Spiritual paths from D-20 (Samkhya, Yoga, Vedanta, Jaimini sutras)

January 10, 2003

Dear Dr.Satyaji,

> Previously too someone talked of Mother Teresa, service and Karma

> Yoga. It is a misconception of most people that service is Karma

> Yoga. No this is not the actual version of any Hindu text. Seva

> (service) has a different purpose in a sadhak's life.

>

> But the Karma Yoga that the Gita talks of, is a different and

> generally misunderstood one. Karma Yoga is NOT about service, but

> DETACHMENT from what one is doing. Work without attachment to the

> results. Karma PHALA tyaga or Renunciation of the FRUITS/RESULTS of

> one's actions- this is the authentic meaning of Karma yoga. Social

> service is not karma yoga. If some one is serving the soceity good.

> But that is not an accepted means of attaining liberation according

> to Hinduism. Of course service is good karma. But a golden chain is

> as much as an iron chain. Both can shackle you. So again good

karmas

> or social service cannot give spiritual freedom or liberation. At

> best they can give you birth in higher worlds or in this world in

> better conditions. True Karma Yoga is about rising BEYOND both good

> and bad, rather RISING ABOVE the expectation that goes with work.

So

> in one sentence, Karma Yoga as taught by Krsna is "Renunciation of

> the fruits or results of Karma". Work incessantly. But do not be

> attached to the results.

When I said Karma yoga - I meant it in how Gita classifies it,

just as you expressed eloquently above. However, I want to put a

thought here:

Irrespective of whether advaita is true or dwaita is true, when

someone grows spiritually, a gradual realization dawns upon him/her

that all jivas in the world are the same. That *results* in

compassion towards all jivas. Even in my very very limited progress

in spirituality, I can see this clearly. The more I turn spiritual,

the more I become compassionate towards all.

In fact, Ramaling Adigalar mentions jiva karunyam (love for all

jivas) as a primary - basic requirement for attaining moksha. I

interpret it not as a requirement but as an inevitable result of

progress in spirituality. Though at that stage, one will not be

*attached to the good deeds (such as help/compassion to other living

things), compassion towards all becomes a habit due to the

realization. IMHO, this can be taken as a test to find one's real

spiritual attainment. Since at a high level of spiritual maturity,

one doesnt expect anything in return, it is beyond cycle of karma.

I have something more to discuss, but I will do so in cosmicroots

list, since it will be digressing from astrology too much.

BTW, PVRji/ Satyaji,

What is the effect of lagna, lagnesh in D-20?

-Siva.

vedic astrology, "Dr Satya Prakash Choudhary

<satyaprakasika>" <satyaprakasika> wrote:

>

> Dear Siva,

>

> I agree with most of your observations in a general sense. But

there

> is one misconception that I have to clear. Read below.

>

> > That was a very informative post.

> > The following is my extrapolation from your post coupled with my

> own

> > general understandings. Please verify/correct and add more

comments

> > as appropritate.

> >

> > Guru, Sukra and Budh stand for philosophical approach, while

> > representing different paths - but the methodology is

philosophical

> > or gnana yoga. Isnt mercury a significator for

> > meditation/contemplation?

> >

> > Saturn stands for Raja yoga or tapas (Patanjali yoga sutras

and/or

> > tapas/sanyas).

> >

> > Rahu - may be nyaya or no fully immersed in materialism.

> >

> > Ketu - mystic experiences? (under special conditions grantor of

> > moksha?)

> >

> > Mars - shows some aggression in the path. Depending on influence

of

> > other grahas mentioned above - E.g, Mars + Saturn - severe

penance,

> > etc.

> >

> > Moon - Bhakti marg???? or yoga???

> >

> > What role does lagna, lagnadhipathi, AL play in D-20?

> >

> > What about Karma yoga? - should that be determined by Saturn also

> > (as saturn stands for karma).