Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 51 - Summary of VedantaWhat is the ultimate goal of a human being?What are the 2 sadanaas?Are there multiple paths to moksha?Are the 2 sadanaas independent or linked as steps?What does buddhi-yuktā mean?What is born out of action / karma-jaṁ phalaṁ?What does "tyaktvā" mean?How does a karma yogi renounce papa and punya?What does manīṣhiṇaḥ mean?How does a person become wise?What are the 3 sadanaas in jnana yoga?What is the fruit of moksha?What does janma-bandha-vinirmuktāḥ mean?When does a jiva get freed from the bondage of birth?What does a jnani attain after the body is gone?What does padaṁ gachchhanty mean?What is the adjective that is given for the goal?What does anāmayam mean?How is the goal free from disease?What does āmayam mean?Sloka 52 - Indication when Karma Yoga What is the doubt that a sadaaka will get when practicing ?What can be the indication for me to know that I have completed karma yōga and have become qualified for jñānayōga?How will I know that I have crossed the first step and can get into the second step?What does Mōha kalilaṁ mean?Is there an ashudha and a shudha delusion?What does vyatitariśyati mean?In Where should the mist of delusion need to go beyond?What will a person attain when the mist of delusion goes beyond in the intellect?What does nirvedam mean?Where should one have vairagya on?What does śrōtavyasya śrutasya ca mean?What is the benefit of a person who is living his life according to Karma yoga?Who removes the delusion from our mind?Is the delusion in the mind inherent or acquired?When will Bhagavan not be able to remove the inherent delusion in our mind?What is the common excuse given by people?What do people mean when they say in "today's world"?What are the common things that people do under the excuse of "being smart"?What happens to those people who cheat a bit / skip their duties / gain something extra in this world of samsara?How can the antah karanam be split?What is the function of buddhi (intellect)?What is the function of manas (mind)?Where does the delusion reside?What is the swabhaava of intellect?What sort of Viveka shakti is required?Do all animals have this power of discrimination?Is the intellect capable of having disease?What is the definition of Moham?How does a person in Moham treat that which is good?Are drinks and cigarettes good for health? If not, then why do some people think it does them good?What is the biggest ashuddha that an intellect can get?How does moha affect the intellect?How does a person with Moha treat what is good for him?Will there be competition for anything that is good?What happens to a person's delusion if he lives by Karma yoga?What is a person's biggest strength?Are we able to change other people?Are we able to change our own intellect?What does the deluded intellect take the eternal to be?What does the deluded intellect take the transient to be?What is the wrong discrimination called in Samskritam?What does the avivekaha do to our understanding of atma and anatma?Why do we take the anatma to be permanent?When does money, relations, position, power, fame become our goals?Is it wrong to earn money, relations, position, power, fame? Should they be goals or means?What happens if money becomes the goal of life?When do we resort to Adharma?Will we be able to cross samsara if we keep our means as goal?What does Mrtyocha Mrtyum Gachati mean?

Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 48 (contd...) - Equanimity in Action is Karma YogaWhat does Samatvam yōgaḥ Ucyate mean?What does yōgastha kuru karmāṇi mean?On what should we abiding when performing actions?What does Saṅgam tyaktvā mean?What should we not be attached to when performing actions?What does sidhdyasidhdyōḥ bhūtvā samaḥ mean?What should be our attitude towards success or failure?How can we not have raaga dvesha on the result when we do the action with an expectation?How does the attitude of Ishvara Prasada help?Which chapter deals with the details of karma?Sloka 49 - Bhagavan's advice to follow Karma YogaWhat does dureṇa avaram mean?Which is far inferior to Karma yoga?Why is Karma yoga called Buddhi Yoga?What does buddhau śharaṇam anvichchha mean?Where does Bhagavan ask us to take refuge?What does kṛipaṇāḥ phala-hetavaḥ mean?How does Bhagavan call the people who perform actions motivated by results?Why are these people called miserable / unfortunate?Sloka 50 - End Result of Karma Yoga; Defintion of Karma YogaWhat are the 2 points made in this sloka?What does buddhiyuktaḥ mean?What dpes jahāti iha mean?What does a karma yogi get rid of, here?What does ukṛta and duṣkṛte mean?How does a karma yogi get rid of paapa and punya in this life itself?How does Karma yoga relieve us from karma bondage?What does karma yoga lifestyle directly give?What is the final destination for a person who follows karma yoga lifestyle?What is required to get moksha?What is the necessary condition to obtain jnana?What do we understand once we get jnana with respect to atma and anatma?Which of the 2 (atma or anatma) is connected to paapa and punya?What happens if we go to jnana yoga without properly completing karma yoga?stages are karma yōga ~ jñānayōga ~ jñānam~ sukruthaduṣkṛtamtyāga. Renunciation of all -transcending puṇyapāpa, which is called mōkṣaWhat does Tasmād yogāya yujyasva mean?What does Bhagavan advise us?What does yogaḥ karmasu kauśhalam mean?Where has the word Kauśhalam come from?What is the general misunderstanding if we take karma yoga to be "skill in action"?What is the nature of karma?How does karma bind us?What remains in the mind even after the activity is gone?How do likes and dislikes get created in the mind?What does this like and dislike induce us?What is Samsara?Karma - raaga-dvesha - karma - raaga-dveshaand so onWhat is chitta shuddhi?How does the karma yogi use the same action to liberate himself from bondage?What is the equivalent analogy that can be given with respect to thief & guard and snake poison & medicine?What happens to likes and dislikes if we do karma as karma yoga?Whether there will be new likes and dislikes if we perform karma as karma yoga?What will happen to the old likes and dislikes if we perform karma as karma yoga?Converting binding-karma to liberating karma is Skill in actionWhat are the 2 ways in which karma binds us?What is the adrashta phala that is created?What does the vaasanaas leave behind after we do that karma?How do people react to us? Are they predictable?What decides their reaction?How does our prarbda work? How does it decide on our transactions?What should we take these prarbda to be with respect to spirituality?What are some of the relations that we cannot escape?Should we allow the events of the day to disturb our mind?What should be our attitude towards all actions from morning till evening?Will performing actions with an attitude of karma yoga give us agitation / vikshepa / disturbance?How does karma yoga remove paapa and punya?How does karma yoga act as a shock absorber in life?What is the ultimate skill in life?

Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 48 (contd...) - Samatvam Yoga UchyateHow can all our actions be divided?What is Kartavyam jenma karma?What is Kaamya karma?Which one of these is optional?What are the 2 types of attitudes that we must have when performing karma yoga?How should Samatvam be defined with regard to performing our duties?How should Samatvam be defined with regard to results of our duties?Should we be affected by success or failure? Why not?When are we able to accept failures?What happens if I do not do my duty properly and face failure?When can we remain equipoised?Do duties and rights go together?What is our general attitude towards duties?To whom should I dedicate my duties if I expect my right over the other person's duties?Why should we dedicate duties to Ishvara and not an individual?What are the 3 issues when we expect our rights from the person to whom we have delivered our duties?Is every reciprocal arrangement equal? In a teacher-student relationship is the reciprocal arrangement equal?Is every reciprocal arrangement honoured?Does everyone show gratitude?How will Ishvara ensure I get my right?What is our fault when it comes to expecting return of favour or gratitude from the person to whom we performed our duty?Why is it considered business, if we do our duty expecting something in return?DEFINITION OF KARMA YOGAOh Ishvara, let me do my duty – whatever my prarbda generates / creates, as your command (as Ishvara Arpana), to my fullest potential with full commitment, without complaint or grumble, not allowing my likes and dislikes to interfere; taking both success & failure in my stride; without any expectation of return benefit or even gratitude from the other person – you please give me what I require at the time I require - I take it as your prasadaHow do we cultivate this habit?When should we pause & reflect?What should we do whenever we have an expectation; whenever our mind gets upset / distressed / sad; whenever we feel lazy; whenever we feel indifferent; whenever we feel like escaping; whenever we want to give an excuse?What are the 3 attitudes that one must have when performing duties?What is Kaamya karma?What should be our attitude towards this desire driven actions?Are we supposed to have any expectations on the result of the actions?What should be our attitude towards the result of the actions?What is the difference between enjoying something as prasada and enjoying something as sensory pleasure?Why is there a difference in our attitude and approach with the food served in temple and the food served in restaurant?What is the significance of animal sacrifice in rituals?How do Shashtras help bring in changes in the mindset of people who are at the lowest level of spiritual structure?What happens if we start dedicating (and taking as Ishvara Prasada) all our actions driven out of desires?Why do we have so many festivals in our religion?What happens to our animal instincts if we start taking all outcomes as Ishvara Prasada?

Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 47 (contd...) - Principle of Karma YogaWhy should one not have desires in mind when performing duties?What happens when we perform an action with desire in mind?Does Papa & Punya create bondage?What happens when we perform our duties with no desires in mind?What is the first advice that Bhagavan gives in the second line of the sloka?When Bhagavan advises us not to be the cause of karma phala, how do we create the karma phala?What happens if we perform our duty with a sankalpa out of some desire?What is the second piece of advice that Bhagavan gives in the second line of the sloka?Why can there be a tendency to drop actions?What happens if we drop actions before mental purity?Would we be able to give up the sukha buddhi on vishaya when we drop the vishaya?Is being in Solitude easy?Summary of Facts1. We have a choice over all actions2. Once the action is completed, there is no right on the result of the action3. Even though there is no choice on the result, the bhavana while doing the action plus the adrashta punya papa collected over various jenmas will determine the fruit of that action4. If we decide to stay away from action because we cannot determine the result completely, Bhagavan says do not resort to inactionWhy are these facts important to know?What is the second way that this sloka can be interpreted?What is the definition of Saatvic tyaga?What happens if we sacrifice or renounce something without a steady sattva guna?What is the disadvantage of inaction?What is the advantage of action?Is withdrawal important?Which ashrama is pravrtti marga and which ashrama is Nivritti marga?What happens if we go directly to Sannyasa?Sloka 48 - Equanimity is called Karma YogaWhat is the definition of Karma yoga in this sloka?What are the 2 types of attitudes that we must have when performing karma yoga?How can all our actions be divided?What is Kartavyam jenma karma?What is Kaamya karma?Which one of these is optional?On what basis are our duties defined?Do we require someone to teach us on duties? What happens if we fail to do our duty?Do we like to perform all duties?What prevents us from performing some of the duties?What happens if our raga-dvesha gets in the way?How should Samatvam be defined with regard to performing our duties?When are we eager to perform some duties?When do we generally drop / skip duties?How should Samatvam be defined with regard to results of our duties?Should we take responsibility for the results of our duties?Why would the outcome of the action go against the intent of action?Should we be affected by success or failure? Why not?

Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 46 (Contd...) - Jnana gives immense & infinite happinessDoes a jnani need karma kanda of Vedas? If not, why?What example does Bhagavan give to explain that?Will a small pond of water be useful for any person who has access to a large ocean like body of fresh water?What utility will karma kanda of vedas provide to a jnani?Will Karma yoga be of any utility to a jnani?Does a spiritual seeker need karma kanda of vedas?Does a spiritual seeker need karma yoga?What does "Yāvān artah udapāne" mean?What does "sarvataḥ saṃplutodake" mean?How much benefit is available in a pond when there is a flood everywhere?What does "Tāvān Sarveṣu vedeṣu" mean?What does "vijānataḥ brāhmaṇasya" mean?How much benefit the entire vedas can provide a "wise brahmin"?What term is used to call a person who has done jnana yoga sadana in this sloka?What term is used to call a person who is in sattva guna in this sloka?Who is a brahmin according to Upanishads?What is one who lives a disciplined life according to Vedas and to understand Vedas called?From what standpoint does the term brahmana have to be taken in jnana kanda and from what standpoint in karma kanda?What term is used in this sloka to denote a person who has lived the life of karma yōga?Why does the Karma kanda not be of any use to a vijānataḥ?Does Karma kanda and karma yoga help a spiritual seeker?Sloka 47 - Principle of Karma YogaHow can this sloka be interpreted?What are the 2 types of action that we perform?Does Karma yoga talk about action or attitude?Can we call any specific action karma yoga sadana?Are there any actions that are not allowed in Karma yoga?Why is karma yoga called "buddhih yōga"?Why is it necessary to have knowledge about how the world operates?What can convince ourselves to have the right attitude?How is understanding of a person or object related to the attitude?How is devotion related to knowledge of Ishvara?Do we have a choice based on our actions?Does Bhagavan say we have a choice over results?What is the FACT of life? Do we even have a choice once we have performed the action?Can we say "I did the job with a particular desire in mind and hence the result should be as per my desire."