Bhagavad Gita - 3

Karma-yoga
 Based on the
teachings of
His Divine
Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta
Swami
Prabhupada
~Founder Acharya~
International Society
for Krishna
Consciousness
 Mangalacarana
oà ajïäna-timirändhasya jïänäïjana-çaläkayä
cakñur unmélitaà yena tasmai çré-gurave namaù

çré-caitanya-mano-'bhéñöaà sthäpitaà yena bhü-tale

svayaà rüpaù kadä mahyaà dadäti sva-padäntikam

vande 'haà çré-guroù çré-yuta-pada-kamalaà çré-gurün vaiñëaväàç ca

çré-rüpaà sägrajätaà saha-gaëa-raghunäthänvitaà taà sa-jévam
sädvaitaà sävadhütaà parijana-sahitaà kåñëa-caitanya-devaà
çré-rädhä-kåñëa-pädän saha-gaëa-lalitä-çré-viçäkhänvitäàç ca

he kåñëa karuëä-sindho déna-bandho jagat-pate

gopeça gopikä-känta rädhä-känta namo 'stu te

tapta-käïcana-gauräìgi rädhe våndävaneçvari

våñabhänu-sute devi praëamämi hari-priye

väïchä-kalpatarubhyaç ca kåpä-sindhubhya eva ca

patitänäà pävanebhyo vaiñëavebhyo namo namaù

çré-kåñëa-caitanya prabhu-nityänanda
çré-advaita gadädhara çréväsädi-gaura-bhakta-vånda

hare kåñëa hare kåñëa kåñëa kåñëa hare hare

hare räma hare räma räma räma hare hare
 Summary – Chapter 1 & 2
Chapter 1 Arjuna's reasons for
Observing the Armies not wishing to fight

Compassion Enjoyment

Saintliness and
Destruction
fear of sinful
of Family
reactions

Chapter 2
Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna
BG 2.6
Indecision

Arjuna
surrenders to
Lord Krsna
 Summary – Chapter 2
Since Arjuna was Lord Krsna
horrified at the thought summarizes
of Killing His relatives, all the
Krsna begins His instruction of
teachings Bhagavad Gita

Sankhya Buddhi Yoga or Symptoms of Self

Karma Kanda
Philosophy Niskama Karma Yoga Realized Souls

If Arjuna Art of all Work

dies in battle Free from
Analytical study Work in Unattached Have a steady
desire to enjoy
of Matter and he will be the mode to the mind
the senses
Spirit (Soul) promoted to of selfless results of
heaven service the world
Indifferent Have a taste for
With Mind from good & devotional
Soul is If He wins With Resolute activities
focused on evil
eternal, the battle, Determination
Krsna
He will rule Being thus
imperishable Control the
situated at the
the earth Fight simply because it senses by
time of death,
engaging them in
Material body is Krsna's desire the devotional
one can enter
Dishonor into the kingdom
is inert and activities
outer covering
will Results of God

of soul overcome
Able to get One who is not connected with the
Him if He Do not get supreme or not doing devotional
out of the
leaves the any Sinful
cycle of birth activity cannot have Steady Mind
battlefield Reaction
and death or Peace or Happiness
 Chapter 3 - Sections
Section Verse Description
A 3.1 to 3.9 Dealing with the confusion:
Renunciation or working in Niskama
Karma
B 3.10 to 3.16 From Karmakanda to Karma Yoga
C 3.17 to 3.35 Niskama Karma -- Acting dutifully,
with detachment, to set the correct
example.
D 3.36 to 3.43 Beware of Lust and Anger
 Summary - Section - A
Verse 3.1 to 3.9
Dealing with the confusion: Renunciation or
working in Niskama Karma
1-2 Arjuna inquires why Krsna previously recommended buddhi
yoga, using one's intelligence to link to the Supreme, and has
condemned fruitive work – but wishes him to fight, Krsna
replies that He has actually recommended one process with
two stages -- karma and jnana.
3-9 Krsna replies that since the soul is active by nature,
renunciation of work, if one's heart is not yet clean, is inferior
to performing prescribed duties with detachment. The Vedas
therefore teach us to perform work as a sacrifice for Krsna.
Thus our work will not bind us to this world.
 Text – 1-2
Arjuna’s Question : Intelligence better than Fruitative Work, Why Fight?

