Raja Yoga   Hatha Yoga   Jnana Yoga   Bhakthi Yoga  Karma Yoga Mantra Yoga KARMA YOGA ‘Karma’ means action. The yoga of selfless action is called karma yoga. The word karma is derived from root ‘kr’ meaning to do. All actions are karma. Thus it is the yoga of actions, and equipped with this one can overcome the bondage of karma. Karma yoga means non attachment and action performed with full attention in here and now in a spirit of care and compassion guided by wisdom. Each action when performed with right attention becomes contemplative and such duties become source of happiness. Therefore karma yoga means service and work without clinging to the fruits of actions. The main aim of karma yoga is to achieve self realisation and thus get liberated. Bhagavad-Gita explains the essence of karma as follows. Yogah karmasu kauśalam ׀ Dexterity in action is yoga. One can overcome good or bad life if he works with intellect. One should strive for the practice of yoga with full interest and concentration. This skill in action is yoga. Karmanyevādhikāraste mā phalesukadācana ׀ Mā karmaphalaheturbhurmā te sangostvakarmani ׀׀ One has the right only for his action or duty; he does not have any right to the fruits of his actions. One should never be the instrument of any actions and he should not have any attachments with evil works. The idea behind this karma is to work according to ones own intellect and if one works in this manner he need not fear of pratyavāya and there is no loss of effort and this helps to overcome the terrible fear of death. Buddhi is determinate and is directed towards a single goal but if buddhi is not determinate then it will move in all directions over number of thoughts and thus cannot be controlled. Karma yoga can be achieved by Nistraigunya; non attachments to worldly pleasures Nirdvandva; keeping the mind free from dualities Nityasatvastha; being clean and pure Niryogaksema; being unconcerned about desires Ātmavan; being self controlled Lord Krishna in Bhagavad-Gita tells the importance of yoga as follows. Yogasthah kuru karmani sangamtyaktvā dhananjaya ׀ Siddyasidyoh samo bhūtvā samatvam yoga uchyate ׀׀ One should perform duties mentioned in yoga leaving the attachments, being steady in success and failures. The balanced state of mind itself is called yoga. Thus by following karma yoga one can overcome all the bondage and thus achieve the highest state of liberation and get self realised.