This year’s topic was the third chapter of Bhagawad Geeta on Karma Yoga. The talks were to be held for six days, but due to the government directive to close public places of assembly on account of the pandemic, the sixth day of the talk could not take place. Swamiji extended the talk on the fifth day by an hour and completed the text. About 180 people attended every day.
Swamiji explained who must follow Karma Yoga and who, Gnyana Yoga. He mentioned that Karma Yoga is for beginners and Gnyana Yoga is for the advanced seeker. Only a person with a pure heart can pursue the path of Knowledge. Karma Yoga is the tool with which one can purify the heart. He explained the technique by which an action (karma) can be converted to Karma Yoga. When we work in the world, offering all actions at the feet of the Lord, without insisting on a particular result, putting forth our best efforts and accepting the result as Lord’s prasada, then this action becomes Karma Yoga. Such actions purify our thoughts, making us eligible for the highest Knowledge.
Swamiji spoke on the five types of Yagnas and how one should act with Yagna-bhava. When we serve selflessly, the cosmos reciprocates positively. Thus there is then, an abundance of everything. People follow and try to imitate the leader or a famous personality. Therefore, it is the duty of the leader to walk the path of Dharma. At the conclusion of the talks, the audience expressed gratitude, looking forward to his next yagna.
