Re: Gita and Ahimsa (and Gandhiji)

From the Bhakti List Archives

• April 2, 2003


> Gandhi's assertion 
> is only as correct as the assertion of Sri Shankara that the Gita 
> preaches Advaita, as correct as the assertion of Sri Ramanuja that 
> the Gita preaches Vishishtadvaita, as correct as the assertion of 
> Sri Madhva that the Gita preaches Dwaita...and so on.

This is not a correct comparison in my view. These seers were highly 
spiritual and were able to communicate with the lord directly, and at 
several points in their lives, some of their works were directly 
accepted by God etc. Gandhi's views are not to be compared with this. 

>Great was the man, and great was his Karmayoga. 
> After all, who doesn't want Shanti and Ahimsa? 

KarmaYoga seems to be mis-interpreted these days when Gita is being 
used to teach principles for running large enterprises, management 
etc. "Sva-Dharma" now seems to be used to refer to the profession 
that a particular individual is pursuing and so on and "Karma" the 
roles and duties in that profession or post. 

A true Karma-Yogi has no desire for the results but has only right 
over his actions. He dedicates the outcome of each act to God. 
Besides, this Karma really means following what the Vedas have spelt 
out for him at that juncture of his life. NOt whatever he has taken 
up by his own will, may it be for a philanthrpic purpose (in his view)

-- pradeep 





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