Keep far Arjuna’s

distance from 1
BG 2.49 By Engaging in Question Why
abominable
activities Buddhi-Yoga Krsna want’s
(killing people) Him to fight

2 if
Arjuna
Confused Intelligence better than Fruitive Work
by
Equivocal
Buddhi-Yoga (Fighting)
Lord instructions
Krsna
Misunderstood to
Clarify
Arjuna’s
be cessation of
doubts Renounce work (Retirement
Fight from active Life)
Karma (Active) (Inactive)
Same Jnana Yoga
Yoga Karma Yoga Goal
Empirical
Not advised
Devotional Go to secluded
CH-3 Philosophical unless
Service place and chant
Speculation
holy name
someone is
fully trained
 Text – 3
Lord explains different classes of man realizing self.
3
Gradual Process
Purifying senses by
Experimental
Philosophical Process
Lord Spirit Applicable to Knowledge
People
Krsna Sankhya-yoga

Study of
who
Analytical likes to
Ultimate Goal
speculate Philosophy
Study
Matter Lord
Krsna
BG 2.39
Interdependent Purpose is
As Religion/Philosophy to establish
Relationship

Two classes of
men trying to Depend on
Karma-yoga Work in
realize self Krsna (Senses Self
Niskama Karma KC
can be easily
Buddhi-Yoga (Akrama)
Controlled)

Direct Process
Released
Easy, Sublime, Purifying from BG 2.61
Process bondage
of action
 Differences between Sankhya Yoga and Buddhi Yoga
Sankhya Yoga Buddhi Yoga
(Philosophical Speculation) (Krishna Consciousness)
1 INDIRECT PATH DIRECT PATH
A process of directly connecting the level of our
activity or karma for the purpose of Krishna
Consciousness
2 DEPENDENCE ON PERSONAL DEPENDENCE ON KRISHNA’S MERCY
ENDEAVOUR A process of depending Entirely on Supreme
Meant for persons who want to understand (2.61), and does not depend one’s own limited
things by experimental knowledge and capacity of sense control, purity to advance.
philosophy on one’s own limited capacity. Therefore it is easy and better.
3 UNSURE OF SUCCESS SURETY OF SUCCESS
May never reach the highest rung of ladder There is surety of success because strength is
which is to attain Krishna’s mercy given by mercy of Krishna and Vaishnavas, thus
one is easily relieved from bonds of action (2.39)
and there is no flaw in the process (2.40) of
Buddhi-yoga
4 INITIAL PURIFICATION REQUIRED BY ENDS AND MEANS ARE THE SAME
PRESCRIBED DUTY Krishna consciousness is itself the Purificatory
A gradual path of purification of senses by process
philosophical process
 Text – 4
Renunciation should not be accepted without Purification of Heart
Empirical Retiring from Lord
Philosophers fruitive work Narayana

Does not
Someone Perform
Renunciation Should be Purification
(Sannayasa) Accepted after of Heart

Happens for
without materialistic Transcendental
Lord Krsna does not approve

men by Prescribed
Service to Lord
performing Krsna duties
Purification
of Heart Prescribed
Duties
Accepted by
Lord as Buddhi
Disturbance Yoga
to Society Not performing
(Unfulfilled Prescribed Duties
desires) does not give
freedom from
reaction
 Text – 5
Sankhya Yoga is Impractical since SOUL is ACTIVE in Nature

Acquires Modes
Active in Nature In Contact with
of Material
(It must act) Material Nature
nature

Needs engagement Prescribed

Duties
recommended
in Shastras
Occupation
dictated by
illusory energy
Prescribed
duties purifies
the soul from
affinities

SB 1.5.17 Leads to Krsna

There is no loss, Consciousness
even if there is (If not, then failure)
falldown
 Text – 6-7
One who restrains senses but mind dwells on sense objects is a Pretender
6
Pretender
Shows Deep but Mind dwells on His Philosophy
(Greatest to be in
Cheater) Meditation Sense objects has no value

Social Orders Knowledge

Stolen by
Brahmachari
Illusory Energy
Follow of Lord
Gristha Rules and Gradual
For Sense
Regulation Purification
Enjoyment of Orders
Vanaprastha

Sannyas

7 Control Senses
(Mind)
Sincere Far
Person Superior
Engages in Karma
Yoga (KC) (without
attachment)
 Text – 8
Performing Prescribed duties is better than not working

Renouncing Prescribed Performing

Duties
Fall down since Gradually
activity is given Purification of
up before Heart
purifying heart Arjuna (Tendencies to Lord over
(Kshtriya) Material Nature)
(Grastha)

Engage himself
in War not
renouncing and
going to forest

Work should not be given up capriciously, without purification of

materialistic propensities.
 Text – 9
Perform work as a sacrifice to Vishnu or work causes bondage

Not binding
Action/Work For Visnu
performed satisfaction of but
Krsna liberating
otherwise

Action cause
bondage (cycle of Act Under
Gradually elevate and
birth and death) guidance of
develop transcendental
Spiritual
Sense Gratification loving service of Lord
Master
Good Bad
Action Action Go back to Godhead

