KARMA YOGA - 7. KARMA YOGA IN THE GITA - Sri Swami Sivananda – The Practice of Karma Yoga

Sri Swami Sivananda – The Practice of Karma Yoga – Chapter 7: Karma Yoga In The Gita - FULL English Translation of all Sanskrit Words.

In Chapter 7 of The Practice of Karma Yoga, Sri Swami Sivananda explores the profound teachings of Karma Yoga as presented in the Bhagavad Gita. Karma Yoga, or the yoga of selfless action, is an essential path for spiritual growth and liberation. Swami Sivananda delves deeply into the essence of this teaching and how it is intricately connected to the principles laid out in the Bhagavad Gita. In this chapter, he provides an insightful interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita's verses on karma, encouraging practitioners to cultivate the discipline of selfless action for the highest spiritual realization.

1. The Wheel of the Universe
In this sub-chapter, Swami Sivananda explains the concept of the "Wheel of the Universe" as an analogy to the cyclical nature of creation, preservation, and destruction. He explains that the universe operates on a divine plan and that each individual is a small but vital cog in this grand cosmic wheel. Just as the wheel turns according to the laws of nature, human beings must align their actions with this natural order. Karma, as described in the Gita, is the law of action and reaction. It is important to recognize that one’s actions should not be detached from the larger cosmic process, but instead should contribute harmoniously to the flow of the universe. By practicing selfless action, individuals transcend the egoistic cycle of actions driven by selfish desires and begin to act in alignment with the Divine will.

2. Scope for Personal Exertion
Swami Sivananda further explains that while the universe operates according to cosmic laws, there is still a scope for personal exertion and individual effort. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna teaches Arjuna that even though the ultimate results of actions are governed by divine will, individuals are not absolved of their duty to act. Human beings are endowed with free will to make choices, and they must use this capacity to perform their duties (dharma) selflessly. Swami Sivananda emphasizes that personal effort, when aligned with the Divine, is the key to spiritual progress. He encourages practitioners to not shirk their responsibilities but to engage in work that benefits both themselves and society. By doing so, individuals purify their hearts and develop qualities of detachment, humility, and devotion to the Divine. 

3. Prakriti Does Everything
This sub-chapter focuses on the concept of Prakriti, or nature, as the driving force behind all actions in the universe. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna explains that Prakriti, made up of the three gunas (sattva, rajas, and tamas), is responsible for the actions performed by all beings. Swami Sivananda elaborates on this by saying that all actions, whether performed by humans, animals, or plants, are governed by the influence of the gunas of Prakriti. Human beings, though equipped with the faculty of discernment, are still bound by these natural forces. However, the key to spiritual growth lies in realizing that one's true self (Atman) is beyond the influence of Prakriti. By identifying with the Atman rather than the ego, a practitioner can transcend the effects of the gunas and perform actions selflessly without attachment to the results. 

4. Action and Inaction
Swami Sivananda takes a deep dive into the philosophical distinction between action and inaction, as discussed in the Bhagavad Gita. On the surface, it may appear that inaction is a form of detachment or renunciation, but the Gita teaches that true renunciation is not inaction, but the renunciation of the fruits of action. Swami Sivananda explains that when one performs actions with attachment to the outcomes, those actions create bondage and lead to further entanglement in...