Srimad Bhagavad Gita, AS IT IS, Chapter 5, Presentation Notes

Bhagavad Gita - 5
Karma-yoga
Action in Krsna Consciousness

Based on the
Teachings of His
Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada

oà ajïäna-timirändhasya jïänäïjana-çaläkayä
cakñur unmélitaà yena tasmai çré-gurave namaù
çré-caitanya-mano-'bhéñöaà sthäpitaà yena bhü-tale
svayaà rüpaù kadä mahyaà dadäti sva-padäntikam
vande 'haà çré-guroù çré-yuta-pada-kamalaà çré-gurün vaiñëaväàç ca
çré-rüpaà sägrajätaà saha-gaëa-raghunäthänvitaà taà sa-jévam
sädvaitaà sävadhütaà parijana-sahitaà kåñëa-caitanya-devaà
çré-rädhä-kåñëa-pädän saha-gaëa-lalitä-çré-viçäkhänvitäàç ca
he kåñëa karuëä-sindho déna-bandho jagat-pate
gopeça gopikä-känta rädhä-känta namo 'stu te
tapta-käïcana-gauräìgi rädhe våndävaneçvari
våñabhänu-sute devi praëamämi hari-priye
väïchä-kalpatarubhyaç ca kåpä-sindhubhya eva ca
patitänäà pävanebhyo vaiñëavebhyo namo namaù
çré-kåñëa-caitanya prabhu-nityänanda
çré-advaita gadädhara çréväsädi-gaura-bhakta-vånda
hare kåñëa hare kåñëa kåñëa kåñëa hare hare
hare räma hare räma räma räma hare hare
Mangalacarana

Summary – Chapter 1 & 2
BG 2.6
Indecision
Arjuna's reasons for not
wishing to fight
Observing the Armies
Arjuna
surrenders to
Lord Krsna
Chapter 2
Enjoyment
Saintliness and
fear of sinful
reactions
Compassion
Destruction
of Family
Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna
Chapter 1

Summary – Chapter 2
Lord Krsna
summarizes all
the instruction
of Bhagavad
Gita
Sankhya
Philosophy
Analytical study
of Matter and
Spirit (Soul)
Soul is
eternal,
imperishable
Material body
is inert and
outer covering
of soul
Since Arjuna was horrified
at the thought of Killing
His relatives, Krsna begins
His teachings
Karma Kanda
If Arjuna
dies in battle
he will be
promoted to
heaven
If He wins
the battle,
He will rule
the earth
Dishonor
will
overcome
Him if He
leaves the
battlefield
Buddhi Yoga or
Niskama Karma Yoga
Work in
the mode
of selfless
service
Unattached
to the
results of
the world
With Mind
focused on
Krsna
With Resolute
Determination
Fight simply because it
is Krsna's desire
Art of all Work
Do not get
any Sinful
Reaction
Able to get
out of the
cycle of birth
and death
Results
Symptoms of Self
Realized Souls
Free from
desire to enjoy
the senses
Have a steady
mind
Indifferent
from good &
evil
Have a taste for
devotional
activities
Control the
senses by
engaging them in
the devotional
activities
Being thus
situated at the
time of death,
one can enter
into the kingdom
of God
One who is not connected with the
supreme or not doing devotional
activity cannot have Steady Mind
or Peace or Happiness

Arjuna asks
Why Lord
Krsna wants
Him to fight?
Lord Recommended
Buddhi Yoga
Condemn Fruitive
Activities
Arjuna confuses
Buddhi Yoga as
retirement from
active life
Lord Krsna
says He has
actually
recommended
1 process with
2 stages ie
Karma &
Jnana
Lord Krsna
replies that
there are 2
ways to
realize self
Sankhya-yoga
Analytical
Study
Purifying senses by
Philosophical Process
Karma-yoga
Niskama
Karma
Buddhi-Yoga
Working in Devotion
Soul Active by nature,
giving up work
without purification
of materialistic
contamination will not
get perfection
One will be
pretender as the
senses may be
restrained but the
mind will dwell on
sense objects.
Performing work in
devotion(KC), one’s
prescribed duty is
better than not
performing any
work.
Work in devotion
performed for
satisfaction of Vishnu
will cleanse the heart
of materialistic
propensities and make
one free from bondage
According to
Arjuna the War
was a Fruitive
Activity
If one cannot perform work in
devotion with detachment,
then perform work as
prescribed in the Karma
Kanda section of the Vedas by
performing Yagna/sacrifices
for the pleasure of Vishnu.
One fully absorbed in
KC has no other duty to
perform and by working
thus with detachment
one will attain the
Supreme
Perfected soul still
performs one’s
prescribed duties with
detachment to set an
example. Eg. Janaka,
Lord Krishna
Act to set an example
Result
Work only for
Lord Krishna
Without
Self
Motivation
Following
Teachings
Faithfully
Free from
Lethargy
Free from
Bondage
Attain
Perfection
Senses,
Mind &
Intelligence
covers
soul's
knowledge
Lust–All devouring Enemy
Purpose of Bhagavad Gita
By regulating
Senses, Performance
of duties with
detachment, steady
the mind by
deliberate spiritual
intelligence – KC
How to
conquer Lust?
Sitting places
of Lust
Without
Envy

