Question: I have some questions pertaining to the yoga ladder described in the Bhagavad-gita.
After already establishing the superiority of the path of karma over the path of jnana in verses 3.8, 3.18, 5.2 and 6.1 why does Lord Krishna again delineate the step-by-step ascension in the 18th chapter beginning from karma and rising to jnana (18.49 to 18.54)?
I have learnt in yoga-ladder classes that we should rise to the stage of bhakti directly from the stage of karma, bypassing the stages of jnana and dhyana. My question is that is there any verse which talks about this point. I think that the verses 18.56 and 18.57 relate to this point, I am not sure however.
Answer by Romapada Swami: As Srila Prabhupada mentions in the purport of BG 18.1, the BG is finished in Seventeen Chapters and Chapter 18 is the supplementary summarization of all the topics discussed in the seventeen chapters. This is the reason you find Krsna again delineating the step-by-step ascension in the 18th chapter.
In BG 6.47, Krsna Himself says that the yogi who constantly thinks of Him, abides in Him and renders devotional service unto Him is the highest of all.
Regarding the yoga ladder sequencing, you will find the following sequence in the purport of BG 6.47: “The culmination of all kinds of yoga practices lies in bhakti yoga. All other yogas are but means to come to the point of bhakti in bhakti-yoga. Yoga actually means bhakti-yoga; all other yogas are progressions toward the destination of bhakti-yoga. From the beginning of karma-yoga to the end of bhakti-yoga is a long way to self-realization. Karma-yoga, without fruitive results, is the beginning of this path. When karma-yoga increases in knowledge and renunciation, the stage is called jnana-yoga. When jnana-yoga increases in meditation on the Supersoul by different physical processes, and the mind is on Him, it is called astanga-yoga. And when one surpasses the astanga-yoga-yoga and comes to the point of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krsna, it is called bhakti yoga, the culmination. Factually, bhakti-yoga is the ultimate goal, but to analyze bhakti-yoga minutely one has to understand these other yogas. The yogi who is progressive is therefore on the true path of eternal good fortune. One who sticks to a particular point and does not make further progress is called by that particular name: karma-yogi, jnana-yogi or dhyana-yogi, raja-yogi, hatha-yogi, etc. If one is fortunate enough to come to the point of bhakti-yoga, it is to be understood that he has surpassed all other yogas.”
As you can see, this sequence is consistent with the series of verses in Chapter 18 that you mention in your question.
However, the superiority of karma-yoga to jnana, as referenced by several verses within your question, is also found in BG 12.10-12.
This apparent discrepancy of sequencing of the yoga ladder is excellently described in “Surrender Unto Me” by HG Bhurijan Prabhu in his comments on BG 12.12 as follows:
“If you cannot take to this practice” refers to the practice of niskama-karma-yoga described in text 10 (not to the practice of giving up all results of one’s work for a good cause, described in text 11). “Knowledge” here refers to brahma-jnana, knowledge of the soul as different from the body, and “meditation” suggests yogic meditation by which one will realize the Supersoul.
Thus these verses describe a sequence: (Text 8) perfected devotional service: always remembering Krsna; (Text 9) devotional service in practice: performing sadhana-bhakti and working for Krsna, as Krsna desires, i.e., performing typical temple service; (Text 10 and Text 12) niskama-karma-yoga: working with detachment and offering the fruits of the work to Krsna; which will award one peace, bhakti, as described in “the peace formula” (Bg. 5.29).
Two other stages, which are lower than niskama-karma-yoga, are also mentioned in text 12: yoga and cultivating knowledge, or brahma-jnana. Still lower than brahma-jnana, and without a direct transcendental result, is the method mentioned in text 11: detached work without offering the fruits to Krsna. (Krsna has already explained in Chapter Five that by working in a detached fashion one attains to brahma-jnana.)
Thus Krsna has delineated relative grades of spiritual processes and spiritual progress. Srila Prabhupada has also explained these stages in his purport:
In summary, to reach the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the highest goal, there are two processes: one process is by gradual development, and the other process is direct. Devotional service in Krsna consciousness is the direct method, and the other method involves renouncing the fruits of one’s activities [the stage of text 11]. Then one can come to the stage of knowledge, then to the stage of meditation, then to the stage of understanding the Supersoul, and then to the stage of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One may take either the step-by-step process or the direct path. The direct process is not possible for everyone; therefore the indirect process is also good. It is, however, to be understood that the indirect process is not recommended for Arjuna, because he is already at the stage of loving devotional service to the Supreme Lord. It is for others, who are not at this stage; for them the gradual process of renunciation, knowledge, meditation and realization of the Supersoul and Brahman should be followed. But as far as Bhagavad-gita is concerned, it is the direct method that is stressed. Everyone is advised to take to the direct method and surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna.
Summary: One who directly approaches the cultivation of knowledge or brahma-jnana via the speculative method without having first purified oneself from fruitive tendencies by detached work – such a person is following a process that is inferior to the natural byproduct of detachment and brahma-jnana which issues forth from properly executed niskama-karma-yoga.
Krsna also mentions in BG 18.66 that the ultimate goal is to surrender to the Supreme Lord.
