“Therefore, Arjuna surrendering all your works unto me, with mind intent on me, and without desire for gain and free from egoism and lethargy, fight.”

Context of the Verse:

            Krishna is teaching Arjuna how to fight with devotion and renunciation. Importantly, He insists on selfless action, – doing one’s duty without attachment to its fruits, offering the sense of doer ship at His feet continued with inner peace. This instruction is the practical approach of Karma Yoga – the Yoga of selfless action with devotion.

Key Teachings in This Verse:

• Offer all activities to the God (Krishna) and surrender the results.
• Focus on the Self (Adhyatma Chetasa): have spiritual awareness, not body attachment.
• Give Up Desires: Work without hankering for the fruits.
• Let Go of Ownership: Do not take ownership or feel pride for action or results.
• Do Battle Without Self-Hate: Carry out tasks without being swept away by sadness, yet know that passion is the gateway to liberation.

Relevance to Arjuna:

            Arjuna is immobilized by doubt, sorrow, and attachment on the battlefield.

            Krishna advises him to overcome the feeling of weakness by:

• Giving in to fate (Divine will).
• Non-doing of Dharma (not fulfilling of his Dharma but only for selfish reasons).
• Fighting bravely with no ego, fear or regret.

            This message helps Arjuna to transcend individual considerations and act as an instrument of righteousness (Dharma).

Explanation:

            Some people who are scholars of Sanskrit. And who have been unfortunate, not been able to receive the knowledge in Parampara. What is the actual meaning of the words in words they may tell, oh why you are telling one has to sacrifice the results to Krishna.

            For God, Yagya means sacrifice. They do not know. They have not read Bhugta Ram Yogitapasam that great verse Krishna is telling. I am the ultimate beneficiary. They may argue like that. So, they should read this verse where Krishna directly is mentioning the purpose of Bhagavad Gita. Krishna is telling my unto me, Sarvani, Karmani, Sanyasya, all the work should be surrendered unto me. Directly my word is used. Consciousness should be fixed on me. Mind also should be intent on. Surrendering all your works unto me with mind intent on me. Consciousness should be fixed without any desire for gain. We do any work for personal gain. That is a Karmi, materialist, Karma Yogi acts, but he has no desire to enjoy the gain. Why? Something belongs to me ‘Proprietorship’. One is thoroughly convinced his body belongs to Krishna. Mind belongs to Krishna. He has created machine. I belong to Krishna. So, everything that I have belongs to Krishna, so he simply maintains himself. That is a Brahmana as we discuss. If there is little more money which is not required for that day’s maintenance, he will do charity immediately. Next day, again, he will beg for his maintenance or pick up some grains from the field or the marketplace. In this way, he will just have resources for that day’s maintenance because he knows Krishna is maintaining everybody. Tomorrow, He will maintain me in this way. He does not accumulate depending completely upon Krishna.

            So, this is ideal. So even though we may not be able to follow the ideal. We can be practical, but the practical way, it is told in the Vedas is, a person should not enjoy more than half of his wealth, up to 50%. He can enjoy the living standard should not exceeding 25% of the income, 25% because we are householders, we need to have for emergency purpose and 50% should be used in the service of Krishna. Please do not think that the results belong to you.

            The very famous Sloka which we discussed in the previous chapter, chapter number 2. That you have right to do your duty, but it does not entitle you to the result of activity. You have no right upon the result.

            People are realizing and they understand that ideal is just maintain your body and soul. But we cannot expect ideal standards from everyone. So practical is 50% at least you use in the service of God, you sacrifice. in this way, if you follow even this, even 50% could be more. We can start sacrificing a bit, but if you are able to attain this platform of using minimum 50% of wealth for Krishna. We will be having consciousness of a Sannyasi. Sanyasi is always in bliss. And the same bliss can be experienced by householder who is running an industry or doing the regular job. If he performs activities in this fashion for the satisfaction of Krishna.

          Krishna is telling ‘Nirmama’ a person can do that only when he is ‘Nirmama’ nothing belongs to me. Just like a cashier, he accepts so much of wealth to give everything to bank. He knows ‘Nirmama’ it does not belong to him. You work surrendering all your works ‘my’ unto me. And while we are doing activities for Krishna, we should be thinking of Krishna also or chanting his name. That is the recommended way of thinking of Krishna in Kaliyuga. Always keep on chanting Krishna’s name. So even though Krishna is in the background of the entire battle. Krishna is right that charioteers is sitting in front of Arjuna. But still Arjuna is being recommended by Krishna, ‘Manmana’ think of Me. Chilapa displays very nicely. So, we should do work for Krishna while thinking of Krishna.

            Another example given is that of a woman who is having an extramarital affair, that is not encouraged. Example is given who is having extramarital affair. She would be more careful people tell her if I follow spiritual life nicely, I’m not able to do my duties nicely. No, that is why this example is important. Acharyas have told she is always thinking of her Paramore beloved. And at the same time, she is more cautious so that nobody should suspect that she is having an affair. Thus, she is becoming irregular in the household duties. So she does household duties even more carefully. But in her heart, she is always thinking, when will I meet my paramours? When will I go out.

            In a similar fashion, person can be doing any activity. But ‘Adhyatma Chetasa’ in his heart he is always thinking of Krishna. This ‘adhyatma Chetasa’ will develop in Kaliyuga by always chanting the names of Krishna. So we can do all activities of practice always by chanting the names of God. If you belong to other religion, you have different name of God. You can chant that also, but that should be name of God. And if you are doubtful, then we have standard name Krishna. You can try this. You are scientific minded; you are very fond of experiments. Try this method and see the result in your life. So, this is the way. This is the purpose of Geeta. All activities that you do surrender the works unto me and mind should be intently fixed on me. Should not aspire for the enjoying the gain and understand ‘Nirmama’ nothing belongs to me.

            Now don’t become lethargic or nothing belongs to me. Everything belongs to Krishna. OK, let me do some formality. No, without lethargy and without feverish mentality, which people have, I want to win somehow. Without feverish mentality, without lethargy, full of enthusiasm for the service of Krishna fight.