What is Karma Yoga? And who is Karma Yogi?

“You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action,” Krishna tells Arjuna (verse 2.47). With this simple phrase, Krishna sets out the essential principles of the Bhagavad Gita’s doctrine of Karma Yoga.

Karma Yoga is the first step for those who are interested in following a spiritual path. Even if you are not spiritually inclined, Karma Yoga is the Yoga that is applicable and relevant in your daily life too.

Who is Karma Yogi?
Krishna says, “Karma Yogi is someone who is neither elated by good fortune nor depressed by bad. Such a person is free from attachment, fear, and anger.”

In this episode, we discuss

1. Story of a hare and a tortoise and what tortoise teaches us to be a Karma Yogi. 
2. A story of a man who dug the mountain to create a path for the villagers. 
3. We discuss Karma Kanda using the example of the famous movie Oh My God- OMG

What is Karma Kanda?

In the Vedas, there are three divisions or Kandas – Karma Kanda, Jnana Kanda, and Upasana Kanda. Karma Kanda is the section of the Vedas that lists rituals, ceremonies, and actions, which, when performed, lead one to power and prosperity. On the other hand, Jnana Kanda comprises of philosophical teachings and knowledge. And Upasana Kanda has more to do with Bhakti or devotion.

Finally,
Krishna says, “When you keep thinking about objects, attachment comes. Attachment breeds desire. Such desires develop a lust for possessions, and from lust, anger arises. From anger comes delusion. Delusion degrades one’s way of thinking, and when thinking is degraded, intelligence is lost. And when the intelligence is destroyed, a person is lost (verses 2.63-64)”