Cycle of Birth & Death

Kingdom of God
 Understanding Yoga Ladder

Active in Lord Krishna’s

Hence Vedas
Soul Nature recommendation
Recommend
(It must act) BG 2.39

Purification means Elevates Ones Which

Prescribed
of Heart Consciousness Duties
(Varnasrama Dharma)

means

Getting Jnana Platform Renouncing

and When Heart One is
(Understand that he is One Can take means
Transcendental in Prescribed
Knowledge becomes Pure not his body, above Sannayas
3MMN) Duties

Take Sannayas Lord Krishna’s Continue Working

When Heart (Externals of Jnana recommendation with Detachment
not yet clean platform, renounce
(In Jnana Platform) (Niskama Karma)
of Prescribed Duties)

Nature is to act Mind dwell on

but cannot act, Pretender
very precarious
sense objects as
(Mithya Achar)
situation its not clean yet
 Understanding Niskama Karma
Gradual Yoga Ladder

Attached to Material
Karma When Mode of
Work and Attachments
Work One is Passion
Fruits of Work Sakama Karma

Working under Still attached to

authorities of Work and Fruits
Vedas (Sakama Karma)
One
will
Gradually get Mode of
detachment Goodness
Not Gradually
Renunciation
of Work Detachment from
Situated in
Fruits of Work, not
Jnana Platform necessarily Work
Renunciation
of Fruits of
the Work Continue to Buddhi Yoga or Results offered to
Work with Niskama Karma or Krishna is KC or
Detachment Karma on Jnana Platform Bhakti Yoga
 Summary - Section - A

Courtesy :
HG Brhat-Mrdanga Prabhu
 Summary - Section - A

Courtesy :
HG Brhat-Mrdanga Prabhu
 Summary - Section - A

Courtesy :
HG Brhat-Mrdanga Prabhu
 Summary - Section - B
Verse 3.10 to 3.16
From Karmakanda to Karma Yoga
10-16 If one cannot perform detached, dutiful
work, it is better to follow the karma-
kanda section of the Vedas. But these
Vedic prescribed duties, which involve
sacrifices, should be done for Krsna's
pleasure.
 Text – 10
Lord Viṣṇu in beginning of Creation provides Men with all necessities to Live
Happily and Achieve Liberation (Complete Program for Soul to Go back to God)
Vishnu-Lord of Creation Men

Demigods

Sacrifices
Creates for Vishnu
Material World
Vedas
Process to
perform
Sacrifices
Soul

Sacrifices
Achieve
Progress
Kaliyuga everything
towards
desirable for
Libration
Living happily
Sankirtana
 Text – 11-12
Demigods are pleased by sacrifices, Prosperities follows by co-operation
11
Visnu Light
Empowered In Charge of
Krsna administrators Demigods Various necessities
Air Necessities
(SPG) of Life of Life
Water
Pleasures
Displeasures
depends Etc.

Chief Benefactor 12
yajna-pati Yajna’s One who enjoys gifts
without offering back
Based on 3 Modes to demigods is THIEF

Performance of Yajna Leading to Liberation

has many benefits

Krsna

By purification of
Eatables Eating Existence Memory is
existence, finer
becomes sanctified becomes sanctified, one
tissues of memory
can think of path
Sanctified food purified becomes
of liberation
sanctified
 Text – 13
Food offered to the Lord becomes Sanctified (Free from Reaction)
13
Vishnu
Devotees Offer food to the
Krsna
(santas) Lord with Love
(SPG)

Yajna’s Always in Love

with the Lord
(Sacrifice)
Other Sacrifices

Sravanam
Aloof from
Kritanam
Contamination of
Smaranam Sinful Association

Archanam

Analogy

Non Prepares Food Thief's Can

Devotees
for Personal Never be
Enjoyment Eat sins
Happy
(Sinful)
 Text – 14
14
Complete Dependence of Living Entities on the Lord
Yajna-Purusa
Benefactor
Visnu of all sacrifices,
Srila Baladeva
Vidyabhusana Krsna
(SPG) In charge of all
Master of all
necessities of
Demigods
Hare Krsna Life
Maha Mantra Devotees
Worship
For Kalyuga Past sinful
reaction
Yajna’s Nourishes vanquished
Eat Do Not Offer Food
(Sacrifice) body
Sin Offer to Krishna
Spiritually Immunized to all
contamination of
Pleased by Material Nature
Analogy Vaccine
Controlled Foods (Grains,
Rain, Sunlight, Progress
by Demigods Air, Land
Vegetables,
In Charge Fruits etc) towards
Spiritual
Realization
 Text – 15-16
15
Lord situated in acts of sacrifices, prescribed in
Vedas which are manifested from Lord
Vedas manifested Rig
Visnu
from breathing
Krsna Vedas Yajur
Speak thru breath
(SPG) Sama
atharva
Codes of working
According direction Not according
(Prescribed duties)
16
STATE LAWS
Karma/Akarma Vikarma Living for Sense
Regulated Activities are
Unauthorized Gratification,
prescribed for Gradual
Sinful life is vain
elevation to Spiritual Life