Conclusion
Kåñëa
commands
Arjuna to
destroy His
doubts by
Spiritual
Knowledge
Armed with
Yoga
Stand and
Fight
Lord Krsna
reveals
Transcendental
Knowledge
Lord Krsna appearance
and activities
are Transcendental
Krsna
remembers
about All
past, while
Arjuna
Forgets
Karma does
not apply
Krsna
Reasons of
His
appearance
Deliver the
Pious
Annihilate
Miscreants
Reestablish
dharma
Krsna
reciprocates
according to
degree or
surrender
Krsna
explains the
intricacies of
action
Krsna describes
different types of
sacrifice
recommended in
Vedas that
culminates into TK.
Krsna’s
body is not
material.
One who understands do
not take birth again.
Everyone
ultimately
surrenders to
Krsna, for it is
Krsna who awards
fruits of work
Krsna creates the
Varnasrama
system according
to the modes. He
is beyond the
system
Krsna creates
Varnasrama
System
All liberated souls act without becoming
entangled, knowing Krsna gives result and
creator of Varnasrama
Arjuna should therefore, perform his duty
and fight for Krsna, but with detachment
Satisfy His
Unalloyed
devotees
Prime Purpose
How learned
Man in Full
knowledge acts
and is unaffected
by the reactions
of work?
Renounces self
interested actions,
acts only for the
Supreme, Giving
up all sense of
proprietorship,
acting only for the
bare necessities of
life
Kåñëa reveals process for
attaining TK - By
approaching a self-realized
guru (with submission,
service and humble
inquiries)
Ultimate knowledge is that
all Jévas are part of Kåñëa
TK destroys karmic
reactions and brings
attainment of “The
Supreme Spiritual Peace".
Faithless, however, attain
neither happiness nor God
consciousness.

Chapter 4
Lord Krsna reveals
Transcendental
Knowledge
Courtesy :
Gauranga Priya das
The Lord telling
Arjuna that all
kind of sacrificial
work culminates in
Knowledge
Renunciation in
knowledge
involves cessation
of all kinds of
work performed
as sense activities
Work and
Renunciation
appears to be
incompatible to
Arjuna at this
point of time
Understanding what Arjuna lacks :
Work in full knowledge (devotional
service) is non-reactive and is therefore
the same as inaction
Krsna glorifies
jnana and speaks
of action in
inaction and
inaction in action
BG 4.41
Krsna also He
glorifies jnana and
renunciation
BG 4.42
Armed with Yoga,
Stand and Fight.
Chapter 5
Karma Yoga
Action in Krsna
Consciousness
Niskama Karma
is equal to but
easier than
Renouncing
Work
Niskama Karma
Perform activity
in Knowledge
with Detachment
to Fruits of work
The platform of
knowledge
(entanglement) --
knowing the three
doers: the soul,
material nature, and
the supersoul
Liberation
through
focusing one's
consciousness
on the
Supersoul
Liberation
through
Astanga yoga -
- A Preview
Peace
Formula on
the platform
of liberation
Synopsis of Chapter 5
Chapter 5 begins with
Arjuna asking
question Which is
better : Work in
Devotion or
Renunciation of Work?
Lord Krsna Explains
in details, The
process of achieving
Liberation thru
process of Karma
Yoga
Arjuna’s Understanding

Chapter 5 - Sections
Section Verse Description
A 5.1 to 5.6 Niskama Karma is equal to but easier than
renouncing work
B 5.7 to 5.12 The performance of Niskama Karma --
working with detachment
C 5.13 to 5.16 The platform of knowledge (entanglement) --
knowing the three doers: the soul, material
nature, and the supersoul
D 5.17 to 5.26 Liberation through focusing one's
consciousness on the Supersoul
E 5.27 to 5.28 Liberation through Astanga yoga -- A Preview
F 5.29 Peace formula on the platform of liberation

Summary - Section - A
Niskama Karma is equal to but easier than renouncing work
1-3 Arjuna again asks Krsna whether renunciation is
superior to working in devotion. Krsna replies
that devotional work is superior to the
renunciation of work, and that one who is
detached from the results of his work is the one
who is truly renounced.
4-6 Although the results of renunciation and
devotional service are ultimately the same,
devotional service is superior, for the devotee can
quickly achieve Krsna.
Verse 5.1 to 5.6

Arjuna's asks, What is better & more beneficial? Work or Renunciation.
1 Verse 1
Karma Yoga ~ Action in Krsna Consciousness
Chapter 2
How to get out?
by buddhi-yoga, or
devotional service
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
Work in
devotional
service
Transcendental
Frees One from
Reaction
Easier than
Dry
Speculation
Dry Mental
Speculation
better than
Person who is
situated on the
platform of
knowledge no
longer has any
duties to
perform
Chapter 4
Explains Preliminary
Knowledge of Soul
and it's entanglement
in the Material Body
However, at the end of the
4th Chapter, The Lord
advised Arjuna to wake up
and fight, being situated in
Perfect Knowledge
All kinds of sacrificial
work culminate in
Knowledge
Renunciation in
knowledge
involves cessation
of all kinds of
work performed as
sense activities
Work and
Renunciation
appears to be
incompatible to
Arjuna at this
point of time
Understanding what Arjuna lacks :
Work in full knowledge (devotional
service) is non-reactive and is therefore
the same as inaction
Arjuna’s Understanding
Lord Krsna has
confused by
simultaneously
stressing the
Importance of both
Work in Devotion
and Inaction in
Knowledge

Renunciation of work and Work in devotion - both Good for Liberation but Devotional
service better than Renunciation
2 Verse 2
BRS-1.2.256
präpaïcikatayä buddhyä
hari-sambandhi-vastunaù
mumukñubhiù parityägo
vairägyaà phalgu kathyate
When persons eager to
achieve liberation renounce
things related to the Supreme
Personality of Godhead,
thinking them to be material,
their renunciation is called
incomplete.
Incomplete
Renunciation
Phalgu Vairagya
Complete
Renunciation
Yuktya Vairagya
Renounce things
related to SPOG
thinking them
material, with
desire for
liberation
Everything
belongs to the
Lord
Use everything
in His service
Do not claim
proprietorship
Rupa Goswami – On Renunciation
Path of Action
Fruitive
Actions
Actions in
KC
Karma Yoga
Work in Devotion
Fruitive
Actions
binds one in
cycle of Birth
and Death
Devotional
Service or
Action in KC is
the only way to
get rid of
material
bondage or
come out of
cycle of Birth &
Death SB 5.5.4-6
To act for sense
gratification –
Not good since
fruitive acts cause
material bondage
& transmigration,
each body is
temporary &
miserable.
Failure of life – If
no inquiry about
real identity
Only Solution
Develop Love for
Devotional Service
to Vasudeva
Path of
Renunciation
of Actions
Sannyasa
Jnana of
Spiritual
Identity
Dry
Speculation
(Renounce
actions)
One may think
that action
causes bondage,
therefore
Renounce action
altogether
Unknown of fact
that Jnana (of
spiritual identity)
or dry renunciation
is not sufficient for
liberation, one
must act on the
level of spirit soul
Action in full
knowledge
strengthens
one’s
advancement
in real
knowledge
Mere
renunciation
of fruitive
action
without KC
does not
purify the
Heart
Both Good for Liberation

