Ultimate goal of karma yoga is to attain Naiṣkarmya siddhi – state of action-less-ness. Such state can be achieved by practicing Karma yoga.
An ignorant person goes towards world as he feels sense of incompleteness within himself. He thinks that the world (person, object or experiences) will make him feel complete. However, the practitioner of karma yoga feels fully content in his own Self and feels delight in it. He does not get attracted towards the world. For such a person, there is nothing remaining to be done, nothing to be gained and nothing to be lost. He is free from the cycle of Karma. He has neither desire for acquiring something (योग – अप्राप्तस्य प्राप्ति), nor for preserving anything (क्षेम – प्राप्तस्य रक्षा). While actions of ignorant are for self fulfilment, actions of wise are for the betterment of the society. (Ref V3.17 to V3.18)
Shri Krishna advices Arjun (and to all of us) to perform his duties (as a warrior) continuously, whether in good or bad times, without attachment to action, results, or doership. And do so with the best of his ability. Actions, when performed with such an attitude, makes one mind purified and focused, eventually liberating him from all bondages. (Ref V3.19)
To make his case strong, Krishna gives few examples to Arjun; examples of the wise ones who attained supreme through the path of karma yoga, path of selfless action. To connect with Arjun’s personality, Krishna gives example of Kshatriya kings. By citing “Janak etc.”, Krishna refers to kings Janak, Ikshvaku, Dilip, Raghu, Ambarisha, Druva and many more. Even after attaining such state (of actionless-ness) , these wise men continued to engage in the world and perform their actions, for the betterment of the world. (Ref V3.20)
Such wise men continuous to stay engage in the world to perform their duties out of joy or the expression of self. Man is an imitating creature; such creature can be best trained by leading through an example. Thus, these wise leaders, set an example by continuing their engagement with the world out of love and compassion; and to teach others to act with the right attitude. They realized very well that the world will follow their footsteps. On the contrary, if leaders do not follow the right path (i.e. perform their duty selflessly) and instead choose the wrong path, others too, follow such path. The entire society collapses by following actions of a “bad” leader. (Ref V3.21)
Lord Krishna citing his own example states there is nothing to be left attained for him. He does not have any obligation to act in any of the three worlds. Despite that he engages himself in action, as expression of joy of life, and for the betterment of the universe. (Ref V3.22)
It is the law of universe that, duty/obligation comes to us when we act to enjoy something for ourselves. Consumption invites commitment, responsibility, obligation. When you acquire assets to enjoy, you invite obligation to maintain it. You get married to enjoy householder life; you invite obligations as husband / wife. When you have an offspring, you are also gifted with responsibility of their upbringing and well-being. Such give and take are must, to have balanced and sustainable society. Thus, actions typically are done to a) attain what we need b) remove what we don’t need. As mentioned earlier, such needs are sign of sense of incompleteness. Lord is complete, he does not need anything from this universe, his own creation. Thus, there is no action needed by him, no obligation of any action. Despite that, His actions are reflected in the acts of nature like rising of the Sun, blowing of the wind, movement of waters etc. He warns that if he stops engaging in action, the world will imitate him, and chaos of inaction will follow. It will create confusion amongst everyone about their own role and duties, destroying the world. Human mind will start to wander or become lazy, if it is not engaged in the productive pursuit. One must continue to stay engaged. Thus, to set the right example for human beings, Lord continues to engage selflessly, for the betterment of society, as an expression of joy of the Self. (Ref V3.23 to V3.24)
Finally, in verse 3.25 lord highlights the strong attachment of an ignorant person to action or to results of action. Such attachment makes him focus or give his 100% dedication towards the action. He advices practitioner of karma yoga to have a similar focus, dedication and passion while doing any action for the welfare of the world, however with the differing attitude of no attachment to either the action or results of action.
Ignorant person does acts passionately and with attachment as he is deeply interested in favorable results. When attachment of results goes away, it takes away passion and deep engagement in the action. Then action becomes a burden. However, the wise man, performs the same action, with the same commitment, unattached with action or its results.
श्रीकृष्णार्पणम् अस्तु ।
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