The chapter discusses the paths of renunciation of action and performance of action. Arjuna asks which is better, to which Krishna responds that both lead to highest bliss but performance of action is better than renunciation. One who abandons the fruits of their actions and has an integrated mind and intellect attains eternal peace. One who controls their senses and sees no duality while working for the welfare of all can attain Brahman.

1. Maximum Happiness to the Maximum Number of People for the
Maximum Time
CHINMAYAMISSIONBOSTON
The Holy Geeta
Chapter 5
March, 2015

2. Chapter 5 Summary
• Arjuna asks (5.1) Which is better (a) Renunciation of action or (b)
Performance of action?
– Both lead to the highest bliss, but performance-of-action is better than renunciation-of-
action (5.2)
• Yukta - integrated mind and intellect - having abandoned the fruits of
action, attains eternal peace (5.12)
• Knowledge reveals supreme Brahman like the Sun (5.16)
• The one who has the following qualities reaches Brahman
has his senses under control (5.25) - shutting out all external contacts (5.27)
who sees no duality (5.25)
intent on the welfare of all beings (5.25)
free from desire, fear and anger (5.26, 5.28)
who has controlled his senses, mind and intellect (5.26, 5.28)
having liberation as his supreme goal(5.28)

3. Chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga – Path of Renunciation of Action
Path of Action
(Karma Yoga)
Path of Knowledge
(Jnana Yoga)
Chapter 3: Arjuna asks which is better?

4. Chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga – Path of Renunciation of Action
Path of Action
(Karma Yoga)
Path of Knowledge
(Jnana Yoga)
Chapter 3: Arjuna asks which is better?
Chapter 5: Arjuna asks which is better?
Selfless
Performance of
Action
(Karma Yoga)
Renunciation
of Action
(Karma
SannyasaYoga)

5. Chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga – Path of Renunciation of Action
QUITE COMMON!!

6. Chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga – Path of Renunciation of Action
Do you see this happen?

7. Chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga – Path of Renunciation of Action
What happens in this time?

8. Chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga – Path of Renunciation of Action
• Arjuna asks (5.1) Which is better
1.Renunciation of action or
2.Performance of action?
• Krishna says:
Both lead to the highest bliss, but performance-of-action is better than renunciation-of-action (5.2)
A Sannyasi is one who is freed from the 'pair of opposites' (5.3)
He who is truly established in one, obtains the fruits of both (5.4)
He "sees" who "sees" that both the paths are one (5.5)
Yoga harmonized man of steady contemplation reaches Brahman (5.6)

9. Chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga – Path of Renunciation of Action
• Renunciation-of-action and performance-of-action
Are both of them alternative paths to Brahman? (i.e., can you practice one without the
other and still attain Brahman)
Are they to be practiced serially-one after the other? If so, in what order and why?

10. Chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga – Path of Renunciation of Action

12. Chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga – Path of Renunciation of Action
• He who offers his actions to Brahman, abandoning attachment is not
tainted by sin, just as a lotus leaf remains unaffected by the water on it
(5.10)
• Yogis having abandoned attachment, perform actions merely by the Body,
mind, intellect, and senses for the purification of the self (ego) (5.11)
• Yukta - integrated mind and intellect - having abandoned the fruits of
action, attains eternal peace (5.12)
• Knowledge reveals supreme Brahman like the Sun (5.16)
• Self realization leads to place/point of no return (5.17)

13. Chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga – Path of Renunciation of Action
DISCUSSION: Why is the SELF compared to a Lotus

14. Chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga – Path of Renunciation of Action
• How to be a Yukta- integration of body, mind, intellect- in our day-to-day
activities?
• What are the benefits of being a Yukta in our secular life?

15. Chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga – Path of Renunciation of Action
• The one who has the following qualities reaches Brahman
has his senses under control (5.25) - shutting out all external contacts (5.27)
who sees no duality (5.25)
intent on the welfare of all beings (5.25)
free from desire, fear and anger (5.26, 5.28)
who has controlled his senses, mind and intellect (5.26, 5.28)
having liberation as his supreme goal(5.28)

16. Story of Ramana Maharishi

17. Chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga – Path of Renunciation of Action
Establishment of the Ego

18. Chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga – Path of Renunciation of Action
1. Number of people are behind ANY success
2. Number of circumstances need to be just right
3. You are the INSTRUMENT of the LORD
THREE practical tips for conquering your ‘EGO’

19. Chapter 5 - Yoga of True Renunciation

20. Chapter 5 - Yoga of True Renunciation
• Discuss ways in which we can practice ‘Compassion’
– Attitude of Gratitude
– Motherly love
– Lovely love
– ….

21. Chapter 5 Summary
• Arjuna asks (5.1) Which is better (a) Renunciation of action or (b)
Performance of action?
– Both lead to the highest bliss, but performance-of-action is better than renunciation-of-
action (5.2)
• Yukta - integrated mind and intellect - having abandoned the fruits of
action, attains eternal peace (5.12)
• Knowledge reveals supreme Brahman like the Sun (5.16)
• The one who has the following qualities reaches Brahman
has his senses under control (5.25) - shutting out all external contacts (5.27)
who sees no duality (5.25)
intent on the welfare of all beings (5.25)
free from desire, fear and anger (5.26, 5.28)
who has controlled his senses, mind and intellect (5.26, 5.28)
having liberation as his supreme goal(5.28)