The Gita’s Guide to Life: Dharma, Action & Inner Mastery

The Gita has been summarised in a few verses.

Dharma:

1. There is a common misconception that Dharma means ritualistic religion and nothing else. The word Dharma actually means laws, both natural and moral that ensure right living. The Dharma of the fire is to burn. Dharma stands for an integral development of the personality, a comprehensive view of life.

2.Dharma differs from person to person depending on individual nature, from place to place and from time to time. Better if one's own Dharma (code of conduct consistent with one's own culture and environment) though defective, than another's well performed.

Karma:

  1.  Perform the prescribed duties (Karma) for action is superior than inaction; and even the maintenance of your body would be impossible by inaction (III 8).
  2. Karma (right action), Akarma (inaction) Vikarma (Prohibited action). 

Vikarma arises out of laziness and sub normality: both should be avoided as they lead to unnecessary wastage of energy, besides giving rise to other problems. Karma i.e. normal prescribed duties should be done according to one’s situation in life.

  1. Since an individual cannot live without action, Karma Yoga plays a pivotal role in a Sadhaka’s life.

VIKARMA (PROHIBITED + ACTION)

  1. Vikarma means actions prohibited by the society or actions which are totally condemned by the Sastras.
  2. Wrong action arises out of over-zealousness and abnormality.
  3. Wrong actions are destructive in nature and lead to unnecessary wastage of energy, and give rise to many problems.
  4. Right thinking, Right behavior, right company and reading of good literature is of help.

Dhyana (Meditation)

A disturbed mind is a constant source of trouble to oneself.  Psychologists, psychiatrists and physicians have been relentlessly exploring the various means leading to the control of the mind.  The Gita as well as Yoga prescribes the practice of detachment coupled with meditation as a means for attaining control over the mind. Through mastery over one’s mind, one attains control over one’s thoughts, feelings, and emotions.