Prepare to go • Conditioned souls in material nature are all eager for

material enjoyment.
back to • Vedic directions are so made that one can satisfy one's
Godhead perverted desires, then return to Godhead (chance given)
• Conditioned souls must try to follow the process of Yajna by
becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious to go back to Godhead.
 Text 3.14-15
Complete Dependence of Living Entities on the Lord

DEPEND ON  Purpose of human life

Food - to please the
Rains grains Supreme Lord

DEPEND ON  Best process to

DEPEND ON please the Supreme
All embodied Lord
Performance (contitions) - unalloyed and
Of YAJNA living beings undeviated
(Sacrifice) devotional service
 Best yajna for this
BORN OF
age of kali
Vedas come - Sankirtan Yajna
Prescribed from The (chanting the holy
Duties Supreme Lord name)
 Best mantra to be
SOURCE OF
Prescribed chanted
in the VEDAS - Hare Krishna
Courtesy : Mahamantra
Tyaga Caitanya Das
 Text 3.14-15

Courtesy :
Gauranga Priya das
 Summary - Section - C
Verse 3.17 to 3.35
Niskama Karma -- Acting dutifully, with
detachment, to set the correct example.
17-25 It is better if one performs his duties without fruitive desires or
attachments, as did King Janaka and as does Krsna. One
should act in this way to set the correct example for others.
26-32 Although the ignorant perform their duty with attachment, the
wise should not unsettle them. The wise should perform their
own duty without attachment (and with knowledge) and thus
become free.
33-35 One should perform his duty according to his nature, in Krsna
consciousness, without falling victim to attractions and
aversions.
 Text – 17-18
Characteristics of Self Realized Person, acting as a
matter of duty
17
Satisfied by Act of KC

No Need to
By acting in KC is
Perform Yagna’s to
freed from all sins
clear sins

Eternal constitutional position

revealed when free from sins

Duties to be performed No Need to

directed by Lord follow Vedic
Injunctions

Not Interested in
Material Activities
18 Does not depend
Self Realized Person on either Living
Engages in KC activities is Has No reason not to Entities or
perform his duties Demigods
fully satisfied, no duties
 Text – 19
Act as a Matter of Duty without attachments to Fruits or Work, attain Supreme
19
Devotees

Acting as a
matter of duty, Result : Attain
without being Supreme
attached to fruits
Liberation for
Impersonalist

Under Acting as a
proper matter of
guidance duty
Acts only on
Perfection
behalf of Krsna

No Need of performing No attachment Akarma

Vedic ritual, which are to results No reaction to
done for purification of good or evil
impious activities, done Engages in all work
due to sense gratification kinds of
activities but
completely
unattached
 Text – 20-21
Example : King Janaka, People in general follow leaders
Example 2 : Lord Krishna

20

No Duties Self realized

to Perform Soul

Lord Krsna and Arjuna

Example 1 : King Janaka fought battle to show
“Violence is necessary
where good arguments
Acting Still works to fail”
Act in such a
without any teach, people in
way that people
general who to live
interest in will follow.
and act (perform
world prescribed duties)
(set an example)
Lord Caitanya
on Teaching Natural Leaders Responsibility
21 Help
Teaches by perfect Kings or dependents
personal behavior Executive
to progress
Teaches on the basis Head
Practice before preaching on Spiritual
Acharya of the Shastra’s or path
Follow injunctions revealed scriptures Father
SB
of scriptures for School recommends,
humanity eg. Manu Teacher to progress
Samhita & others follow devotees
 Text 3.19-21
How Self Realized Soul Work.
Examples

King Janaka
Why Self How Self
Benefits of such
Realized Soul Realized Soul
Work?
Work? Work?
(BG 3.19)
(BG 3.20-21) (BG 3.19)

(BG 3.19)
Lord Krishna
With
To set an As a matter of
detachment
example for duty, under To please Attain
from fruits
general mass proper Lord Krishna Supreme
(results of
of people. guidance.
work)

(BG 3.22-24)
 Text – 22-24
22 Lord Krishna also performs prescribed duties, although He has no material desires
Why Lord
Krishna has No
Prescribed Duties

There is no Nor Nor Krishna is Supreme Self

prescribed work Krishna Krishna is sufficient, full of All
for Krishna in 3 want in need of opulences, beyond all
planetary systems anything anything prescribed duties. (SU 6.7-8)
To set an
23 example All world will be put
To keep social into ruination, b/c
Why He still they will follow Lord
carefully performs
tranquility for
Krsna’s path
24
progress in
prescribed duties? spiritual life
Unwanted Not
To establish population(Varna Imitating Following
same
religion sankara) will be
created (refutes Arjuna’s
argument BG 1.40) Cannot imitate Krsna’s Rasa
24 lila or lifting of Govardhan
What if He does Hill, Must follow His
Krsna will be instructions. We must
not follow? responsible to destroy understand superior position
peace of living being of Ishvara’s and only follow
their instructions.
25 Text – 25
Self Realized Person How Learned and Ignorant people act Ignorant Person

