(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)

Body Should Be Active and the Mind Should Be Immersed in Divine Consciousness

न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् |
कार्यते ह्यवश: कर्म सर्व: प्रकृतिजैर्गुणै: || 3.5||

na hi kaśhchit kṣhaṇam api jātu tiṣhṭhatyakarma-kṛit
kāryate hyavaśhaḥ karma sarvaḥ prakṛiti-jair guṇaiḥ|| 3.5||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 3- Ver. 5:

No one can remain still, even if just for a brief while. The gunaas born of prakriti drive all beings to act involuntarily.

Explanation

Because all creatures are formed up of prakriti, Shri Krishna informs us that all beings have no choice except to act. He explains that prakriti is made up of three gunaas, or energies or forces that make up the universe as a whole. All actions performed with the body, mind, and tongue are considered actions by Shree Krishna.

A person’s gunas, or personality attributes, dictate the type of activity you engage in. Gunas are divided into three categories:

Tamas refers to the lowest level of disinterest, laziness, and willful disobedience that can result from ignorance.
The intermediate state of passion, desire-driven activity, restlessness, attachment, and the resulting mental agitation and stress is known as Rajas.

Sattva refers to the ultimate, most sublime condition of serenity, tranquillity, and purity that results from the absence of desire. Because of entire immersion in the higher, it is a state of dispassion towards the world.
Inactivity is impossible for humans to achieve, according to Shree Krishna, because the body-mind-intellect machinery is compelled by its own make-up of the three gunas.

Verse & what we can learn

Wanting to leave material life is not a solution for anything, instead keeping the body active in work and mentally immersing oneself in the divine consciousness will lead to spiritual development.

• What does Bhagavad gita say about action?
• What does Krishna say about action?
• What does action in inaction mean?
• Do you not be attached to inaction?

These are all the questions that a sadhaka will have during the spiritual journey and Shri Krishna answers and gives full clarity on these aspects and action is better than inaction in Bhagavad gita. Which Shri Krishna tells in Yoga of action Bhagavad gita Karma Yoga.

To be active physically and mentally a disciplined lifestyle and control over senses are very essential and to achieve this daily meditation is very important. 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 talks to Arjuna more in-depth about the nature of action.

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