(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)

The Path of Karma Yoga Leads to Liberation

एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभि: |
कुरु कर्मैव तस्मात्त्वं पूर्वै: पूर्वतरं कृतम् || 4.15||

evaṁ jñātvā kṛitaṁ karma pūrvair api mumukṣhubhiḥ
kuru karmaiva tasmāttvaṁ pūrvaiḥ pūrvataraṁ kṛitam|| 4.15||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 4- Ver. 15:

Even seekers of liberation in ancient times, knowing this fact, took action. As a result, you should follow in the footsteps of those old sages and carry out your responsibilities.

Explanation

Following the footsteps of ancient sages one should perform his duties in the spirit of yajna.

The “I” is the eternal essence, as these ancient seekers knew. It is not the one who acts and has nothing to gain from the outcomes of those actions. As a result, they continued to carry out activities, committing them to the ultimate ideal, Ishvaraa, and purifying their thoughts in the process.

Shri Krishna further underlines that this teaching did not stop the ancient seekers from acting, i.e., they did not leave their responsibilities and go to the wilderness. They continued to work in the world, but with a karma yoga mindset.

Shri Krishna continually reminded Arjuna that karma yoga is not a new teaching; it was always a way of life that was lost due to the passage of time.

Verse & what we can learn

When one follows the path of karma yoga following the footsteps of ancient sages one can achieve liberation.

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 action and inaction.

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