital airs within the body.

To be a 'knower of sacrifice' means to understand and embody the principles of self-discipline and self-offering. In the context of prāṇān-prāṇeṣu juhvati, it reflects a deep awareness of how life's energies are interconnected and how offering one's life energy in the service of a higher purpose purifies and uplifts the soul. It is about recognizing the sacredness of everyday actions and dedicating them as an offering.

Those who eat the remnants of sacrifices attain the eternal Brahman.

The many forms of sacrifice are detailed through the mouth of the Vedas. This indicates that the Vedic scriptures provide comprehensive guidance on various sacrificial practices.

In , Arjuna is addressed as 'son of Kunti'.

The 'wise seers of Truth' are enlightened beings or spiritual masters who have realized the ultimate truth. They possess deep understanding and knowledge of the spiritual realm and are capable of guiding others on the path of enlightenment.

When Arjuna reaches enlightenment, ignorance will no longer delude him.

In this verse, knowledge is compared to a raft that can carry one across the ocean of sins. This metaphor suggests that just as a raft helps a person cross a river or a sea, knowledge can help one transcend and overcome their sins, no matter how grave they may be.

Krishna compares Knowledge to a blazing fire that turns fuel to ashes, illustrating how the fire of Knowledge burns away all actions, rendering them powerless and without residue.

The verse states that there is nothing on earth as purifying as Knowledge. Knowledge is considered the supreme purifier among all things, according to Krishna.

The verse highlights three essential qualities for attaining knowledge: faithfulness, devotion, and self-control. These qualities work together to prepare a person’s mind and heart for true understanding. When an individual possesses faith in the teachings, dedicates themselves to the pursuit, and controls their senses, they become receptive to higher knowledge.

The verse describes three qualities that lead a person away from the spiritual path: lack of discrimination, absence of faith, and a mind filled with doubt. These three together cause a person to lose direction and become disconnected from spiritual progress.

Krishna is addressing Arjuna, also known as Dhananjaya, on the battlefield. He is guiding Arjuna on the path of selfless action and knowledge, reassuring him about the true nature of karma for a wise and self-controlled person.

Arjuna is instructed to cut away the doubt born of ignorance that resides in his heart. Krishna tells him to use the sword of wisdom, meaning knowledge and discernment, to destroy these doubts.