The idea of Karma Yoga is to transform work into meditation. The philosophy behind it is to utilize our daily work as a means to get close to Brahman. Coming close to Brahman is the source of happiness. How does one get close to it? As per the idea of Karma Yoga, the way is that in whatever you do:
- Avoid carelessness. Do your work well.
- Uplift others through your work. Your work should aim to do the highest possible good of others.
- Follow the Yamas – the ten classical restraints.
Ishvara Pranidhana or Ishvara Arpana Buddhi is the state of mind that leads to the attitude of doing excellent work wholeheartedly. Once engaged in work with that attitude, the detachment from its outcome is natural. This nishfala-karma is what leads to chitta-shuddhi (mental purification), which leads to the state of bliss. The attainment of, or even a drift towards, bliss takes a yogi closer to Brahman.
Karma Yoga is a pursuit of accruing positive karma through self-less service to others and being meditative about our work. Meditative about as many things as we encounter – there are as many opportunities as there are interactions and objects.
Krishna conversed about Karma Yoga with Arjuna at length (Bhagavad Gita) on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Observing your mind and your intelligence and keeping them in samaatva (equanimity) when you do any work is called Karma Yoga. The goal of a karma yogi should be to float in detachment and dis-identification – I am not the doer.
Karma Yoga can be the gang-plank to spirituality for the materialists in this world. Karma Yoga is also the least taxing for the busybodies of this world – continue your worldly pursuits, but be thoughtful and meditative about them.
धार्मिक छवियाँ 