Understanding Yukta-Vairagya & Phalgu-Vairagya
Lord Caitanya instructs Srila Rupa
Goswami at Dashashwamedh ghat
Also known as Markata
Vairagya or Smasana Vairagya
BRS-1.2.256
präpaïcikatayä buddhyä
hari-sambandhi-vastunaù
mumukñubhiù parityägo
vairägyaà phalgu kathyate
When persons eager to achieve
liberation renounce things related to
the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
thinking them to be material, their
renunciation is called incomplete.
Phalgu Vairagya
Improper Renunciation
SP explains phalgu-vairagya : River Phalgu,
dry sandy riverbed, find's water beheath.
Similarly, a phalgu-vairagi appears
renounced but underneath, in his heart, he
nurtures a huge desire to become God.
SBST explains : Monkey's Renunciation not living
naked in forest. One cannot be renounced until
distasteful with material activity & sees as
stumbling block to spiritual life. Smasana
Vairagya, Renunciation feelings in crematorium,
returns home, again engages in sense enjoyment.
Yukta Vairagya
Appropriate
Renunciation
BRS-1.2.255
anäsaktasya viñayän
yathärham upayuïjataù
nirbandhaù kåñëa-sambandhe
yuktaà vairägyam ucyate
When one is not attached to
anything, but at the same time
accepts everything in relation to
Krsna, one is rightly situated above
possessiveness.
Principle
of
Yukta
BG-6.15
yuktähära-vihärasya
yukta-ceñöasya karmasu
yukta-svapnävabodhasya
yogo bhavati duùkha-hä
He who is regulated in his habits of
eating, sleeping, recreation and work
can mitigate all material pains by
practicing the yoga system.
çuñka-vairägya
Dry Renunciation
CC-Mad 23.105
Principles of renunciation are
applied without consideration of
Time, Place and Circumstance

True Sannyasi – Neither hates nor desires fruits and is free from all dualities.
3 Verse 3
How KC
person is a
True
Sannyasi?
Has Perfect
Transcendental
Knowledge
Result of
Perfect
Transcendental
Knowledge
Liberated even
in Material
World
Perfect Knowledge
Soul and Krishna
are one in quality
but different in
quantity
Imperfect
Knowledge
Oneness in
quantity with
Krishna, because a
part can never be
equal to whole
One becomes
full in himself
No Duality in
Mind – Only
works for
Krsna
Implies no
Desire or
Hatred or
Lamentation
for the results
of action

Karma-yoga and Sankhya are same, since both lead to Spiritual Realization & have same conclusion
4
Verse 4-5
Sankhya
Yoga
Analytical Study
of Material
World
Karma Yoga
Devotional
Service
Aim
Find the Soul of
Existence
(Material World),
Serve in Knowledge
Aim
Service of the
Super Soul
Sankhya-Find Root
Karma-Watering Root
Vishnu - Soul of Material World
How
Sankhya &
Karma are
same?
CommonAim
Real Purpose of
Philosophical
Research – Find
ultimate goal of
life
Sankhya-Conclusion
Living entity not of part
the material world but
of the supreme spirit
whole. Soul's actions
must be in some
relation with the
Supreme
Ultimate Goal
Self-Realization
Detach From
Matter
Attach to
Krsna
Same
One who see’s both Sankhya & Karma are same, sees things as they are.
5

Understanding ~ Why Karma-yoga is better than Sankhya Yoga (Jnana Yoga)
Bhagavan
Paramatma
Brahman
Transcendentalist
Seeking Liberation
Karma Yoga
Devotional Service
Sankhya Yoga
Jnana Yoga
Dry Mental Speculation
Soul is
Active in
Nature
Needs
Engagement
using senses
Forbids
Sense
activities
Renounces
activities
before cleaning
Heart
Senses will demand
engagement, we will
be forced by our
unclean hearts to
engage in improper
activities
Result
Repeated Cycle
of Birth &
Death
PathofPathof
Lord Krsna’s
recommendation
Always Engage
Senses in
Devotional
Service
Engaged in good
work, will
automatically stop
improper work
Devotional Service
purifies the heart
when performed
with detachment
Result
Go back to
Spiritual
World

Dry Renunciation (Jnana-marg) is too difficult and distressful
Verse 6
Mayavadi
Sannyasi
Jnana Yoga
Vaisnava
Sannyasi
Karma Yoga
Study of
Vedänta-sütras
Çäréraka-
bhäñya,
by
Çaìkaräcärya
Srimad
Bhagavatam –
Natural
commentary on
Vedanta Sutra
Activities
Engaged in Study of
Sankhya Philosophy
Engaged in Study of
Srimad Bhagavatam
under Bonafied
Acharya Varieties of DS according to
Päïcarätriké regulations
Happily perform DS & go to
Spiritual World at end of life
Engaged in Dry
Mental
Speculation
about Brahman.
Cannot relish
Transcendental
service of the Lord
Destination
Since their studies
become very tedious &
tired of Brahman
speculation, take shelter
of the Bhägavatam
without proper
understanding.
Sometimes falls down into
Material activities.
Karma Yoga
is better
than Jnana
Yoga
Process is
easier
Quickly
gives
Liberation
6

Difference between Work in Devotion & Renunciation of Work
Courtesy :
Gauranga Priya das

