The Yoga of Wisdom

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Bhagavad-Gita Explained

Chapter Two:

Atma-jñāna

Buddhi-Yoga

The Yoga of Wisdom

by Michael Dolan/B.V. Mahayogi

Krishna has offered a subtle critique of the ritual and ceremony found in mundane religion. He has explained that the scriptures dealing with ordinary behavior really deal with the threefold aspects of this worldly subjective illusion. He exorts Arjuna to become free from these distractions, telling him “Become fixed in proper yoga and free yourself from illusion.”

But Arjuna has some valid questions about how he is to act. He wants to move from a theoretical discussion to something more practical. Arjuna is a man of action. 

"Philosophy is fine," he" thinks,  "but what are we to do? The atma may be eternal, but how are we to act?

Krishna’s teaching turns now to a more practical note. Karma is part of life. We must involve ourselves in karma as long as we are in the world. But we cannot control the outcome. We cannot be sure of how our karma will affect us in the future. Nor can we control circumstances or the environment.

Only a higher power can  control the environment.

We may be able to control our mind and senses and cultivate the spiritual wisdom that will lead to realization in divine love. But we cannot bend the environment to our will. We must do our karma according to our duty, but we cannot expect to enjoy the results. Arjuna needs to do his duty, but he cannot guarantee the outcome.

“Karma is there. According to your ability and qualification you must work. You cannot avoid working. But the results of your work are beyond your control. You have no right to the fruits of your action. Work in excellence. Strive for perfection. But do not expect anything. It is not yours to control. 

Events beyond your control may force your hand.  Give up the ego of thinking you can control the outcome. You are not the cause. The cause is greater than you are. And so, you cannot control the effect. Do your best, but don't expect success.

Don’t be attached to the results of your work. Inaction is also impossible. If you do not answer the call to duty you cannot avoid the karmic results. Therefore act, but do so without attachment. Stay fixed in the yoga of wisdom and do your duty. You cannot control the success or failure of your actions. It is out of your hands. 

This is the understanding that must drive yoga. Yoga means proper adjustment. You must seek this balance.

In this way, O Dhananjaya, act in the yoga of true wisdom, surrendering to the higher consciousness of divine love. Only misers want to hold on to the fruits of karma. You have spoken of the path of good karma but this is for the small-minded. Take shelter of the yoga of spiritual wisdom as I have explained it to you. This yoga is the true art of all work.

One who follows this yoga of wisdom has no fear of karma, good or bad. Therefore fix yourself in the yoga of the wise."

कर्मण्य् एवाधिकारस् ते मा फलेषु कदाचन

मा कर्मफलहेतुर् भूर् मा ते सङ्गोस्त्व् अकर्मणि

२.४७

karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana

mā karmaphalahetur bhūr mā te saṅgostv akarmaṇi

2.47

योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय

सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते

२.४८

yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā dhanañjaya

siddhyasiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṃ yoga ucyate

2.48

बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते

तस्माद् योगाय युज्यस्व योगः कर्मसु कौशलम् २.५०

dūreṇa hy avaraṃ karma buddhiyogād dhanañjaya

buddhau śaraṇam anviccha kṛpaṇāḥ phalahetavaḥ 2.49

कर्मजं बुद्धियुक्ता हि फलं त्यक्त्वा मनीषिणः

जन्मबन्धविनिर्मुक्ताः पदं गच्छ्हन्त्य्

अनामयम् २.५१

buddhiyukto jahātīha ubhe sukṛtaduṣkṛte

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tasmād yogāya yujyasva yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam 2.50