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Samkhya elements in the Bhagavata-purana

by Jumli Nath | 2017 | 62,959 words

This page relates ‘Means of liberation: Karma-Yoga� of the English study dealing with the treatment of Samkhya elements in the Bhavata-Purana. The Puranas are a vast reservoir of Indian religious and cultural wisdom. Sankhya refers to one of the oldest and the authentic system of Indian philosophy ascribed to sage Kapila. This analytical study delves into the reflection of Samkhya philosophy within the Bhagavatapurana by researching original texts, translations, commentaries and scholarly articles.

Go directly to: Footnotes.

Part 2.2 - Means of liberation: Karma-Yoga

Karman or action is one of the ways of attainment of the state of liberation. Karman is needed for purification of mind. The purification of mind is effected by egoistic impulses and by bad activities. By exerting and cultivating good deeds, unselfish activities we can remove our impurities from our mind. Our mind becomes gradually free from selfish passions and desires when these impurities are detached. A 첹Dzī performs action in order to set an example to the masses without any selfish motive. By doing so he attains equanimity easily.

The 岵ٲܰṇa explains the importance of way of karma for attaining liberation. One, who performs actions without having any desire for fruits, attains equanimity. When one attains equanimity, the desire for fruits disappears and paves the way of liberation. A person who follows the religious duties (prescribed for his particular class (ṇa) worships Lord վṣṇ through performance of scarifies without cherishing any interest in the fruits thereof does not go to the heaven or hell unless he commits an act prohibited in Śٰ. He surely finds the state of bliss in the lotus feet of ⲹṇa[1]. When, the person becomes detached and indifferent to the fruits of karmas, then he can control his senses by constant practicing of contemplation on the Lord and directing his mind to contemplation, becomes a Dzī.[2] Besides, the 岵ٲܰṇa says when a person is not able to concentrate his mind firmly on Brahman, then he can follow the path of Karma. Such a person can carry out his duties, without expecting any fruit in return and surrender to Lord վṣṇ he will be able to follow the path of liberation.[3] In this way the 岵ٲܰṇa explains the path of karmayoga as a means of attainment of liberation. It is believed that by doing karman without any desire for its fruit leads to liberation. This is the view propagated in the 󲹲岵ī also.[4]

The ī may accept any path according to his liking, since all lead to mukti. In the path of action, it is advised to perform sacrifices etc. without any selfish desires. Again, when a man feels dissatisfied for his actions and becomes detached and when his senses are not being controlled, he should follow the yogic method. He, who has humble faith in God and who gets disgusted for all actions, should pray God with full devotion and firm faith. All the desires of the constant worshipers of God are burnt as God dwells in their heart. The 岵ٲܰṇa accepts all the possible courses leading to God, but its heart is set on devotion.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

svadharmastho yajan yajñairnāśī uddhava//
na پ svarganarakou yadyanyanna samācaret// Ibid., 11.20.10

[2]:

yadārambheṣu nirviṇṇo ٲ� ṃyٱԻⲹ�/
abhyāsenātmano Dzī dhārayeda Բ�// Ibid., 11.20.18

[3]:

yadyanīśo dhārayitu� mano brahmaṇi niścalam/
mayi ṇi 첹ṇi Ծṣa� samāsara// Ibid., 11.11.22;

[4]:

karmaja� buddhiyuktā hi 󲹱� tyatvā manīsiṇa�/
ᲹԳԻ󲹱Դǰܰ� 貹岹� gacchantya 峾ⲹ �// BG., 2.51.

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