GITA 3.7

GITA 3.7

nama srIsailanAthAya kunthI nagara janmanE
prasAdhalabdha parama prApya kainkaryasAlinE

There was a great Acharya Thiruvaimozhipillai. His original name was Thirumalai Azhvan. He was born on the same Vaikasi Visakam as Nammalwar. He was the disciple of Swami Pillai Lokacharya and he was the Acharya of Swami Manavala Mamuni. This temple got ruined after Nammalwar, and Swami Thiruvaimozhipillai reestablished the temple, renovated Alwar sannaidhi and established the four streets of present Ramanuja Chaturvedimangalam. We are at the sannidhi of this great Acharya. Because of his great involvement in Thiruvaimozhi of Nammalwar, he got his name as Thiruvaimozhipillai. Hereditary members are even now serving here. We will now see the 7^th sloka. In the last sloka Sri Krishna told that though one may be trying to practice Gyana yoga, without following Karma yoga, his mind would be after the organs. Such a person can never reach the state of Gyana yoga, and is a pretender or is in false discipline. The 7^th sloka is:

yas tv indriyani manasa
niyamyarabhate ’rjuna
karmendriyaih karma-yogam
asaktah sa visisyate

On the other hand, he who controls the senses by the mind and engages his active organs in works of devotion, without attachment, is by far superior.

"On the other hand, if a sincere person tries to start the karma yoga [Krishna consciousness] with the mind directing active senses, without attachment, he is by far superior."

That Karma yogi is praised. He is better than the Gyana yogi. Here, Sri Krishna tells that the not-so-intellect person, practicing Karma yoga is better than the person, who is directly trying to practice Gyana yoga. Yahatu= the one, indriyani manasa niyamya= organs are directed by mind. We are habituated to do something or other actions. It is easier for anyone to do what one is habituated rather than trying an entirely new one. If we find ourselves weak in mathematics, then we try a subject that is familiar to us. All cannot be experts in all subjects. We try to develop what we are habitual or familiar. In schools also, the students are trained in hobbies of their choice, and the talent is brought out. So Sri Krishna encourages those who are habitual in doing karma. We have to involve our organs in some activity. Can we do what we are already doing? Here Swami Vedanta Desika in his Tatparya Chandrika, gives a wonderful commentary. We have to involve our organs and senses in activities that serve God or in activities permitted by Shastra or activities that are our duty. Our mind should direct in such activities and this is what Sri Krishna means in the sloka. Organs are habituated to do some actions. So our mind should direct them in noble work. By doing this way we get double benefit: one, the organs are involved in their routine actions and two, such actions would enable us to reach Moksham. Asaktha = detached [indifferent to rewards], karmendriyai= our organs meant for action, arabyate= whoever starts karma yoga. So the one, who directs his senses in the actions permitted by Shastra, and starts Karma yoga deploying the action organs, is the meaning of the first part. Such a person with detached feeling rises. He rises higher than this person who is suppressing the organs from their habitual activities but his mind wanders all over and pretends to practice Gyana yoga. Doctors might have advised jogging or walking for sound health. This becomes Karma yoga when we try to walk the distance to an institution, helping physically challenged children like deaf or blind, and help the institution to the extent possible. We get physical exercise and also social service. Similarly, other activities also could be done, and then we are said to have begun Karma yoga. This is possible for all of us. And we can get atman sakshatkaram.

                                                                    (continued)