The Four Yogas

The Gita is basically a textbook on the science of Yoga, the path to self-realization. But there is no one path, and in fact, the Gita presents four of them. Jnana Yoga is the yoga of knowledge, with practitioners using their will and knowledge to disassociate themselves from the body, mind and senses. Bhakti Yoga shows the path through devotion and love (also the path taken mostly by Christianity, Judaism and Islam). The third is Karma Yoga, the path of selfless action. And finally Raja Yoga, the path of meditation.

Interestingly, the Gita begins with Karma Yoga (action), followed by Jnana Yoga (knowledge) and finally Bhakti Yoga (love). While pursuing different points of views and paths, the Gita provides something for every kind of spiritual aspirant.

If one word describes the essence of Gita, it is renunciation. But unlike the image it conjures, renunciation is not about giving up material things, and living a drab life without anything we value. It only talks about giving up selfish attachments to things and people. It promotes nishkama karma, actions without selfishness. It doesn't mean action without any interest in the results. After all, if you do not have a stake in the results, your actions are not likely to be strong enough! Kama doesn't mean desire, it means selfish desire. Without desire, which fuels life, you will not achieve anything, leave alone self-realization! Gita advocates only that you act to achieve results, and to be selfless in your actions, doing it for the larger good.

So, the modern you, do not hide under the Gita and give excuses for inaction. Do something for the good of others, and reap the fruits of your karma.

As Krishna says to Arjun: You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of work. You should never engage in action for the sake of reward, not should you long for inaction.