01/28/2022
Gyan yoga, Karam yoga, Bhakti yoga:
Three Paths or Three Steps on the Same Path?
More often than not, we hear that Gyan yoga, Karam yoga and Bhakti yoga are the three (alternative) paths to the same goal, that is God Realization.
God realization essentially means realizing that the origin of all; animate or inanimate on this earth and in the universe, is that primordial energy, that is the beginning, middle and end of all; that is unmanifest to human eye; that takes diverse forms. There is thus, to begin with, oneness in all forms. (However, later in life due to predominance of Sattav, Rajas or Tamas Gunas (attitudes), we see classifications, divisions and categories of forms and people).
The Purpose of God Realization
The Biggest benefit of God Realization is attaining an attitude of ‘moksha’, living and performing your duties without attachment.
In more practical terms, the biggest benefit is to see your duty above yourself (body or physical comfort).
That is exactly, what Lord Krishna wanted Arjuna to realize in the battlefield of Kurukshetra in the Mahabharata War.
And to help him realize this, Lord Krishna talked to him Gyanyoga, Karamyoga and Bhaktiyoga.
Looking at it the way it has been introduced or discussed by Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita, we may notice that in the opening words of Lord Krishna (Chapter 2) he explains to Arjuna Gyanyoga and Karamyoga. Bhaktiyoga is introduced in the Chapter 12 only. And again, in the closing words (Chapter 18), between Gyanyoga (Actionless) and Karamyoga (detached action), Karamyoga is stated as (easier) more suitable for him. And to provide further comfort to Arjuna, Lord Krishna says, if you still have doubt as a Karam yogi, be devoted to me (Action for Me, the Supreme God).
Gyanyoga, Karamyoga and Bhaktiyoga are thus three steps on the same path to realize God and do your duty, not alternative paths.
In daily work and life also, you hardly achieve anything by just understanding the nature, algorithm or anatomy of an activity. Neither you do by singing praises of the achievers. It is only by doing, by executing, you achieve anything in work and life. It is acceptable that understanding nature of an activity helps and doing or executing an activity for and on behalf of someone you respect and regard; cause, guru or deity, comforts you. A good example can be requesting for donations. You would agree that requesting for donations for yourself is so much difficult, whereas requesting for donation for a cause, institution, guru or deity is so much easier.
Fundamental Message of Bhagavad Gita
For me thus, the fundamental message of Bhagavad Gita for humanity, and more so for Hindus in the modern world, is:
Be a Karam yogi. Equip yourself with Gyan yoga and Bhakti yoga and be an unwavering Karam yogi.
