Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita is called “Karma Yoga” or “The Yoga of Action.” In this chapter, Lord Krishna continues to counsel Arjuna on the importance of performing one’s duty without attachment to the fruits of action. He explains that the path of Karma Yoga is the path to attain liberation and that by performing one’s duty with a sense of detachment and devotion to God, one can overcome the bonds of karma and attain a state of spiritual consciousness.
The chapter begins with Arjuna asking Lord Krishna to explain the nature of action and how one can attain liberation while still engaged in action. Lord Krishna responds by stating that one can attain liberation by performing an action in a spirit of detachment and devotion to God. He explains that the actions themselves are not binding, but rather it is the attachment to the fruits of action that creates bondage.
He then goes on to explain that one should perform their duty without attachment to the fruits of action, and with a sense of detachment and devotion to God. He states that by performing an action in this way, one can overcome the bonds of karma and attain a state of spiritual consciousness. He also explains that by performing one’s duty in this way, one can attain a state of equanimity and inner peace, regardless of the outcome of the action.
Lord Krishna also explains the concept of renunciation of action, stating that true renunciation is not giving up action, but rather giving up attachment to the fruits of action. He states that one who renounces the fruits of action, attains peace and becomes fit for eternal union with the Supreme.
He also describes the characteristics of one who has attained this state of spiritual consciousness, such as being free from duality, being the same in success and failure, and being equanimous in all circumstances.
In the last slokas of this chapter, Lord Krishna emphasizes the importance of performing one’s duty with a sense of detachment and devotion to God and states that by following the path of Karma yoga, one can attain liberation and the ultimate goal of human life: to attain the supreme state of spiritual consciousness.
Karma Yoga, as taught by Lord Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, is the path of selfless action and devotion to God as a means to attain liberation or self-realization. It is one of the four paths to attain ultimate reality, the others being Bhakti Yoga (path of devotion), Jnana Yoga (path of knowledge) and Raja Yoga (path of meditation).
It’s important to note that Bhagavad Gita’s slokas are full of profound wisdom and are open to multiple interpretations, reading commentaries or studying with a qualified teacher may help in understanding the deeper meaning of each sloka.
