Summary from Anu ji and Karthik ji
- In Vedanta, analysis is done through negation (neti net) so that one can learn from their own experience
Verse 4:
- one cannot achieve actionlessness by not performing any actions
- discarding or renouncing an action also does not lead to perfection (siddhi)
- desires arise due to feeling of incompleteness or ignorance. These desires give rise to thoughts which in turn lead to action. The action again leads to incompleteness and this cycle continues
- any action performed to gain aatma gnana is not binding
- nishkama karma - non binding action - actions performed without any selfish desires
- kamya karma - binding action - actions motivated by selfish desires
- What can common man do?
- prayer/meditation every day in the morning and evening- try to give something to less fortunate (donate however small)- pray to god before every meal (shloka from chapter 15 verse 14 is recommended)
ahaṁ vaiśhvānaro bhūtvā prāṇināṁ deham āśhritaḥprāṇāpāna-samāyuktaḥ pachāmy annaṁ chatur-vidham
- vaiśhvānaraḥ—fire of digestion
- 4 types of annam
- bakshya - main course- bojya - side dishes- joshya - fluids- lekhya - not chewed, swallowed after rolling in tongue- Pancha pranas (prana, apana, samana, udana, vyana) need to be functioning properly for good digestion
- above actions over time will purify the mind. A pure mind will lead to less desires and will give rise to quality thoughtsVerse 5:
- One cannot remain without acting
- compelled to act due to Prakriti, gunas (satvik, rajas, tamas)
- knowledge helps one to choose the correct course of action
Verse 6:
- Physical restraint without mental & intellectual restraint will not help
- mind has a strong tendency to churn its own thoughts which will eventually lead a man to perform the same action that he/she has been physically restraining from