BG3.10

[I was away to Madras and so there is a delay. My thanks are to my mother-in-law for the recordings on 25^th, 26^th and 27^th].

On 27^th July, the lecture was from Thiruanbil. We are to see 9^th sloka. Sri Anbil Perumal travels all the 20 miles and reaches the Vadathirukkaveri [Kollidam river] on Masi month Magam and blesses the devotees. Sri Krishna explained why we have to perform rituals as mentioned in Vedas. Because of lack of time we tend to ask the need for these rituals. Secondly, in the Kali yug, importance for old values and rituals are questioned and modern concepts replace. Feeding poor and meditation are enough, we think and question the need for rituals to please our deceased ancestors. Earlier Arjuna raised a doubt that when Karma yoga is done, we get into likes and dislikes. This may involve us further in the worldly matters or samsaram. Sri Krishna tells that in Karma yoga, He has specified the works and their rewards.

yajnarthat karmano ’nyatra
loko ’yam karma-bandhanah
tad-artham karma kaunteya
mukta-sangah samacara

"Work done as a sacrifice for Vishnu has to be performed, otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage."

Yagnarthath= for the sake of yagna, karmano anyatra= works done other than for yagna, lokoyam karma bandhana= would bind the people in this samsaram, [that means all karma done as deva pooja or for yagna will not incur papa. All other actions will get us papa and immerse us in samsaram]. Sanga = attachments, mukta= free, tad artham= for the sake of deva pooja, karma= do, kaunteya= Son of Kunthi. So we derive the meaning of this sloka as we do deva pooja and that too without attachment. This will lead us to Moksham. But deva pooja with attachments or non-deva pooja actions will involve us more and more in samsaram. Here yagna does not mean we have to perform those pooja in front of sacred fire. Those will be done by a few qualified. But all of us can worship the Lord at Anbil. It will look difficult to do these without attachments. But gradually we can develop detachment and succeed. Just as we serve our parents or guests we can surely perform deva pooja without expecting any reward or without the pride that we are doing. Sri Krishna therefore tells that any social service as service to God with no attachments will raise the doer to higher level.