
07/30/2025
On Trimarga & The Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita is a single chapter of the world's largest poem, the Mahabharata which likely began as an oral tradition over two millennia ago. The Mahabharata recounts the story of an ancient war between two sets of cousins from a single family.
The Prince Arjuna is troubled by this conflict: how is he supposed to be a benevolent leader when his station in life (his Dharma) demands that he sheds his own family's blood? Anyone in his situation would be troubled; thankfully for Prince Arjuna his charioteer is no mere mortal -- his charioteer is Krishna, an avatar of the Hindu deity of Preservation, Order, and Protection: Vishnu.
Krishna consoles the troubled prince, offering compassion while still maintaining that it is the prince's dharma to do this. In the Bhagavad Gita, Kirshna also speaks of the three paths or Trimarga of liberation. These are three different kinds of yoga, but it has nearly nothing to do with the up-dog/down-dog yoga many of us think of.
Yoga means "yoke" or "union," and so yogas are paths or directions that one can take to re-yoke or re-union with one's divine nature. The Trimarga include: Karma Yoga; Jnana Yoga; and Bhakti Yoga.
Karma Yoga is the "Path of Selfless Action." It is a practice of giving oneself to others without an anticipation of a reward. Similarly, it is doing the right thing without fear of punishment. When divorced from the outcomes, the Karma Yogi is empowered to act with authenticity and decisiveness. When we act a certain way in order to get something, our decisions are clouded by ignorance.
Jnana Yoga is the "Path of Self Knowledge." It is the disciplined path of the spiritual seeker who combs through religious scripture, dedicates themselves to spiritual practices, and is committed to understanding reality and themselves. The Jnana Yogi gradually peels away layers of ignorance to reveal the center of their being.
Bhakti Yoga is the "Path of Devotion." It is the most popular expression of yoga in India and involves devotion to a particular form of the divine. Through the selfless love the Bhakti Yogi has towards their Ishta Deva (chosen deity), the gap between human and divine can be lessened which may culminate into the experience of Darshan where the eyes of the icon gaze with divine life at the adherent.
Many Westerners are accustomed to a single, exclusive route towards salvation which allows followers to become justified in some of the most inhumane acts of violence and force masquerading as compassion. Although Indian religious expression is not totally free from this kind of limited perspective, having three equally valid avenues to salvation has historically generated more tolerance towards diverse spiritualities.
Curious as to how to apply these ancient Eastern lessons in a contemporary Western society? Reach out to the Fool to learn more.
"Truth is one, paths are many" - Sri Swami Satchidananda