Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam, Dakshinamanaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri

Understanding Karma & Its Purpose

Chennai City August 22, 2012

Following is the eleventh in the series of fifteen benedictory discourses delivered by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji during Chaturmasya at Chennai in 2012, on Vedanta, choosing topics from the Brahma Sutra Bhashya of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya.

Topics

Moksha (cycle of births and deaths) can be attained only from Jnana
This cycle is set in motion by engaging in Karmas driven by desiring or engaging in prohibited actions
However one will not one get Moksha merely by abstaining from Kaamya Karma and Nishiddha Karma because no one can claim that they have never engaged in actions driven by desire (Kaamya) or abstained totally from prohibited (Nishiddha) actions
How is the Karma of a Jnani burned?
Karma is to be performed for Chitta Shuddhi (purification of the mind)

For the protection of the righteous ones (committed to dharma), for the destruction of the unrighteous ones (follow adharma), and for the establishment of dharma I take birth in every age. Bhagavan Sri Krishna on Significance of God
O devotee, (with the mind) fixed upon the lotus feet of the Guru! May you soon be free from Samsara. Through the control of the senses and the mind, you shall behold the Lord indwelling in your heart! Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada on Mohamudgara
Have firm faith in God, his words and his servants. Have staunch belief in your religion and in dharma. Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal on Significance of God
An ideal disciple will indeed act as per the Guru’s instructions and not give place to thoughts as “Is it possible for me to do as he says? Shall I try something else?” If we follow our Guru’s instructions, it does not mean that we are unintelligent. It only implies that we have surrendered for our own good to a power superior to us. Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal on Significance of God
If we poke our nose into matters that do not concern us, it is we who lose our precious time. Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal on Significance of God's Names