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PRACTICE OF KARMA YOGA
Nishtha and Jnana Nishtha:
Lokesmın dvivdha nishtha pura prokta mayaanagha Jnanayogena sankhyaanaam karmayogena
yoginaam "In this world there is a two-fold path, as I have before said, O sinless one that of Yoga by knowledge of the Sankhyas, and that of Yoga by action of the Yogis.”
Here Sankhya Yoga signifies Vedanta and not the philosophy of Kapila Muni.
Bhagawan Vyasa, after much discussion told his son his firm conviction "These then are the two roads on which the Vedas are based Both the courses -one which leads to Karma and the other which draws away from Karma—have been explained, etc."
Nishtha means perfect devotion and sticking to one's ideal There is no wavering or oscillation of the mind here The Yogi of Karma Nishtha has the firm, unshakable conviction that his Nishlha will lead him to the goal and attainment of supreme bliss He plunges himself in Karma He is absorbed in Karma Raja Janaka had his Nishtha in Karma Yoga Sri Mahatma Gandhiji was a Yogi of Karma Nishtha He never deviated from his ideal He was established in his Nishtha Nishtha is a sine qua non for success Then only one can apply his full heart, mind and intellect to the work on hand Failure is due to lack of Nishtha. Nishtha develops will-power. Nishtha
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