In this class (Class 20 on Sunday, May 26 at 9:30 am PST), we will discuss Chapter 10 of Sri Aurobindo’s Essays on the Gita, entitled “The Yoga of the Intelligent Will”) (pp. 94–104), as well as verses 2.45–2.49 of the Bhagavad Gita.
Study Questions:
1. According to Sri Aurobindo, what is the “Yoga of the intelligent will” (p. 95) taught in the Gita?
2. Compare Sri Aurobindo’s and Swami Tapasyananda’s interpretations of verse 2.46 of the Gītā (“yāvān artha…”). Which, if either, do you find more plausible and why? (Sri Aurobindo’s interpretation of 2.46 can be found on pp. 87–88 of Essays on the Gita, in Chapter 9.)
3. In the famous verse 2.47 of the Gītā (“karmaṇyeva…”), Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to do his duty but not to let the “fruits” of his actions be his “motive.” A common objection to this verse is that if we’re not motivated by the fruits of our actions, we would either not engage in actions at all or we would only act halfheartedly or strive for mediocrity at best in our work. How would you respond to this objection? Do you think this objection has any validity? If so, why? If not, why not?
4. Compare Śaṅkara’s and Sri Aurobindo’s interpretations of verse 2.47 of the Gītā (“karmaṇyeva…”). Which, if either, do you find more plausible and why?
5. Do you have any questions about the reading? Did you have difficulty understanding anything? Do you have any doubts or confusions?