Summary - Section - B
The performance of Niskama Karma -- working with
detachment
7-9 A pure soul doesn't become entangled, although
working, because he fixes his consciousness upon
Krsna. He knows that while the body acts, he
does nothing: the material senses are simply
engaged with their sense objects.
10-12 One who does his duty without attachment,
steadily acting with body, mind, intelligence, and
senses, just for the satisfaction of Krsna, attains
peace, while one greedy for the fruits of his labor
becomes entangled.
Verse 5.7 to 5.12

One who Works in Devotion, A Pure Soul
working in devotion has controlled Mind &
Senses, is dear to everyone.
Verse 7
7
Person
acting in
Niskama
Karma
Platform
Sees all living entities as
spirit souls, part &
parcels of the Supreme,
hence dear to all & all
living entities dear to him
Acting as
servant to
all living
entities
Hence,
Dear to All
Watering the root
feeding stomach
satisfies all the limbs
Mind &
Senses are
completely
controlled
Devotee is
servant to all,
therefore he
is dear to all
& satisfies all
Thus he is
always pure
in
consciousness
Pure
consciousness
leads to mind
and sense
control
Mind and senses
fixed in Krishna's
service, hence No
chance of deviating
from KC
Result
Never entangled
because work is not
based on desire of
mind and senses,
but based on
Krishna’s desire
How can Arjuna be offensive to others?
He was not offensive, soul
cannot be killed, Only
dress changes
Arjuna was not fighting
but only carrying out
orders of Krishna in
Krishna Consciousness

A person in the divine consciousness, although engaged
in activities, knows that only the material senses are
engaged with objects & that he is aloof from them.
Verse 8~9
8-9
Person
acting in
Niskama
Karma
Platform
Knows material
activities as
interactions of
senses with sense
objects
Always
engaged in
the loving
transcendent
al service of
Kåñëa
Although he
appears to be
acting with
his body and
senses
He is always conscious of
his actual position, which
is spiritual engagement,
senses are engaged in the
satisfaction of Kåñëa's
senses
Although engaged in seeing,
hearing, touching, smelling,
eating, moving about, sleeping
and breathing, always knows
that he actually does nothing
at all only material senses are
engaged with their objects and
that he is aloof from them
Result
Always free, even
though he appears
to be engaged in
affairs of the
senses
Knows soul is
inactive
materially
The Doer The Work
The
Situation
The
Endeavor
The Fortune
5 immediate &
remote cause
Pure in
existence
Always conscious of his
actual position as a
servitor - Senses engaged
in Krishna’s service
aloof from
actions
which
depend on

Performing duty without attachment & surrendering Results unto Supreme Lord, leads
to unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water
Verse 10
10
Person
acting in
Niskama
Karma
Platform
Acts
without
attachment
with no
desire for
results
Devotee surrenders
results unto
Supreme Lord, acts
according to
knowledge that body
is property of
Krishna and engage
in service of Krishna
Result
Do not incur
any sin
Lotus leaf is untouched by water
Everything belongs to
Krsna only. One who
knows perfectly well
that He is the
proprietor of everything
therefore, engages
everything in the service
of the Lord, naturally
has nothing to do with
the results of his
activities, whether
virtuous or sinful.
Krsna is the Source of everything
consciousness
Analogy
Knows that
everything
belongs to
Krsna only.

Abandoning attachment, act with body, mind, intelligence and even
with the senses, only for the purpose of purification
Verse 11
11
Person
acting in
Niskama
Karma
Platform
Act with
body, mind,
intelligence
and senses
only for
purification
Action in Krishna
Consciousness
causes automatic
purification,
because done for
Krishna's senses
Result
He is at once
dovetailed with
Kåñëa
BRS – 1.2.187
éhä yasya harer däsye
karmaëä manasä girä
nikhiläsv apy avasthäsu
jévan-muktaù sa ucyate
Anyone who, by his
actions, mind and
words, lives only for the
transcendental loving
service of the Lord, is
certainly a liberated
soul, even though he
may appear to be in a
condition of material
existence.
sad-äcära
It refers to Purified
Activities which
are easily done by
acting in Krishna
Consciousness
Ref.
He is one with Kåñëa
in desire & is devoid
of the false ego that
leads one to believe
that he is the body
Knows that
everything
belongs to
Krsna only.

Devotees attains unadulterated peace, non devotees
becomes entangled
Verse 12
12
Attachment to serving
Krsna
Attachment to Activities
& Results
Only attached
to Krsna, and
works for
Krsna
He has no
anxiety over
the results of
his work
Cause of Anxiety (SB)
is being one's functioning
in the conception of
duality, that is, without
knowledge of the Absolute
Truth
Activities in KC
are in absolute
plane. All that
exists is a product
of Krsna's energy,
& Krsna is all
good, hence no
duality
Is certainly in
Liberated
state
One is therefore
filled with peace
in KC (BG 18.54)
Only attached
to the results
of his
activities
Always in
Anxiety
Functioning in
the conception
of duality
Causes
entanglement

Summary of Action in Niskama Karma Yoga (Action in Krsna Consciousness)
BG 5.7-12
Action’s of a
person acting in
Niskama
Platform (KC)
Mind &
Senses
Completely
Controlled
Acts without
attachment /
no desire for
results
Act with Body,
Mind,
Intelligence &
Senses only for
purification
Devotee is always
servant to all,
therefore he is dear
to all and satisfies
all and thus he is
always pure in
Consciousness
Pure
consciousness
leads to mind &
sense control
Mind & senses fixed
in Krishna's service,
thus no chance of
deviating from KC
Person in KC acts
according to
knowledge that
body is property of
Krishna & engage
in service of
Krishna
Hence, Devotee
surrenders results
unto Supreme Lord
Action in KC
causes automatic
purification,
because done for
Krishna’s senses
Ref BRS Iha
Yasya...
Realization of a
person acting in
Niskama
Platform (KC)
Results of action
in such
consciousness
Do not incur sin
Analogy: Lotus
leaf untouched by
water
Never entangled,
since work is not
based on desire of
mind and senses,
but based on
Krishna’s Desire
Attains
unadulterated
peace, because no
anxiety for fruits
Krsna Consciousness
Attachment to Krishna
Body Consciousness
Attachment to
Results
Sees all living
entities as
Spirit Souls,
part &
parcels of the
Supreme
Knows
material
activities as
interactions of
senses with
sense objects
Knows soul is
inactive
materially. He
is aloof.
See's all living
entities as part
and parcel Lord,
hence servants
to all living
entities and thus
dear to all
Hence waters the
root, feeding
stomach satisfies
all the limbs
Devotee remains
aloof & free
because of Pure in
existence. Aloof
from actions which
depend on 5
immediate and
remote causes
Always conscious of
his actual position as
a servitor - Senses
kept in Krishna's
service
7 10 11
7
8-9
8-9
10
7,12
12

