Significance of Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga is a spiritual practice emphasized across various traditions, including Jainism, Buddhism, Vaishnavism, and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. It focuses on selfless action and duty, where individuals engage in their responsibilities without attachment to the results. This path promotes spiritual growth, liberation, and mental peace by integrating action with devotion. Karma Yoga teaches that performing one’s duties skillfully and dispassionately leads to enlightenment while contributing positively to society and facilitating personal development.

Synonyms: Selfless action, Duty, Work without attachment, Yoga of action, Service, Righteous work, Altruistic work, Righteous action, Spiritual practice, Path of action, Bhakti yoga

In Dutch: Karma Yoga; In German: Karma Yoga; In Finnish: Karma Yoga; In Spanish: Karma Yoga; In Swedish: Karma Yoga; In Malay: Karma Yoga; In French: Karma Yoga; In Finnish: Karma jooga; In Spanish: Yoga Karma; In Malay: Yoga Karma

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Karma Yoga'

Buddhism Books

Karma Yoga in Buddhism emphasizes selfless action and meditation as pathways to spiritual growth. It integrates service to others and equanimity in activities, highlighting the importance of karma in one's spiritual journey.

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: The Six Yogas of Naropa

(1) A form of Yoga focused on selfless actions and equanimity in all activities, contributing to spiritual growth and development.[1] (2) A form of yoga that emphasizes action and service to others, implying an engagement with karma in one's spiritual practice.[2] (3) An outer practice focused on selfless action and service as a path to spiritual growth.[3] (4) A yoga that combines action and meditation to bring about spiritual growth and realization.[4]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Hindu concept of 'Karma Yoga'

Hinduism Books

Karma Yoga in Hinduism is a discipline that integrates selfless action with devotion, emphasizing performing duties without attachment to outcomes. It promotes spiritual development and realization of unity with Brahman, ultimately leading to liberation.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)

(1) The philosophy of action as presented in the Gita, which emphasizes performing one's duty without attachment to outcomes.[5] (2) The law of duty and action advocated in the Gita, which emphasizes performing one's responsibilities without attachment to outcomes.[6] (3) A spiritual practice that centers on action and its righteousness through selfless work, guided by the principles of virtue and moral duty as informed by mental impulses and conscience.[7] (4) The practice of selfless action performed for the benefit of others, emphasizing Duty without attachment to the results.[8] (5) The path of selfless action linked to the principles of Duty and Knowledge, aimed at finding liberation through performing one's duties without attachment to results.[9]

From: Devi Bhagavata Purana

(1) A path of selfless action and duty that leads to liberation, emphasizing performing one's duties without attachment to results.[10]

From: Bhagavadgita

(1) A path of selfless action in which one engages in work without attachment to the outcomes, facilitating spiritual growth.[11]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation

(1) The yoga explained by Lord Krishna to Vivaswat, later to Manu and Ikshvaku, which was lost over time and re-taught to Arjuna.[12] (2) A spiritual practice that the Alvar considers, involving selfless action and duty as a means of reaching the divine.[13]

From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)

(1) A discipline involving the dedication of results from one's actions to God, considered not pure bhakti but a prerequisite to achieving bhakti.[14] (2) The practice of performing actions with the right consciousness and without desire for results, as described in the Bhagavad-gita.[15]

From: Bhajana-Rahasya

(1) A path that involves action and duty, which is questioned in relation to bhakti-yoga due to its inefficiency in attaining the highest results.[16]

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) The path of selfless action performed in accordance with one's duties, aimed at spiritual advancement rather than material gain.[17]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Significance in Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa):
Pancaratra Books

From: Parama Samhita (English translation)

(1) The path of selfless service and action that does not bind the actor to the results of their deeds, seen as permissible even for a Shudra.[18] (2) A practice that involves fixing the mind firmly on specific acts or rites, destroying all sin.[19] (3) The Yoga of action, which entails performing one's duties and responsibilities with mindfulness and without attachment to the results.[20]

Pancaratra represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

Significance in Yoga (school of philosophy):
Yoga Books

From: Yoga-sutras (Vedanta Commentaries)

(1) The dedication of the fruits of one's work to God, thereby aligning every action with spiritual devotion and non-attachment.[21] (2) The path of selfless, God-dedicated action, aiming for wisdom and non-attachment by dedicating the fruits of one's work to God and working towards right ends.[22]

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as asanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) A concept that describes the relationship or connection ('yoga') of actions ('karma').[23]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Jain concept of 'Karma Yoga'

Jainism Books

Karma Yoga in Jainism emphasizes daily religious practices for generating auspicious karma and temporary pleasures, while also addressing the soul's activities post-death, influenced by the interactions of speech, mind, and physicality.

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)

(1) The activity caused by the karmic-body during the transit following death, involving the vibration of the soul's space-points impacted by the molecules of speech, mind, and body.[24]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

The concept of Karma Yoga in local and regional sources

History Books

Karma Yoga emphasizes selfless action and duty, as taught in the Bhagavad Gita. It encourages individuals to perform their responsibilities without attachment to outcomes, fostering spiritual growth while embodying core principles advocated by influential figures like Gandhi and Gokhale.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) A form of yoga that focuses on selfless action and duty without attachment to the outcomes.[25] (2) A concept involving the fulfillment of one’s duty to the nation, reflecting the ethos of commitment seen during the Independence Movement.[26] (3) A form of yoga that emphasizes action and work as a pathway to spiritual liberation.[27] (4) A spiritual path in the Gita emphasizing selfless action as a means to attain spiritual enlightenment.[28] (5) One of the paths in yoga that emphasizes action and duty in the realization of self.[29]

From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

(1) The sender mentions a second edition of this publication, indicating it is a book they have a copy of, which suggests it is related to their work or interests.[30] (2) Karma-Yoga is the attainment of God through work, addressing the needs of those who are inclined towards activity and teaching how to work without attachment to results or fear of pain.[31] (3) The practice of performing actions without attachment to the results, emphasizing the importance of living in the world while remaining detached from its influences.[32] (4) This is a practice that deals with the three forces and helps individuals to understand and employ them to improve their work, and it is based on the idea of duty and action.[33] (5) This is the title of a book that has already been released, suggesting it is one of the initial publications resulting from the efforts described in the letter.[34]