Karma-yoga

Theme and purpose

Karma-yoga: Kṛṣṇa prescribes action based on niṣkāma-karma-yoga rather than premature renunciation based on jñāna-yoga. Even if Arjuna is qualified for renunciation, he should still do niṣkāma-karma-yoga to set the right example. Lust is a formidable enemy on the path of yoga and one has to conquer it by deliberate spiritual intelligence.

How this chapter connects

Sections and key teachings

1. 3.1–2 Arjuna’s Confusion – ‘Renunciation or Action?’
2. 3.3–9 Niṣkāma-Karma-Yoga is better for Arjuna than Jñāna-yoga
   3 subsections

   • 3.3 Two types of people - jñāna-yogīs who renouce work and karma-yogīs who do prescribed work.
   • 3.4–5 Premature renunciation of work is not recommended, because inaction is unnatural
   • 3.6–9 A pretender externally renouces work but internally dwells on sense objects. Better perform prescribed work for Viṣṇu and avoid bondage.
3. 3.10–16 From Karma-kāṇḍa to Karma-yoga
   3 subsections

   • 3.10–11 Attaining happiness by sacrifice (yajña) and cooperation between men and demigods.
   • 3.12–13 One should eat food which is first offered in sacrifce, otherwise he is a thief
   • 3.14–16 Cycle of sacrifce. Life becomes sinful without sacrifce
4. 3.17–35 Niṣkāma-karma-yoga to Set the Right Example
   5 subsections

   • 3.17–19 A self-realized soul need not work, yet he works as an obligation with detachment
   • 3.20–24 Kings like Janaka and even Kṛṣṇa engage in work to set example, as common people follow a great person.
   • 3.25–29 A karma-yogī works with detachment and doesn’t disturb the ignorant men who think themselves the doers.
   • 3.30–32 Working for Kṛṣṇa and the results of following and not following His orders
   • 3.33–35 One should do one’s own duty according to one’s nature for purification, instead of imitating others.
5. 3.36–43 Conquering Lust, the Greatest Enemy
   2 subsections

   • 3.37–40 Insatiable lust causes material entanglement, covers knowledge and influences in three degrees.
   • 3.41–43 One can conquer lust by regulating the senses and making the mind steady by deliberate spiritual intelligence.

All verses

3.1–2

• 3.1
• 3.2

3.3–9

• 3.3
• 3.4
• 3.5
• 3.6
• 3.7
• 3.8
• 3.9

3.10–16

• 3.10
• 3.11
• 3.12
• 3.13
• 3.14
• 3.15
• 3.16

3.17–35

• 3.17
• 3.18
• 3.19
• 3.20
• 3.21
• 3.22
• 3.23
• 3.24
• 3.25
• 3.26
• 3.27
• 3.28
• 3.29
• 3.30
• 3.31
• 3.32
• 3.33
• 3.34
• 3.35

3.36–43

• 3.36
• 3.37
• 3.38
• 3.39
• 3.40
• 3.41
• 3.42
• 3.43