Summary - Section - C
The platform of knowledge (entanglement) --
knowing the three doers: the soul, material
nature, and the supersoul
13-16 The living being who knows that all bodily
activities are automatically carried out by
the modes of material nature, after those
activities are sanctioned by the Supersoul,
attains enlightenment through that
knowledge.
Verse 5.13 to 5.16

Soul resides happily in city of 9 gates, when He controls his nature and
mentally renounces all actions
Verse 13
13
nava-dväre pure
Soul placed in City of
Nine Gates
• Two eyes
• Two nostrils
• Two ears
• One mouth
• Anus
• Genitals
Soul
Cause of
Souls
Suffering
Soul placed
in body
Solution to
the souls
suffering
Owing to the
forgetfulness of his
superior nature and
identifying with the
material nature
Lives in the city of
nine gates
The soul has a choice
Although subjecting
oneself to the conditions
of the body, one can be
beyond those conditions
if he so desires
Revive ones
original
position
Comes out
of the
embodiment
By
Process
of KC
One becomes
completely aloof
from bodily
activities
In such a controlled life one
deliberations are changed
and he lives happily within
the city of nine gates
Ref : Svetasvatara
Upanisad 3.18
• When the living entity
identifies with the Lord
within Himself, he
becomes just as free as
the Lord, even while in
the body
• Therefore a KC person
is free from both the
outer & inner activities
of the material body
Role of Jivatma

Living Entities does not create activities, nor induces people to act, nor
creates fruits of action. All enacted by modes of material nature.
Verse 14
14
Role of Modes of
Material Nature
Energies of
Lord
(BG 7.5)
Superior
Energy
(Jiva’s)
Inferior
Energy
(Matter)
Cause of
Suffering
Living Entity
is not the
Master
Soul in contact with
material nature since
time immemorial
Temporary body is cause of
varieties of activities
&resultant reactions
In ignorance one identifies
with the activities of the
body & suffers the result
Prabhuh
As long as he is in
the city of the body,
he appears to be
master of it
Solution
He is neither the
proprietor nor the
controller of the
actions &reactions
of the body
Analogy
Waves of
material
ocean are
simply
tossing him
in the
struggle for
existence
Best process to
get out of the
water is by
transcendental
KC

One in Knowledge sees material nature as being under Lord’s control
& thus the Lord as the ultimate performer & the cause of all actions
Verse 15
15
Role of Super Soul
Super Soul
Paramatma
Soul
Jivatma
Anu
Atomic
Prone to
ignorance because
of limited power,
although Soul is
full of Knowledge
& Bliss
As a part of the
Supreme Lord he
has the capacity
to desire by his
free will
Desire is a subtle
form of conditioning
for the living entity
LE desires to be put
into a certain
condition of life, hence
stuck in cycle of
actions & reactions.
In ignorance, claims
that the Lord is
responsible for his
conditional existence
Vibhu
Omniscient
Full of all six
Opulences
He is always
satisfied in Himself,
undisturbed by
sinful or pious
activities
He does not
create a
particular
situation for
any living
entity
Paramatma is Witness & Permitter
Desires of the living
entities are fulfilled
only by Lord, He
fulfills the desires as
one deserves, Man
proposes, God
disposes.
Lord as the constant companion of soul
understand desires of soul, as one can smell
the fragrance of a flower by being near to it
Analogy of flower
Lord is neutral to everyone
Ref Kausitaki Upanisad & Vedanta Sutra
He does not interfere with the desires
of the minute, independent living
entities
When living entity
is bewildered, the
Lord allows him to
fulfill those desires,
but Lord is never
responsible for the
particular situation
created
When the living
entity desires
Krishna, the Lord
takes special care
and encourages one
to desire in such a
way that one can
attain to Him and be
eternally happy

Knowing the relations between Supersoul, Soul, material nature allows one to
be detached from all fruits
Verse 16
16
Two
categories of
bewildermentTo identify
oneself with
the matter
To think
oneself as
God
LE actually falls
into the last
snare of
nescience
If a living entity is
God then how can be
become bewildered by
nescience? If so, then
nescience, or Satan is
greater than God
Refutation
TK in KC
removes all
bewilderment
Glorifies of
TK
(BG 4.36-38)
What is that
Perfect
Knowledge?
To know
oneself
different
from the
body
To know that one
can never become
God and thus the
soul is eternally
different from
Supersoul (BG 2.12)
How is the
perfect
knowledge
achieved?
Seek out a
bona-fide
spiritual
master and
learn KC
under Him
Perfect knowledge
is achieved when
one surrenders
unto Krishna, as
sun lights up
everything in
daytime (BG 7.19)
Who is a perfect
representative of
God?
One who never claims
that he is God,
although he is paid all
respect ordinarily
paid to God because
he has knowledge of
God

Soul desires
Lord does not
interfere
Lord as
supersoul
sanctions those
desires that the
soul deserves
Modes of material
nature carry out
actions to fulfill
those desires, body
& actions are
choreographed by
the modes
Who is
responsible?
Benefits of
understanding the
position of the
Supreme
Lord is the director
of the choreography
who causes
activities to be done
through material
nature
Supersoul not
responsible for all
actions, because all
initiated by desires
of the LE
Courtesy :
Gauranga Priya das
Supersoul is the
ultimate controller
of the activities, but
not the initiator &
modes of nature are
the agents of the
Lord
Relationship between Soul, Supersoul & Modes of Material Nature
Courtesy :

