Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyasa Yogam Verse 50:
(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)
Regular Karma Yoga Practice Leads To The Realization Of Spiritual Insight
सिद्धिं प्राप्तो यथा ब्रह्म तथाप्नोति निबोध मे |
समासेनैव कौन्तेय निष्ठा ज्ञानस्य या परा || 18.50||
siddhiṁ prāpto yathā brahma tathāpnoti nibodha me
samāsenaiva kaunteya niṣhṭhā jñānasya yā parā|| 18.50||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 18- Ver. 50:
Learn from me briefly, O Kaunteya, that absolute commitment to wisdom, how one who has gained perfection also unquestionably attains the eternal essence.
Explanation
Reading about theoretical knowledge is one thing, but putting it into practise is quite another. It is stated that while good ideas are plentiful, if you don’t act on them, they are worthless. Theoretical pundits may have all the texts memorized in their heads, but they lack understanding. The karma yogis, on the other hand, have opportunity day and night to put the principles of the scriptures into reality.
Spiritual wisdom is realized through the regular practise of karma yoga. Transcendental knowledge also becomes accessible through experience when one reaches the perfection of naihkarmya-siddhi, or actionlessness while carrying out task. The karma yogi achieves the utmost perfection of God-realization by remaining fixed in that awareness. In the following few verses, Shree Krishna explain how this occurs.
Verse & what we can learn
The seeker approaches the stage of sanyaasa, or total renunciation of action, after having fewer cravings, purifying his mind, and learning about the aatmaa, or self, from a qualified teacher. The steps for entering and developing the condition of renunciation are described in chapters five and six.
Here, the term “siddhi” refers to the mental clarity attained by karma yoga. The goal of sannyasa is jnyaana nishthaa, also known as nidhidhyaasana or commitment to knowledge. This is the answer to the question of how monks spend the majority of their time. The monk devotes his time exclusively to unceasing contemplation and self-abidance; doing nothing more than what is necessary to keep his body alive.
We must keep in mind that the self has already been reached; more exertion is not required. The only thing we need to do is eliminate ourselves of the no-self, or, to put it another way, use karma and bhakti to purify our minds. Shri Krishna makes a point of highlighting this by using the word “know” (nibodha). Since sanyasa is the final level of yoga, there is nothing extra to be done there.
To acquire knowledge and to implement that knowledge in life one needs to be mentally and physically active and healthy and for that daily meditation is a great tool.
There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There is also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.
In the next shlokas Shri Krishna explains about attaining Brahman.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…