[Advaita-l] Dharma

[Jaldhar H. Vyas]

On Wed, 8 Dec 2004, Sankaran Aniruddhan wrote:

> namaste,
>
> Is it correct to say that:
>
> karmayogi - performs karma, gives up *attachment* to fruit of karma, however
> does receive its fruit since he identifies himself with actions.
>

Even the karmayogi should give up kamya karma (things done for
purely for personal pleasure.) But otherwise this is a good definition.

> sannyAsin - gives up nityakarma etc (and of course attachment to its fruit),
> but performs residual activities like nidhidhyAsana etc, receives its fruit.
>

sannyasis can be of two types.  One who renounces action as it is an
impediment to his pursuit of jnana, and the other who is already a jnani
and therefore sees w the futility of action.

> jnAni - performs no karma, performs minimal activities required for
> sustenance of body,

Note that actions to e.g. breathing or to satisfy hunger, thirst etc. are
not counted as karma because they are purely instinctual.

> does not identify himself with any action, receives no
> fruit of any action.

Yes and such a person is a jivanmukta (liberated in this life.)

-- 
Jaldhar H. Vyas <jaldhar at braincells.com>
It's a boy! See the pictures - http://www.braincells.com/nilagriva/