sri-bhagavan uvaca:

aruruksor muner Yogam karma Karanam ucyate|

Yogarudhasya tasyaiva samah Karanam ucyate॥6.3॥

            “The work is said to be the means for the follower in the beginning stages of the eightfold Yoga  system, but it is said to be the means in the form of renunciation for him who is already elevated in the Yoga system.

Context of the Verse:

            This verse is from Chapter 6: Dhyana Yoga (The Yoga of Meditation). Chapter 6: Self Discipline Summary: In this chapter, Shri Krishna explains to Arjun how to practice self-control, withdrawal and meditation to realize the self.

            Here we find Krishna making a difference between two-willed seekers:

• Aruruksuh: The one who is still seeking and has not yet even started on the spiritual path.
• Yogarudhah: One who has attained maturity in Yoga.

            Krishna underlies that Karma (action) is necessary at the beginning stages to purify the mind and Sama (mental peace, renunciation) is the means of the advanced seeker.

Key Teachings in This Verse:

1. Two Stages of Spiritual Practice:

• Novis need the action, Karma, to cleanse themselves.
• Higher Yogis concentrate on Sama (the tranquillity and inner detachment).

2. Action is not antithetical to Spirituality:

• Karmas are not to be avoided but can be used as aids in the initial stages of Yoga.”

3. Renunciation is Gradual:

• One may not abruptly decide in favour of action; it is the result of mastery in discipline.

4. Yoga is Progressive:

• The process of spiritual growth shifts from action to inaction in a single instant.

5. Mental Peace is the Goal:

• If Yoga is the essence of life manifested in the regularity, it from inner tranquillity and self-control that Yoga has its end.

Relevance to Arjuna:

            Arjuna is confused whether he should act (fight) or abandon (withdraw). This verse guides him:

• Being such, he is yet to be established in Yoga; hence Karma (in his case, doing his duty as a kshatriya) is the right thing for him.
• For him, the stage of renunciation (Sama) is not yet appropriate; action will enable his spiritual growth.

            So, Krishna is indirectly urging Arjuna to go on right action (which is the battle) without any attachment.

Explanation:

            In this chapter, Krishna is going to define the process of Astanga Yoga which is having eight parts. (8) These are eight items as at emerged, under a genuine spiritual master, that is in called Astanga-yoga. Not only practicing some breathing exercise, Pranayam a portion and some physical exercises, which are called Asana. These are only two out of the eight, which are said to be practised for obtaining the object of Yoga.

            In fact, nobody should be calling oneself a Yog guru. For whatever we are seeing the Yoga system, are useful for laughter therapy, that’s also for which they are giving classes but not fully according to our weather condition or seasonably and one of kind exercise for benefits for health. So, it is actually, Yoga is not from physical, it is rather going beyond physique to reach out to spiritual level. So, anyone who is really well versed in this art of Astanga Yoga, he must have Asta Siddhis also. We can become less than the least.

            Nobody can lock him anywhere. This is a Siddhi. And the Britishers also have in the records, they pick up a man in the jail today and he used to be out the next day. They try to nab that Sadhu so many times, and then he would be out. We could not recognize even to this as so many times. This call Anima Siddhi. Likewise, Sukhdev Goswami released personality who was 16 years in gestation son of Bedabyas. How is it possible? So liberated beings could maybe have these powers. Laghima, then you can be as light as a human being, you can walk on water or sunbeams. Such things are possible. So, Mahima these things can be very, very big. So, what all descriptions we find in the Krishna Lila, the very huge, uh, bird or snake or horse. We think it is mythology. It is not mythology. It is a fact. Those people were great Yogis. Yogis can change the form. We can still alter the shape now. Although not much. Now we win such battles only about changing the gender. Female can become male and male to female. The entire body also can change in the same manner.

            We’re doing this thing in gross procedure. But by indirect means also this could be done. And that is a Yog Siddhi. You can transform, become as you would like, anything in universe, any planet, you can extend hand and get it. And you can read people’s minds. So, they say that a perfect Yogi should possess these eight Siddhis. Today, no one, not even a single person, has any such Siddhi.

            What we are accepting as on today in the name of Astanga Yoga Its only Pranayam and Aasan; it meant to keep the body and the intellect sound. Body should be toned, mind should be calm as only with calm mind person could concentrate on the super soul present in the heart, that is the target of Yoga. The goal is lost, all that remains is gyming.

            Here Krishna says, there are two, stages to this Astanga Yoga. Asanas and Pranayam, these are all works. You need to spread your hands and legs, twist and turn yourself, breathe in, breathe out. And before that – even with practicing the physical postures (the don’ts and dos and don’ts), the breathing exercises are very important. Which Krishna will tell, people don’t know and don’t follow that. These does and don’ts are also very, very hard to do.” So, after Yama and Niyama, you do Asana and Pranayam.

            This is described as fruitive activities. And for now, at least the form of the end is to be cessation of work. Then you immediately stop work and meditate on the Supreme Lord in the heart.