Summary - Section - D
Liberation through focusing one's consciousness on the
Supersoul
17-23 Fixing his consciousness on the Lord, the learned sage
equally views the brahmana and the elephant, happiness
and distress. He enjoys unlimitedly because his
consciousness is fixed on the Supreme. Knowing material
pleasures as temporary, he doesn't delight in them.
24-26 Tolerating and checking bodily and mental urges, his
happiness, activities, and goals are within. He works for
the welfare of all, is free from sin, is absorbed in
endeavoring for perfection, and is soon liberated in the
Supreme.
Verse 5.17 to 5.26

Becoming fixed in Supreme to Achieve Liberation
Verse 17
17
Bhagavan
Paramatma
Brahman
Para-Tattva
Lord Sri Krsna
Supreme Reality
The whole
Bhagavad-gita
centers around
'Krishna is SPOG'
Bhagavan is the last
word in the
Absolute.
Bg.7.7 – 'mattah parataram...'
Bg.14.27 – 'brahmano hi...'
understood
as
How KC person proceeds steadily on the path
of liberation?
By fixing one’s mind,
intelligence, faith &
refuge in Krishna one
is washed of all
misgivings
One achieves perfect knowledge
in everything concerning
Transcendence – Thus achieves
thorough understanding that
there is duality in Krishna
(Simultaneous identity &
individuality)

Equality of Vision based on True Knowledge
Verse 18
18
Mundane
Vision
Spiritual Vision based on Knowledge
Spices Caste
Spiritual
Vision
What is
Spiritual
Vision?
Liberated
self-realized
soul can see
everything &
everyone
equally
What is the basis
of equal vision?
Spiritual equality of living
entities as spirit soul
Lord neutrally present in the
heart of all as Paramatma &
thus treats everyone as a friend
regardless of the circumstances
of the living entities
Bodies are the material
productions of different modes
of material nature
Understanding of
Soul & Supersoul
Qualitatively Soul and
Supersoul have
similarity (both sat, cit,
ananda), not in quantity
Individual soul is
only present in that
particular body
Paramatma is
present in each and
every body

Vision of Self Realized Soul
Verse 19-21
19
No attraction or
hatred to matter, thus
he is flawless and
impartial like the Lord
Equanimity
of mind
Result
One is considered
to have conquered
material
conditions
specifically birth
and death
Thus there is
no rebirth but
one can enter
into the
spiritual sky
How Lord &
Living Entity
are
Flawless?
On spiritual platform they are
free from all attraction and
hatred – this makes living entity
eligible for spiritual sky
• Being without desire or
hatred, One's intelligence
does not rejoice or lament
• One remains sharp in
intelligence
• Unbewildered - Fixed in the
self
No illusion of false bodily
identification - This
symptom is the basis of not
rejoicing or lamenting for
material dualities
Sthira-Buddhih -
Steadiness of mind
Not rejoice/lament for bodily
relations or achievements - Based
on knowledge that he is not this
body but fragmental portion of
Supreme Personality of Godhead
Unbewildered
Not misidentify Body as soul/nor
take body as permanent
Symptoms
• Being fixed in the self one
experiences great happiness
within (higher taste) & thus
one is never attracted to the
temporary sense gratification
• One concentrates on the
Supreme and enjoys
unlimited happiness
20 21
Brahma-yoga stage
One who is absorbed in Krishna
consciousness, looses taste for sense
pleasure
Test in spiritual Realization
• He avoids Highest material
pleasure, sex pleasure
• Spiritual realisation and sex
pleasure go ill together
Krishna Conscious person is
not attracted to any kind of
sense pleasure, due to his
being liberated soul
Example of Higher Taste
Yamunacarya

Intelligent Person do not take part in Sensual Pleasures.
Verse 22
Material Activities
Temporary
Has beginning
& end
Source of
Misery
Binding in
Nature
Intelligent
Person
Liberated Person
Does not
take part in
Sensual
Pleasures
Contact of
senses with the
sense objects is
a source of
misery
Such pleasures
have a
Beginning and
an End, They
are Temporary
Why?
Human life should
not be used to labor
very hard for sense
pleasure like stool-
eaters (hogs)
Human Life should be
used for performing
penances and
purifying the
existence
As a result of
proper penances,
you will enjoy
unlimited
transcendental
bliss
Teachings of Lord Rsbhadeva (SB 5.5.1)
Liberated soul is not
interested in material
pleasures – enjoys
unlimited transcendental
bliss
Ref. Padma Purana –
"Ramante yogino..."
Meaning of 'Rama' –
Mystics derive
unlimited
transcendental
pleasure from the
Absolute Truth,
therefore Supreme
Absolute Truth is
known as Rama
22

Tolerate the urges of Senses and
control desires and anger by
Acquiring Higher Taste.
Verse 23-24
Speech
Anger
Tongue
Forces of senses – Six urgesDuties of
Transcendentalist
Patiently tolerate
the "urges of
material senses"
Strenuously try to
control “Forces of
Desires & Anger”
Material desires if
un-satiated creates
anger
Mind, eyes & chest
becomes agitated
One must practice
to control them
before one gives up
this material body
to make steady
progress on
spiritual path and
achieve
transcendental bliss
Why to
Tolerate?
How to
Tolerate?
23
24
By
Acquiring
Higher
Taste
Hearing,
Chanting,
Association
Brahma-
bhuta
Stage
To enjoy
happiness by
factual
experience
within
No longer
interested in
material
external
happiness