Difference
in Desires

Satisfaction Satisfaction
of Krsna’s of One’s
senses own senses

WHY?
Work without Work with
To set an
attachments to attachments to
example and
Fruits (results Fruits (results
lead people on
of work) of work)
right path
 Text – 26
Gradual progress in Krishna Consciousness
26 Vedas
Attached to
Ignorant Fruitive results Gradual
Man of prescribed elevation
duties

Should not disturb

their understanding or All All Everything All directions
activities Vedic Performances put into for Material
Rituals of Sacrifices vedas activities

Act by showing how

Self results of all activities
Realized can be dedicated to
service of Krishna Purpose is to
Soul Understand
Krishna
How Self realized Need not follow vedic BG 15.15
relates to Ignorant rituals, By KC one
man derives same results
following Prescribed
duties mentioned in
Vedas
 Text – 27
Bewildered by False Ego Spirit Soul thinks himself as DOER
Spirit Soul
27
In Material In Krishna
Consciousness Consciousness

Under Under
Influence of Influence
False Ego Internal Energy

Consider Understands Material

Himself as Nature under control of
DOER SPOG is DOER (karta)
(karta) BG 9.10

Takes all credit Supreme Lord (Hrsikesa)

of doing directs Material Nature to
everything create Gross and Subtle
independently body.
Spirit Soul bound by modes of
Material Nature
 Bhagvan
Text – 28
28 Engagements of the Self Realized Soul.
Knows His real
Self Realized Soul identity, Parts and
Absolute
Truth has 3 Parcel of SPOG
features and
His position knows knows Entrapped in
in relation Material Creation
Paramatma
with
Supreme He must dovetail
Tattva-vit his activities in
devotional service
Engagement in Material world to SPOG

Brahman Understands
Unattached to
Engages in material conditions
material sense
are under control of
KC gratification
SPOG hence NOT
activities which are
DISTURBED by
temporary
material reactions
 Text 3.27-28

Courtesy : Gauranga Priya das

 Text – 29
29 Engagements of the Self Realized Soul.
Ignorant Person
(Lazy Person, busy in
material field of
Spiritual activities)
Thinks body
Realization is a Manda as Self
Myth, hence
not interested Identify with
Devotees are VERY Gross Material
KIND and take all kinds Engages in Social Consciousness
of risk out of compassion work,
Full of Material
for conditioned soul and Nationalism and designation
engages ignorant man in Altruism
Krsna Consciousness. Considers Worship Accept bodily
Religious rituals land in connections with
to be end in which they others as
themselves are born kinsmanship

Should not Agitate them

Perform one’s own

spiritual activities
silently

Engage them in moral

duties like non-violence
Spiritually and similarly materially
Realized person benevolent work
30 Text – 30
Purpose of Bhagavad Gita
Surrendering
FREE From
ALL Your
Lethargy
work “unto
FIGHT!!!
ME”

With Full With No Claim

Knowledge of of
ME Proprietorship

Without
desires for
Profit
 Purpose of Bhagavad Gita
Text – 30
Purpose of Bhagavad Gita

Adhyatma-cetas Nirasih
Little difficult, To act on the order of
Fully KC & depends
nevertheless solely on the master without
30 duties must be Supreme Soul without expecting fruitive
Acting in performed personal considerations results. Eg. Cashier
constitutional
position. Discharge Dependence on Mayi (unto me)
HAPPY duties as if in KRSNA as Nothing in the world
Military Supersoul belongs to anyone, but
everything belongs to
Independent discipline the
of the Without claim to Supreme Lord
cooperation of proprietorship
Supreme Lord. Vigatah-jvara
UNHAPPY Not considering Nirmama Without feverish
Act according Discharge all mentality or lethargy
the order, just Free from sense of
to Your duties in Give up any reluctance
Varnasrama Krsna execute. propritorship to fight because of
Dharma Consciousness bodily relationships
Should not expect
fruitive results

Leads to Without
Liberation reluctance
 Text – 31-32
Results of Acting or Not Acting according to Lords Injunctions
With Firm Faith
31 Faith
How to Yes No
Follow? Without
No benefits, never
Envy Surety of gets liberated. Eg.
Success Some
Philosophers
Result of FREEDOM
following from All
bondage

32 Analogy for
Bereft of all Disobedience
Knowledge As there is punishment for
(Self & Supreme disobedience to order of
Brahman) supreme executive head,
Out of Envy, similarly there is
disregards the Result punishment for
Befooled disobedience to order of
teachings and
SPOG
do not follow
Ruined in
their
endeavors for
perfection
 Text – 33
Everyone acts according to his own conditional nature &
material desires
33
Even Man of
Nature is
Knowledge act
acquired from
according to
3 modes
his own nature

Impossible to get
Acts according to nature out of Maya by
theoretical
Higher knowledge.
Eg. So called spiritualists
Education fails
to help In bondage because
of long association
of material nature KC is gradual process,
helps to get out of
material entanglement,
by engaging in material
prescribed duties
Transcendental No one should
Solution platform of suddenly give up
BG 7.14 Krsna prescribed duties,
Consciousness artificially.

