Karma Yoga is one of the paths of yoga in Hinduism, which emphasizes selfless service to others as a means of spiritual liberation. It is the path of action, and the idea is to perform actions without attachment to the results, and instead to offer the fruits of one’s actions to God or a higher power. The goal of Karma Yoga is to purify the mind and attain inner peace, leading to ultimate self-realization or union with the divine.
Karma Yoga is often referred to as the “yoga of action” or the “path of selfless service.” The basic principle of Karma Yoga is to perform actions without attachment to the results, and to offer the fruits of one’s actions to a higher power or God. This helps to purify the mind and overcome egoism and attachment, leading to inner peace and self-realization.
In Karma Yoga, the focus is on the act of doing, rather than on the fruits of one’s actions. One should perform their duties and responsibilities to the best of their ability, without becoming attached to the outcome or the rewards. This is said to lead to a state of equanimity, where one is not affected by success or failure, and is able to maintain a clear and peaceful mind.
Karma Yoga also emphasizes the importance of selfless service, or seva, to others. This can include acts of charity, volunteering, or helping others in need. By serving others selflessly, one is said to purify the mind and heart, and to develop humility and compassion.
Karma Yoga is often seen as a complement to other paths of yoga, such as Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion) and Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge). Together, these paths aim to help the individual achieve a state of spiritual liberation, or moksha.
It is said that the practice of Karma Yoga is especially beneficial for people who are very active and have a lot of responsibilities, as it helps to maintain balance and inner peace while fulfilling one’s duties and obligations. It is also considered as one of the ways to reach the ultimate goal of yoga which is self-realization or union with the divine.