Engages in purifying external activities by working for the benefit of others.
Verse 25
25
Engages in
Welfare
Activities
What is
Highest
welfare work?
To revive the
forgetfulness of
Krishna being the
Supreme enjoyer,
proprietor and
well-wisher
Who can
engage in
such welfare
Work?
One cannot
engage in such
first class welfare
without being
liberated in the
Supreme
Only one
engaged in Full
KC
What is the
Imperfect
understanding of
welfare
activities?
Physical welfare
or temporary
relief of external
body and mind.
Why?
Because the real
cause of one's
difficulties is
forgetfulness of
one's relationship
with the Supreme
Lord
Qualification
He is beyond
the dualities
that arise
from doubts
Mind is
engaged
within
Thus one is
free from all
sins and
achieves
Brahma-
nirvana stage
or liberation in
the Supreme

By fixed meditation on Supersoul one
soon attains Liberation in near future
Verse 26
26
KC person is the
best of all
Salvationists
Why?
Because effective
control of senses is
done by focusing on
Lotus Feet of Lord
which uproots all the
deep-grown desires of
fruitive acts
Ref. SB. 4.22.39
Meditation on
SupersoulKC Meditation
One is assured
liberation by
• Being free from
anger and all
material desires
• By being self-
realized, self-
disciplined and
constantly
endeavoring for
perfection
Brahma-nirvana
Stage of absence of material
miseries due to being constantly
immersed in the Supreme
Similarly, devotee in KC, although far away from the Lord's abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness
Tortoise brings
offspring simply
by meditation.
The eggs are
laid on land, and
tortoise
meditates on
eggs while in
water
The fish
brings up
its
offspring
simply by
looking at
them
Birds
maintain
their
offspring
by touching
Analogy of Meditation
Similarly, devotee in KC, although far away from the Lord's abode, can elevate himself to that abode
simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness

Vision of a
self-realized
soul
Equal vision
to all living
entities,
Irrespective
of species &
caste
No attraction
/aversion to
matter, thus
he is flawless
and impartial
like the Lord
Intelligence
fixed in self,
and one
knows the
science of
God
Never
attracted to
sense
gratification
Tolerates the
forces of
Desires and
Anger &
urges of
senses till
Death
How he
tolerates?
Fixed
meditation on
Supersoul,
Soon attains
liberation in
near future
Internal and
external
behavior/
activities of a
self realized soul
No
rejoicing/
lamenting
for material
events
Knows perfectly
about three
levels of
Absolute Truth
& constitutional
position of
living entity
This is
Brahman
realization
or self-
realization
Understands that
Contact of senses
with sense objects is
the source of misery
& continual
material existence
He experiences
great happiness
within, Higher
taste
Understands that
Sense pleasure is
temporary &
limited
By focusing
his happiness,
activities &
goals inward,
higher taste
Purifying his
external
activities by
working for
the benefit of
others
18
18~22
19 20 20 22
24
23~26
23
24
25
26
Summary of Characteristics of an enlightened liberated
Karma-Yogi (BG 5.17 – 5.26)
Courtesy :
Gauranga Priya das

Summary - Section - E
Liberation through Astanga yoga -- A Preview
27-28 One can become free from Desire, Fear,
and Anger - Fully Liberated - through
Astanga yoga.
Verse 5.27 to 5.28

Verse 27-28
Astanga
Yoga
8 Steps
Yama
Nimaya
Asana
Pranayama
Pratyahara
Dharana
Dhyana
Samadhi
How to
perform
Astanga yoga
Shutting out all
external sense objects,
keeping eyes & vision
concentrated between
the two eyebrows,
suspending the inward
and outward breaths
within the nostrils, and
thus controlling the
mind, senses and
intelligence, the
transcendentalist
aiming at liberation
becomes free from
desire, fear and anger
Introduction to Astanga-Yoga
How
Astanga-
yoga helps?
Becoming free
from all fear,
desire and anger
Control the
senses, mind and
intelligence
Feel the presence
of Supersoul in
transcendental
situation
KC is easiest
form of Yoga
KC person, always
engaged in devotional
service, does not risk
losing his senses to some
other engagement. Thus
it is a better way of
controlling the senses
than Astanga-yoga
People generally
think spirituality to
be inaction. Sitting
somewhere in forest
to be more spiritual
than working in
Karma-yoga. Lord
Krishna makes the
point that there is
no difference
between Karma-
yoga & Astanga-
yoga
Realizations
in KC
One can immediately
understand one's
spiritual position
One can understand
the Supreme Lord by
devotional service
One is qualified to feel
the presence of the
Lord everywhere

Overview of Astanga Yoga (Patanjali Yoga) System
Yama’s Niyama’s Asana’s Pranayama Pratyahara Dharana Dhyana Samadhi
Ahimsa
Non-Hurting
Aparigraha
Non
possessiveness
Sauca
Purity
Asana – Poses
Control of vital
force : Prana,
Apana, Samana,
Udana, Vyana
Satya
Non-lying
Asteya
Non-stealing
Brahmacarya
Sensory
control
Five
Restraints
Five
Observances
Santosa
Contentment
Tapas
Austerity
Svadhyaya
Study
Isvara
Pranidhana
Surrender
Withdrawal
of the
Senses
Concentration
Meditation
Spiritual
absorption
SamyamaHatha Yoga
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Summary - Section - F
Peace formula on the platform of Liberation
29 A person in full consciousness of Krsna,
who knows Krsna as the supreme
controller, and the benefactor and well-
wisher of all living entities, attains peace
from the pangs of material desires.
Verse 5.29

Verse 29
The Peace Formula
Chapter 5
Practical
Application
of KC
Explains how
Karma Yoga
can give
liberation.
Karma Yoga
Action in Full
Knowledge
Position of a
Living Entity
KC process gives
Spiritual
experience in
Material World
Lord is not Partial
by reciprocates
according to one’s
approach
Astanga-yoga is
automatically
practiced in KC
To work in KC
means to work in
full knowledge of
Lord as the
predominator.
Such work is non-
different from TK
Direct KC is
Bhakti-yoga &
Jnana-yoga is
path leading to
bhakti-yoga
Pure soul is the
eternal servant of
God as
fragmental part
and parcel
Cause of his
suffering is
contact with
maya (illusion
due to desire to
Lord it over)
One has to execute
work in terms of
material necessities
as long as one is in
contact with matter,
however KC brings
one into spiritual life
while one is in the
jurisdiction of matter
Everything depends on
one's practical
performance of duties
in KC, duties helps one
control the senses &
conquer the influence of
desire & anger
Steadfastness in KC &
controlling the above
mentioned passions,
one remains in
transcendental stage or
Brahma-nirvana
Astanga-yoga is
a process of
gradual
elevation by
eight steps,
These eight steps
only preface
perfection by
devotional
service
The highest
Perfection of life
Only devotional
service can award
peace to the human
being

