Karma Yoga

Meaning

action
The fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim.

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Interpretation

“Karma-yogaJealous, Covet, Envy” (envy) is the responsibility to act. This is the plane of action, the first cell on the 3rd row of the game board.

The player entering adult hood first realises “responsibility”. She might have many questions – Howshould we act? How can action not be guided by an expectation for fruits?If so,does it then not imply that action leads to bondage?

In the Bhagwat Geeta, Sri Krishna explains karma yoga –

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Story

The path of “unselfish work” is the path of Karma Yoga (3.03). Whosoever, controlling the senses by the mind, O Arjuna, engages his body in Karma Yoga, without attachment, he excels (3.07). He who acts with selfish motives, incurs the reaction of his works, which we called the “karmic bondage”.

Therefore, O Arjuna, do your duty to the best of your abilities as a service to God and the society without desire or greed. Your actions will be “fruitive” but you must not have any intent to enjoy the fruits of your labor (3.09).

One who does not help to keep the wheel of creation in motion by selfless service, who rejoices on temporary sensual pleasures, lives in vain, O Arjuna. Acting in your own selfish interest is “meaningless” and “useless” (3.16). Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty; for by working without attachment, one attains the Supreme (3.19).

Arjuna asks – By what is one impelled to sinful acts, even unwillingly, as if engaged by force(3.36)? Sri Krishna answers – It is lust which subsequently transforms into wrath. These passions are the all devouring sinful enemies of this world (3.37).

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On the gameboard

A six thrown from antarikṣa (nullity or in-action, cell – 13) lands the player directly on karma yoga, from “delusion of karma” to “responsibility of karma”. She becomes aware of her socio-political environment and she has, by now, enough training to interpret and react. She realises that karma creates both bondage and liberation. Engaged with the right intent and with detachment, Karma, is the path to liberation from this cycle of birth and death. The placement of action (karma) and inaction (antarikṣa) on the game board encourages her to realise that karma is both in the plane of the manifested and the un-manifested, through the body and the consciousness.

Six places ahead, the player finds herself in good company, as a result of her good intent. The cell above invites her to vibrate with cosmic energy, the energy of the ādi purusha, while stationed in the plane of karma yoga. The planes of compassion, charity and purgatory are seemingly adjacent.

Diagonally opposite on the bottom right the player finds desire and lust. On the same row at the other end is parmārtha; her youth, she is revealed is a journey of karma inspired by parmārtha.

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