Stay in one’s own

position and try to
attain KC under
Divine & Demoniac Natures SUPERIOR Training.
 Text – 34
Attachment and Aversion – Stumbling blocks on path of Self Realization
34
Cause of Unrestricted
Material Sense
Encagement Enjoyment

Best attachment
is loving service
How to get
to Krishna, out???
leads to
detachment
As long as Material
body is their,
Attachment necessities of Material
to senses and body are allowed under
object of Stumbling Never come Following the rules of scriptures
senses blocks on under control of rules of the
path of Self Attachment and revealed
Sense gratification
Realization Aversion scriptures
Aversion under regulation
from KC may also lead one to
go astray.

Avoid The Purpose of all

detachment
detachment is getting
from KC in
any stage of situated in Krishna
life Consciousness
 Text – 35
Reasons Why Not follow
other’s Prescribed duties

35 Follow One’s own Prescribed Duties

It creates the option to
reject One's duty, if it
proves uncomfortable
and thus accepting and
Purpose of Under the People rejecting based on sense
gratification.
performing direction of Prescribed should only
PD are not only for
Prescribed duties Authorized Duties do one’s purification but also for
People own PD a stable society of
different integrated
parts. If one decides to
change his activities,
those dependent on him
for certain needs, may
Everyone has to Materially be let down.
Understanding Spiritual Duties
cleanse Heart by
the purpose of Prescribed duties Ordered by Spiritual
Giving up one’s natural
gradually performing work is very difficult.
Krsna Based on one’s phycho-
PD according to Master for growth in Engaging in unnatural
Consciousness physical condition, work promotes
modes acquired KC
under spell of modes dissatisfaction and thus
the risk of falldown to
immorality escalates

Only when one

Acting based Acting based on
transcends the
the direction of
Transcend the on the modes and is
Spiritual Master
Modes of Material Influence of for Spiritual
fully situated in
Modes Krishna
Nature Progress
Consciousness

Brahmana Kshatriya Can perform anything

in Mode of in Mode of and everything under
Goodness passion can the direction of a bona-
should be become fide spiritual master.
Non-Violent violent Ex : Vishvamitra, Parasurama
 Summary - Section - D
Verse 3.36 to 3.43
Beware of Lust and Anger.
36-43 Beware of lust, the soul's sinful, all-
devouring enemy. Through lust, sitting in
the senses, mind, and intelligence, the
soul's knowledge is covered. By regulating
the senses and through spiritually strong
intelligence, one should fix himself in his
pure identity as a servant of Krsna and
thereby conquer lust.
 Text – 36
36 By What is One Impelled to Sinful Act, as if by force?

Living Entity

Originally
Spiritual, Pure
& Free from
contamination

When comes in contact

with Material Nature Acts in Many
sinful ways
without
hesitation Is it
impelled by
Sometimes acts Super soul
against His own within?
will, as if by
force
 37
Text – 37
LUST : Born in contact with Mode of Passion, Characteristics of Lust
transformed into Wrath – All devouring sinful enemy. Supreme Lord
Living Entity
Origin of Lust
Originally PURE LOVE
Spiritual, Pure Intense desire
& Free from to serve
contamination Krsna’s senses When
Greed
Satisfied?

When Not Anger Mode of

Forces to Lust Satisfied? (Wrath) Ignorance
Misuse of act sinfully
partial By prescribed
independence All devouring How to method of living
When comes in contact sinful enemy elevate Lust and acting
with Material Nature into mode of One can be saved
from degradation of
Comes in Contact Goodness? wrath by spiritual
with Mode of attachment
Passion

ETERNAL LOVE When living Inquires about

for serving Krsna entities baffled by Supreme, who is
transforms into prolonged lustful He, what is my
activities, inquires relationship
about reality
LUST with Him? etc.
For serving one’s
own senses Desiring
How to make
Lust & Wrath everything for
Facility to the
Purpose of
Conditioned Soul to fulfill Spiritualized? Krishna in KC.
Material Creation Eg. Arjuna, Hanuman
lustful propensities
38
Text – 38
Degrees of covering of the Lust on the Living Entities
Human life :
Smoke/Fire
Lust chance to kindle
fire of KC by
careful handling of
Beginning of Compared to smoke
Krsna Consciousness
Consciousness of Human being Human life : One
can conquer Lust
by cultivation of
KC under guidance
of Spiritual Master
Dust/Mirror
Different Compared to
Cleansing by Consciousness
Degrees of Spiritual of beast &
Covering of Methods birds
Lust