Peace
Formula
Bhoktaram
Yajna-
tapasam
Sarva-loka-
mahesvaram
Suhrdam
Sarva-
bhutanam
Beneficiary of all sacrifices and penances
• Offer everything in the Transcendental Service of
the Lord
Supreme Proprietor of all planets & demigods
• No one is greater than Him; Greater than greatest
demigods Ref. Svetasvatara Upanishad 6.7: Krishna is
the Supreme Isvara
• The living entity is under illusion in trying to lord over
material nature but is dominated by the material energy
Benefactor and well wisher of all living entities

Chapter Summary
Arjuna inquires
Is Renunciation
Superior to
working in
devotion?
Krsna replies that
devotional work is
superior to the
renunciation of
work
One who is
detached from the
results of his work
is the one who is
truly renounced
Result of both
ultimately same.
Devotional service is
superior, for the
devotee can quickly
achieve Krsna.
A pure soul does not
become entangled even
while working as his
consciousness is fixed
on Krishna.
He knows that while
the material senses are
engaged with the sense
objects he does nothing.
One is unaffected by
sinful action and is not
entangled when he
performs his work
without attachment
surrendering the
results to Krishna( with
no greed for fruits).
Knowing
Lord Sri Krishna as
• Supreme Proprietor
• Supreme beneficiary of
all work
• Supreme friend of all
Peace Formula
Niskama Karma
Acting in KC leads to
enlightenment &
happiness within the
city of 9 gates. Situated
in realization, the
master of the city sees
the modes of nature at
work within himself &
others around him.
When one’s intelligence, mind and faith are fixed
in the Supreme one is purified of all misgivings,
develops an equal vision for all living entities
and free from dualities. Such a person is situated
in the Brahman and is not attracted to any sense
pleasure knowing them to be temporary and as
sources of misery. He enjoys unlimited happiness
as His consciousness is fixed on the Supreme.
Result of acting in KC & Vision
Tolerating and checking
bodily and mental urges,
his happiness, activities,
and goals are within. He
works for the welfare of
all, is free from sin, is
absorbed in endeavoring
for perfection, and is soon
liberated in the Supreme.
Preview – Astanga Yoga
One can become
free from desire,
fear, and anger -
fully liberated -
through Astanga
Yoga

Arjuna again asks Krsna whether renunciation is superior to working in devotion. Krsna replies that devotional
work is superior to the renunciation of work, and that one who is detached from the results of his work is the one
who is truly renounced. Although the results of renunciation and devotional service are ultimately the same,
devotional service is superior, for the devotee can quickly achieve Krsna.
A pure soul does not become entangled even while working as his consciousness is fixed on Krishna. He knows
that while the material senses are engaged with the sense objects he does nothing. One is unaffected by sinful
action and is not entangled when he performs his work without attachment surrendering the results to Krishna(
with no greed for fruits).
Action in consciousness of Lord Krsna leads to enlightenment and happiness within the "city of nine gates"—the
physical body, with its nine openings. Situated in realization, the master of the city sees the modes of nature at
work within himself and others around him.
When one’s intelligence, mind and faith are fixed in the Supreme one is purified of all misgivings, develops an
equal vision for all living entities and free from dualities. Such a person is situated in the Brahman and is not
attracted to any sense pleasure knowing them to be temporary and as sources of misery. He enjoys unlimited
happiness as His consciousness is fixed on the Supreme.
Tolerating and checking bodily and mental urges, his happiness, activities, and goals are within. He works for the
welfare of all, is free from sin, is absorbed in endeavoring for perfection, and is soon liberated in the Supreme.
One can become free from desire, fear, and anger - fully liberated - through Astanga Yoga.
In summary, Lord Krsna declares Himself to be the supreme proprietor, the supreme beneficiary of all work, and
the supreme friend of every living being. He promises peace from material pangs for anyone who knows Him in
this way.

BG 2.66
One who is not connected with the
Supreme [in Kåñëa consciousness]
can have neither transcendental
intelligence nor a steady mind,
without which there is no
possibility of peace. And how can
there be any happiness without
peace?
BG 2.70
A person who is not disturbed
by the incessant flow of
desires—that enter like rivers
into the ocean, which is ever
being filled but is always
still—can alone achieve peace,
and not the man who strives to
satisfy such desires.
BG 4.39
A faithful man who is
dedicated to transcendental
knowledge and who subdues
his senses is eligible to achieve
such knowledge, and having
achieved it he quickly attains
the supreme spiritual peace.
BG 5.12
The steadily devoted soul attains
unadulterated peace because he
offers the result of all activities
to Me; whereas a person who is
not in union with the Divine,
who is greedy for the fruits of
his labor, becomes entangled.
Peace Formula
BG 5.29
A person in full consciousness of
Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate
beneficiary of all sacrifices and
austerities, the Supreme Lord of all
planets and demigods, and the
benefactor and well-wisher of all
living entities, attains peace from
the pangs of material miseries.
BG 18.42
Peacefulness, self-control,
austerity, purity, tolerance,
honesty, knowledge, wisdom
and religiousness—these are
the natural qualities by which
the brähmaëas work.
BG 18.62
O scion of Bharata, surrender
unto Him utterly. By His grace
you will attain transcendental
peace and the supreme and
eternal abode.

Srimad Bhagavad Gita, AS IT IS, Chapter 5, Presentation Notes

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Srimad Bhagavad Gita, AS IT IS, Chapter 5, Presentation Notes