Summary of Feb 23rd class

Summary of Feb 23^rd class

We will now go deep into Chapter 4 which is titled “Yoga of ending action in knowledge”.  As the tittle suggests this is the chapter where Lord Krishna is introducing Arjuna to the knowledge that forms the basis of the path of renunciation. A quick summary will help, so that we connect the logic that is being developed. 

End of Chapter 2 Lord Krishna gave Arjuna 2 paths.  The path of action and the path of renunciation or knowledge.  Chapter 3 establishes that for all of us who are typically action oriented, the path of action is preferred.  At the end of Chapter 3 the Lord tells Arjuna that in spite of knowing the path of action we struggle to act accordingly because of our deep rooted attachments and desires.  Attachment or desire is rooted in the mind.  It is obvious that no amount of action can change the mind.  It is the mind that controls our actions and not the other way around. So clearly the mind has to be acted upon and that is possible only through letting the Intellect reign supreme.  For that to happen we must have a clear logic established, that the intellect can base itself on.

It is this Knowledge that the Lord has now started to reveal to Arjuna.  Last class we saw how the Lord established that this knowledge was eternal and also Lord Krishna start revealing his true nature which is consciousness.

The Lord then says that the knowledge is available to all, there are no prerequisites.  How the knowledge is understood and used by an individual is completely dependent on the individual’s personal dispositions.  This is like electricity; electricity does not care as to what appliance it flows through.  The heater heats or the fan spins because of the way the heater and the fan are constructed, electricity powers both irrespective. 

To drive home the point Lord Krishna declares that the caste system is set up on the basis of Gunas and Karma.  Guna are the qualities like Sattva (contemplative), Rajas (action oriented) and Tamas (in action or indolent).  It is important to note that birth is not mentioned as a reason. Also there is no mention of one caste being superior or inferior.  The present day caste system is a far far cry from a division of labor system that the vedic thought established. 

Percentage of Gunas	Sattva	Rajas	Tamas
Brahman	70	20	10
Kshatriya	20	70	10
Vaishya	10	70	20
Shudra	10	20	70

Lord Krishna then talks about different types of actions.  We have daily duties, Duties on special occasions and desire prompted duties. Then Lord Krishna makes a very interesting comment in verse 18, and says that the wise find action in inaction and inaction in action.  When we choose to be contemplative and are sitting still deep in thought, there is no physical action however the wise knows that our Intellect is hard at work and that is action. Further the wise man looks at his  own actions as a witness, he is not swept away with the on goings and remains detached in this way he finds inaction in the middle of all the action.  

In Verse 24 Lord Krishna talks about the omnipresence of consciousness.  He says that Consciousness or Brahman enlivens everything that we do, the act of doing and the object that is being worked on.  The example is that of an offerings being made in a sacrificial fire.  The fire, the ghee as the offering,  the act of pouring the Ghee and the person doing the offering are all enlivened by Brahman and are also manifestations of Brahman.  This verse captures the sense of acute awareness that we need to build in ourselves as we interact with the world around us.