Womb/Embryo

Knowledge Compared to
completely Consciousness
covered of Trees
39
Text – 39
More Characteristics of Lust
Advancement
Lust of Material
Material World
civilization on
Cover Living the basis of
Entity’s Pure Sense
Consciousness Gratification

Increasing
duration of
Material
Lust is symbol existence
Characteristics of Ignorance
of Lust So called
happiness is
ultimate enemy
for sense
Lust is never enjoyer
satisfied

Shackles of Sex Life

Maithunya-agara
How to Stop
Satisfying Lust it?
is like adding Punishment for
fuel to fire. Living Entity for
being disobedient to
Stop Feeding Laws of God.
it and Let it
Die
 Text – 40
Lust How to conquer the Enemy – LUST
40 Sitting
places of
the Lust

Senses Mind Intelligence Soul

False Identification

Mind
Identifies
Self with
Matter
Senses

Soul
Center of all Lusty
Influences Acquires
activities of Intelligence Addicted to enjoying
soul to FALSE
the Senses Capital material senses and
EGO
thinks this as source of
Reservoir of happiness
Ideas for
Sense
Gratification
Goes to places of
Identify body made Considers by Considers pilgrimage for taking
of 3 elements products of land of birth bath, rather than
(Kapha, Vata, body as his as meeting devotees to
Pitta) as self kinsmen worshipable gain transcendental
knowledge
False Identification : Manifested in various ways (SB 10.84.13)
41 Text – 41 Learn KC from Bhagavad Gita
Regulate the Senses
Lust
How to
Overcome
Lust?

Feels attracted to
pleasure and
repulsed by pain
When
Attacked Senses send The Knowledge of Self and
by lust images of Super Self is very confidential
desirable and and has to be understood as
Senses undesirable explained by Lord Himself
objects to Mind
Sitting in BG (SB 2.9.31)
places of Mind
Lust Weakest How??? Learn living entities are part
Easiest to By following and parcel of lord and simply
Intelligence religious meant to serve lord
conquer
regulations
Lust is perverted reflection of
Jnana (Knowledge) natural love for Krsna, KC
Knowledge of Self as prevents Love deteriorating
Destroyer distinguished from Non-Self into Lust. When love
of Jnana & transforms into Lust, it’s very
difficult to revert.
Vijnana Vijnana (Self- Realization)
Specific knowledge of the Even a late beginner can
spirit soul’s constitutional become lover of God by
position and his relationship following regulative principles
to the Supreme Soul of devotional service
 42 Text – 42
Hierarchy of sitting places of Lust
Solution
Soul (Mahan)
Lust

Understanding
Intelligence Souls
Completely
surrender to the
Constitutional
Supreme Lord
Mind position

Using
intelligence
engage Mind in
direct service of
Lord Krsna
Senses
Different
outlets for
Stopping actions Senses will then
activities of body will not follow the
of Lust help, since Mind dictation of
is always active Mind

Dull Matter
CAUTION! Even though the soul is the master of Intelligence,
Mind, and Senses, unless it is strengthned by Krishna consciousness,
there is every chance of falling down due to the AGITATED MIND
 43 Text – 43
Steady the Mind by Spiritual Intelligence (KC)

Soul Steady Mind Conquer

Overcoming Transcendental by
deliberate
Spiritual
Higher than
Lust Intelligence Lust
Material
Material
Senses

