(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)

Constant Discrimination is Essential to Ensure That our Ideas and Feelings are Acting in the Spirit of Yajna

कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मण: |
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गति: || 4.17||

karmaṇo hyapi boddhavyaṁ boddhavyaṁ cha vikarmaṇaḥ
akarmaṇaśh cha boddhavyaṁ gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ|| 17||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 4- Ver. 17:

Action should be understood, forbidden action should be understood, and inaction should be understood, because the nature of action is unexplainable.

Explanation

Constant use of discrimination is essential to ensure that our thoughts and feelings are working in the spirit of yajna.
Shree Krishna categorizes work into three categories: activity (karma), forbidden action (vikarm), and inaction (akarm). Action – The scriptures propose auspicious actions for regulating the senses and cleansing the mind. Action that is not permitted – Vikarm is an inauspicious deed that the scriptures forbid since it is harmful and leads to the degeneration of the soul. Inaction – Akarm refers to deeds that are carried out without regard for the outcome, solely for the pleasure of God. They have no karmic consequences and do not ensnare the soul.

Verse & what we can learn

One has to be constantly vigilant of one’s thoughts, feelings and actions to completely do everything in the spirit of yajna.

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 are 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 verse, Shri Krishna tells Arjuna about wise people.

Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…