?Can we alter the course of the result?What is the expectation that we have of the result and why is it wrong?What are the 3 choices of action?What does "Kartum shakyam", "Akartum shakyam", "Anyata kartum shakyam" mean?Why should we be judicious and use our intelligence before acting?Can we have an expectation of the results?Is it right to get a doubt that if I have a right to action but not to results, why should I even act?What are the 2 outcomes to any action?Is adrashta phalam visible?What are punya and papa?When we do "dānam" to someone, what is the drshta and the adrashta phalam?When we steal something from others, what is the drshta and the adrashta phalam?How does the invisible bhaavana (attitude) determine the invisible adrashta phalam?If someone is doing charity work, will we know the attitude or the motive behind it? If two people use the knife and a life is lost in both cases, how come one gets punya and the other papa?If results depend on adrashta bhāvana then why are there disparities between the attitude and the results for an action?When the results of an action come, does it not come ONLY based on the attitude shown when performing that action, or does it also depend on the mixture of the papa and punya that we had accumulated over so many previous actions?Why does even when we put a lot of effort and have good attitude, the result does not match the effort and the attitude?And why do sometimes we put in a little effort and yet we get good results?What should our position be when we do not have a choice or where there is no privilege?Why should we not let our attitude be driven by our desires, especially when the attitude decides the results?

Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 45 (Contd...) - Method to get clarity on the goal and the path2. (Contd...) Nirdvandvaḥ (bhava)Is there anyone in the world who will always have favourable situations?To act Equi-poised, is it enough if we understand it?Will understanding alone give the benefit?What should our attitude be when we face small difficulties?Is there anyone who will have no criticizers? What about a monk in the forest?What are the 3 different types of relationships that any person will have?What are the 2 conflicting views we will receive when we talk well / keep quiet?Why is Rama a great example of being equipoised?Will we be able to sleep when we are excited or when we feel cheated?3. Nityasatvasthaḥ (bhava) - (Be) ever established in SattvagunaHow can I get over the pairs of opposites?Will the mind always be in only 1 guna?When is the ideal time for the mind to be in Sattva?What is Sattva guna characteristics?What are the indications when we make right judgements or have clear discriminative power?What are the indications when we are not deluded and think rationally?What are the indications when we are calm and patient?How is being patient help in facing pairs of opposites?What is the benefit of being in Sattva guna?What is the benefit if we treat the pairs of opposites equally and if we have been able to overcome desires?How to be in Sattva guna?4. Niryōgakṣemaḥ (bhava) - (Be) free from (the concern for) acquisition and preservationWhat does Aprāpthasya Prāpthi mean?What does Prāpthasya Rakṣaṇam mean?What are the basic things that we require for survival?Why do some people acquire and accumulate whatever they find?Why do some people have 3 or 4 things of the same type?Why do some people keep certain things even though they may not be of any use now?What happens when latest designs or latest models of mobile phones, sarees, jewelry come out?What happens if we are always focused on acquiring and preserving things?What will be the concern of the things that we have accumulated as we grow old?What promise does Bhagavan make to his true devotee?What guna should one be in for acquiring and accumulating things?If one tries to avoid Rajo guna, to which guna will that person fall?5. ātmavān bhava - (Be) mindfulWhy should one be alert?What is the meaning that Śankarācārya gives?What does apramattaḥ bhava mean?How can one not be careless?What guna should one not be in to be alert?What are the characteristics of Tamo guna?What does Laziness, Delusion, Carelessness indicate?The steps that Bhagavan has given:1. ātmavānbhava -Be Free from Tamo Guna. Be alert2. niryōgakṣemaḥbhava –Be free from Rajo Guna. Be free from (the concern for acquisition and preservation. Then what?3. nityasatvasthaḥ(bhava) (Be) ever established in Sattvaguna. Only after one becomes a jnani, a person crosses even sattva guna. Until then the seeker has to be in sattva. If we were in sattva guna, how would that person be?4. nirdvandvaḥbhava Be free from (the hold of) the pairs of opposites. If we had crossed the pairs of opposites5. Nistraiguṇyōbhava means niṣkāmobhava. We would have overcome desires. There would be no demands from us. Whatever life has to offer, we will accept that and lead our life. If we do that, what will we getVyavasyātmikabuddhi –We will have clarity on Sadyamand Sādana. And we will follow the sādanas, reach the sadyamand attain mokshaEven if we are not able to be fully on every sādana, we should follow at least a little bit of eachSloka 46 - Karma Yoga will lead to MokshaWhat is the essence of this sloka?How does Bhagavan articulate that?Will the karma kanda of the vedas be of any use to a person who has attained jnana?What would have a karma yogi be sacrificing until he attains jnana?How will that sacrifice be seen by others?Why do many people look at Sannyasis with pity?What does a person attain when he sacrifices small pleasures?

Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 42-44 (Contd...) - Karmi gets enamored by MaterialistsWhat are the 3 words that Bhagavan uses to describe the words they speak?1. yām imāṃ puṣpitāṃ vācam - such flowery wordsWhat does "yām imāṃ puṣpitāṃ vācam" mean?What is the analogy of the words they speak with a tree?How do they seduce us?2. jenma karma phala pradām - which lead to further birthsWhat does "jenma karma phala pradām" mean?What sloka from Bhaja Govindam talk about "Punarapi jananaṃ punarapi maraṇaṃ"?3. kriya viśeṣa bahulām - full of specific ritesWhat does "kriya viśeṣa bahulām" mean?What do they talk about?What are the examples of projects that these people talk about?What will be the casualty because of all these talks?Where will it all lead to?What is the underlying reason for which these words are spoken?What does "bhoga iśvarya gatim prati" mean?What do these people have their goals as?Why is "bhōgaisvarya" the same as arta-kāma puruṣārtha?Is money and pleasure a means for them or their goal?Will the Vivekis be enamored by their words?What happens to the Avivekis?What are these Avivekis attached to?What happens to their minds when they listen to these words?What does "Apahṛta cetasāṃ" mean?What happens when the mind gets carried away?What happens to the sense of conscience, sense of discrimination, sense of propriety, sense of honesty, sense of justice?What is the formula for happiness in terms of desires?What happens to the desires in their mind?Will they seek only legitimate method of fulfilling them?Will clear understanding take place in their mind?Do such people have clarity in terms of their goals?What is the meaning of "Samādhi" in this sloka?Do they have clarity on lakshya and sādana?Sloka 45 - Method to get clarity on the goal and the pathIs desire alone enough to have "vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ"?How many sādanas is Bhagavan giving here to attain vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ?What is required for anyone to follow a sādana?What is the information that Bhagavan is giving about Vedas?What does the word "traiguṇya viṣayāḥ" mean?Which part of Vedas are referred here when Bhagavan says "vedāḥ" here?How does "traiguṇyam" mean samsara?What are the 3 gunas?Which chapter is dedicated to these 3 gunas?What is Sattva guna about?What is Rajo guna about?What is Tamo guna about?Is our mind a mixture of 3?Will it have a predominant guna at any point in time?Which is the lowly guna? Which is the highest among the 3?Can someone move from Tamo guna to Sattva guna directly?Does all 3 gunas bind us?Which guna leads us to laziness, sleep, delusion?Which guna leads us to desire, action, jealousy?Which guna leads us to peace, knowledge, calmness?When the vedas deal with these 3 gunas what happens to our desires?1. Nistraiguṇyō bhavaWhat is the first of the 5 sadanas that Bhagavan advises?What is "nistraiguṇyō bhava" mean?What is "niṣkāmo bhava" mean?What is Vairagya?How can we get Vairagya?What reasons should we bring to our mind to be able to get that virtue?Is the world permanent or impermanent?Even if the world is impermanent, is it not giving me enjoyment?Is the enjoyment fulfilling or leaves me more craving?Even if it does not satisfy me completely, is it without any sorrow?Is the world happiness only mixed with sorrow?Can one get Vairagya easily?Can one have vairagya on everything?What should our attitude towards pleasure and comfort be?Should we have a lot of demands in our life?Do we look for comfort even during pilgrimage?What should be our attitude towards discomfort?Should we be enslaved to comforts?2. Nirdvandvaḥ (bhava)What does dvandva mean?What is the meaning of māna-apamānah, lābhanaṣṭa, jayā-apajaya?What does "nirdvandvaḥ" mean?What is the definition of this world?What does "dwandatmaka jagat" mean?How do we need to treat desireless situations?What does be equi-poised mean?What is irritation? How is it related to Samsara?

