Karma yoga

Sri Ramana Maharshi ~~~ Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi, Talk 643:

M.: The Gita starts saying that you are not the body,
that you are not therefore the karta.(...he who does an act....)

Q.: What is the significance?

M.: That one should act without thinking that oneself is the actor.
The actions go on despite his egolessness.

The person has come into manifestation for a certain purpose.
That purpose will be accomplished whether he considers
himself the actor or not.

Q.: What is Karma yoga?
Is it non-attachment to Karma or its fruit?

M.: Karma yoga is that yoga in which the person
does not arrogate to himself the function of being the actor.
The actions go on automatically.

Q.: Is it the non-attachment to the fruits of actions?

M.: The question arises only if there is the actor.
It is being all along said that you should not consider yourself the actor.

Q.: So Karma yoga is kartrtva buddhi rahita karma -
action without the sense of doership.

M.: Yes. Quite so.

Q.: The Gita teaches active life from beginning to end.

M.: Yes, the actor-less action.

Q.: Is it then necessary to leave the home and lead a life of renunciation?

M.: Is the home in you? Or are you in the home?

Q.: It is in my mind.

M.: Then what becomes of you when you leave
the physical environment?

Q.: Now I see.
Renunciation is only action without the sense of being the karta.
Is there not action for a jivanmukta?

M.: Who raises the question? Is he a jivanmukta or another?

Q.: Not a jivanmukta.

M.: Let the question be raised after jivanmukti is gained,
if it is found necessary.
Mukti is admitted to be freedom from the mental activities also.
Can a mukta think of action?

Q.: Even if he gives up the action, the action will not leave him.
Is it not so?

M.: With what is he identified in order that this question might apply?

Q.: Yes, I see all right.
My doubts are now cleared.