Gita 6.3

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For one who is a neophyte in the eightfold yoga system, work is said to be

the means; and for one who is already elevated in yoga, cessation of all

material activities is said to be the means.

PURPORT

The process of linking oneself with the Supreme is called yoga. It may be

compared to a ladder for attaining the topmost spiritual realization. This

ladder

begins from the lowest material condition of the living entity and rises up

to perfect self-realization in pure spiritual life. According to various

elevations, different parts of the ladder are known by different names. But all

in

all, the complete ladder is called yoga and may be divided into three parts,

namely jñ•na-yoga, dhy•na-yoga and bhakti-yoga. The beginning of the ladder is

called the yog•ruruks•u stage, and the highest rung is called yog•r•d•ha.

Concerning the eightfold yoga system, attempts in the beginning to enter into

meditation through regulative principles of life and practice of different

sitting postures (which are more or less bodily exercises) are considered

fruitive material activities. All such activities lead to achieving perfect

mental

equilibrium to control the senses. When one is accomplished in the practice of

meditation, he ceases all disturbing mental activities.

A Kr•s•n•a conscious person, however, is situated from the beginning on the

platform of meditation because he always thinks of Kr•s•n•a. And, being

constantly engaged in the service of Kr•s•n•a, he is considered to have ceased

all

material activities.

 

Rudra Vaisnava Sampradaya:

 

Visnuswami

Sridhara Swami's Commentary

Does this mean that one must practice karma yoga or prescribed Vedic

activities all their life? Apprehending such a question Lord Krishna sets the

parameters for it. Karma yoga leads to knowledge because performing Vedic

activities

purifies the mind. But once the mind has been purified one advances to yoga or

the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the

ultimate consciousness. Then one leaves karma yoga and becomes devoted to

meditation, absorbed internally with no inclination for external activities

which

impedes and distracts introspection and reflection. This is said to be the

means

for spiritual knowledge to mature.

 

Brahma Vaisnava Sampradaya:

 

Madhvacarya

Madhvacarya's Commentary

The time parameters of karma yoga or performance of prescribed Vedic

activities is explained by Lord Krishna in this verse. For the person who seeks

 

fulfilment in the performance of actions, the means to fulfilment is prescribed

 

Vedic activities itself which gives bliss and leads to the final destination of

 

moksa or liberation. It is seen that even those attaining moksa possess

equanimity of mind as the resultant fruit. Equanimity is eliminating all things

from

the mind that are not related to Lord Krishna. Even while experiencing the

prarabdha karmas or the consequential reactions from actions, the all

comprehensive and conscious presence of equanimity is seen to manifest in some

and

weathering out the impact one remains fixed on activities pertaining to the

Supreme

Lord. It has therefore been stated that only those who have perceived the

perception of the Supreme Lord experience supreme bliss and will their minds

fixed

in equanimity. But until the elimination of the prarabdha karmas has come

those of superior spiritual intelligence will immerse themselves in sravanam or

 

hearing and kirtanam or reciting the glories of the Supreme Lord Krishnas

transcendental qualities and pastimes.

Now begins the summation.

The comprehensive path for attaining moksa is equanimity of mind. The

compound word yoga-arudhasya are those whose continuous meditation bequeaths

equanimity. Those of equanimity in mind meditate on the Supreme Lord Krishna or

His

authorised incarnations as given in the Vedic scriptures while performing all

activities. Even from them prescribed Vedic activities must be performed with a

 

totality of being according to individual ability. Ones individual potency

determines the ability to complete an activity or not. Those who are able to

complete the activity are called qualified. Those who strive to complete the

activity but are unable to complete it are called aspirants. One who is

benevolent

to all beings makes the Supreme Lord pleased and merciful to that one. Such

qualified beings place the Supreme Lord Krishna or His Vedically authorised

incarnations firmly in the center of their lives through there consciousness,

meditation, words, deeds and every action. There is no contrary activity to

this

for them. By the performance of such action exclusively the Supreme Lord is

elated with that person. Serenity, equanimity of mind, self control, austerity,

 

restraint of the senses, rejection of the rewards of action and renunciation

are required for aspirants while performing prescribed Vedic activities in

their

striving for moksa. But it is also seen that the qualified perform prescribed

Vedic activities in devotion to the Supreme Lord even after attaining moksa.

So following in their wake it is clear that no one is exempt from performing

prescribed Vedic activities according to qualification before attaining moksa

or after attaining it.

 

Sri Vaisnava Sampradaya:

 

Ramanuja

Ramanuja's Commentary

Karma yoga or prescribed Vedic activities is the explained by Lord Krishna as

the means for ascending in spiritual knowledge and achieving renunciation in

their quest for atma tattva or realisation of the soul. But once a person has

actually achieved renunciation and is securely situated then the cessation of

activities is the rule and meditation, introspection and reflection becomes

the means for attaining atma tattva. Exactly when one is considered to be well

established and securely situated in dhyana yoga or the science of the

individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness by

 

meditation is next.

 

Kumara Vaisnava Sampradaya:

 

Nimbaditya

Kesava Kasmiri's Commentary

If the previous verse is true then does one have to perform karma yoga or

prescribed Vedic activities until death? Lord Krishna clarifies this with the

word aruruksoh meaning who aspires. If one is aspiring for atma tattva or

realisation of the soul then karma yoga is merely a stepping stone until one is

 

established in selfless actions without ego influence. Such actions soon lead

to

renunciation which culminates in dhyana yoga or the science of the individual

consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness by

meditation.

The purport is that an aspirant should perform prescribed Vedic activities

until they are securely established in renunciation which initiates reflection

and introspection, culminating in meditation which leads to the attainment of

atma tattva.