Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verses 42 & 43 - Some thoughts

April 20, 2000

Gitacharya distinguishes between the ‘true karma' and ‘ritualistic karma.'

Those who conduct the rituals to attain special power and material rewards are

worldly minded. They shoot for temporary enjoyment without looking for true

happiness. The ultimate goal of those who practice ‘true karma' is eternal

bliss. They have the wisdom to sacrifice illusionary enjoyment for total

liberation. Gitacharya asks all of us to renounce selfish desire and acquire a

life of selfless service to the humanity with true devotion and dedication.

Vedavyasa who compiled the Gita and the Vedas seems to be critical of those

who try to misuse the rituals mentioned in Vedas (Karma Kanda) for personal

gains. In the entire Gita, Vedavyasa criticize the misuse of Vedic literature

for selfish goals. The sages and seers of Upanishads are also critical of

those who indulge in Karma Kanda for personal glory and material wealth.

Dr. Radhakrishnan sites following from the Mundaka Upanishad ( I, 2,10): "

These fools, who believe that only the performance of sacrificial ritual

(istaapurtam) is meritorious, come back to this mortal world after having

enjoyed happiness in heaven."

When Vedic rituals are performed according to the correct specification, it is

possible to attain heaven but this is a temporary arrangement such as going

for a vacation to a resort! Life in resorts including the heaven is for a

limited time and then one has to come back to the normal life. The wise will

look for a permanent solution and not a temporary arrangement and consequently

they will conduct Karma Yoga (true karma) instead of target oriented karma

rituals. The distinction between total liberation and vacation travels to

heaven comes again in chapter 9 and also in other chapters.

Recommended Posts