Mind
Intelligence
Chapter 3

Conclusion

Chapter 3 is conclusively Do not Gradually develop KC & then Greatest enemy of In immature stage
directed towards Krishna give up one can be situated in a conditioned soul – philosophical speculations
consciousness by knowing work and transcendental position desire for over- & artificial attempts to
oneself as the eternal
servitor of the Supreme
Prescribed unaffected by Mind & Senses – lording & sense control senses by yoga
duties all by the help of steady gratification, which fails to help, One must be
Personality of Godhead and
of a intelligence directed towards are manifestations trained in KC by higher
not the impersonal voidness
one’s pure identity of lust intelligence
as the ultimate end. sudden
 Lust – Characteristics & Overcoming Lust
Lust Born of Mode of 37
Passion
No Krsna Consciousness Characteristics
Transforms into 37
When Soul is Wrath
not engaged in (Ignorance)
Krsna
Consciousness Overcoming Lust (BG 3.40-43) Forces us to act 37
sinfully
Regulate Senses Engage Soul in All devouring 37
Senses drags (since mind and Krsna greatest enemy
intelligence are
Mind difficult to control,
Consciousness Covers living 38
begin with senses) entities pure
Attack Lust in Mind & consciousness
Intelligence by contemplating
Mind drags As smoke covers fire
on real identity of being soul,
intelligence Devotional Under direction Soul is superior to dictates of Mirror covered by
Service of bonafied the senses, mind & intelligence dust
(following Spiritual Master Embryo covered by
Shastras) Practice acting on the
Intelligence womb
platform of spiritual
drags soul desire(KC) rather than
Never satisfied, 39
into Sense material lust. burns like fire
Gratification Sitting place of 40
Lust – Senses,
Mind engages
Mind, Intelligence
Intelligence Mind is senses which
is engaged in becomes like Covers Knowledge 41
serpent with (Jnana) and Self
Strengthened KC realization (Vijnana)
broken fangs
Courtesy : Gauranga Priya das
 Summary – Chapter 3
Arjuna confuses
Lord Recommended Buddhi Yoga as
Arjuna asks Buddhi Yoga retirement from
Why Lord active life
Krsna wants
Him to fight? According to
Condemn Fruitive Arjuna the War
Activities was a Fruitive
Activity
Lord Krsna
Purpose of Bhagavad Gita
says He has Soul Active by nature, One will be
actually
Sankhya-yoga
giving up work pretender as the Work only for
recommended Analytical without purification senses may be
1 process with Lord Krishna
2 stages ie
Study of materialistic restrained but the
Purifying senses by contamination will not mind will dwell on Without Following
Karma & Self Teachings
Philosophical Process get perfection sense objects.
Jnana Motivation Faithfully

Without Free from

Result Envy Lethargy
Lord Krsna Karma-yoga Performing work in Work in devotion
replies that devotion(KC), one’s performed for Free from Attain
there are 2
Niskama prescribed duty is satisfaction of Vishnu Bondage Perfection
ways to Karma better than not
will cleanse the heart
of materialistic
realize self Buddhi-Yoga performing any propensities and make
Working in Devotion work. one free from bondage
Lust–All devouring Enemy
Sitting places How to
If one cannot perform work in Act to set an example of Lust conquer Lust?
devotion with detachment, One fully absorbed in Perfected soul still Senses, By regulating
then perform work as KC has no other duty to performs one’s Mind & Senses, Performance
of duties with
prescribed in the Karma perform and by working prescribed duties with Intelligence
detachment, steady
Kanda section of the Vedas by thus with detachment detachment to set an covers the mind by
one will attain the example. Eg. Janaka, soul's
performing Yagna/sacrifices deliberate spiritual
Lord Krishna knowledge intelligence – KC
for the pleasure of Vishnu. Supreme
 Summary – Chapter 3
Arjuna inquires why Krsna previously recommended buddhi yoga, using one's intelligence to link to the Supreme, and has
condemned fruitive work -- but wishes him to fight, Krsna replies that He has actually recommended one process with two
stages -- Karma and Jnana.

Arjuna confuses Buddhi Yoga as retirement from active life. He inquires why Krsna previously recommended buddhi
yoga(using one's intelligence to link to the Supreme), and has condemned fruitive work -- but wants him to fight.

Krsna replies that there are two ways to realize the self : Sankhya Yoga and Buddhi Yoga (Work in devotion). It is not possible
for one to abstain from work : the soul by nature is active,giving up work without purification of materialistic contamination
will not get perfection and one will just be a pretender as the senses may be restrained but the mind will dwell on sense
objects.

Performing work in devotion(Krishna Consciousness), one’s prescribed duty is better than not performing any work. Work in
devotion performed for the satisfaction of Vishnu will cleanse the heart of materialistic propensities and make one free from
bondage.

If one cannot perform work in devotion with detachment then one can perform work as prescribed in the karma kanda section
of the Vedas by performing yagna/sacrifices for the pleasure of Vishnu.

When one performs action fully absorbed in Krishna consciousness has no other duty to perform and by working thus with
detachment one will attain the Supreme.
But such a perfected soul still performs one’s prescribed duties with detachment to set an example for the common man. e.g
Janaka and Krsna Himself: owner of everything and totally detached from material world still performs His duties.

The ignorant perform work with attachment, the learned men engage their propensity to work in devotion.

Krsna summarizes this section by instructing Arjuna to perform work only for Him without self motivation by following His
teachings faithfully without envy will thus be free from bondage and attain perfection.

Insatiable lust, is the cause of all sinful activity. Through lust, sitting in the senses, mind, and intelligence, the soul's
knowledge is covered. By regulating the senses (by performance of duties with detachment), steady the mind by deliberate
spiritual intelligence – Krsna Consciousness the enemy of lust can be conquered.
Compiled by Amritananda das email : [email protected]
 End of
Bhagavad Gita -3