Chapter 02 - Sankhya YogaSloka 41 - Karma yogi is single mindedHow is Karma yogi's mind and attitude?What does the word "vyavasāyātmikā" mean?What is the Karma yogi determined on?What is a Karma Yogi's singular goal?Do people know the real purpose of life?What do most people take it to be their goals?How does life's goals for most people change with their age?What is the path / sādana that a Karma yogi knows for attaining the ultimate goal?What goals do non-Karma yogis have?Why are these goals changing?Why are these goals so many?Why does a Karma yogi have only 1 goal according to Adi Sankara?From where has Karma Yogi identified the goal to be moksha?What should be the pramana / source of knowledge that one must use to identify life's goal?Why do people who come to spirituality get confused about the goal and sadana?Where does a confused person end up at the end of a spiritual quest?What are the common questions that people have with regard to religion & culture?Sloka 42-44 - Karmi gets enamored by MaterialistsWhy does a person not have a straight singular focused goal?What do the different sense organs mean for?What is the meaning of "Stotrasya bhooshanam Sastram"?Why do people get misled?Who misleads them?Who is to be blamed?Why do people get deluded?What does bhogaiśvaryam mean?What does Bhagavan call the misleaders?What are the 5 adjectives that Bhagavan uses for these misleaders?1. avipaścitaḥ-Unintelligent people who believe in materialistic successWhat does "avipaścitaḥ" mean?Why does Bhagavan call them unintelligent ones?What is success according to them?What are these people's goals? What should be our takeaway when we listen to this portion?2. vēdavādaratāḥ-Enamored by Karma Kanda; focusing on arthakāmaWhat does "Vēdavādaratāḥ" mean?Which portion of Vedas are they enamored by?Why do they chant mantras, do pooja, perform rituals, go for pilgrimage?What does Avahanti Homa ask for?Does vedas talk about material accomplishments alone?Which portion of the vedas will give us emotional & spiritual growth?What does rājasa karma ratāḥ, sakāma karma ratāḥ mean?3. nānyadastītivādinaḥ-Who argues there is nothing else than enjoymentWhat does "na asti anyat, vādinaḥ iti" mean?What do these people argue about?What is there apart from materialism?How interested are these people when we talk about morality, ethics, Ishvara, religion, service etc?What is their motto in life/?How does Upanishad call them?What does "pramūḍhaḥ" mean?4. kāmātmānaḥ-who are full of desiresWhat does "kāmātmānaḥ" mean?What is these people embodiments of?What do these people think constantly?5. svargaparāḥ-who believe in heaven as the ultimate goalWhat does "svargaparāḥ" mean?Why do they want to go to heaven?Is there a permanent heaven?Is there a permanent hell?How does Bhagavan describe the words they speak?What does "Pravadanti" mean?What do they say?What kind of philosophy do these people spread?What happens when we try to convert them?Which wins more often in the minds of people - materialism or Spiritualism?Which is more attractive - Brahman or Maya?What are the 3 words that Bhagavan uses to describe the words they speak?1. yām imāṃ puṣpitāṃ vācam - such flowery wordsWhat does "yām imāṃ puṣpitāṃ vācam" mean?What is the analogy of the words they speak with a tree?How are the words they speak - are they attractive / tempting / seducing?How do they seduce us?2. jenma karma phala pradām - which lead to further birthsWhat does "jenma karma phala pradām" mean?What sloka from Bhaja Govindam talk about "Punarapi jananaṃ punarapi maraṇaṃ"?