What exactly is a leela?

11:05 AM

@sv. the 1st comment to the @Tezz's answer is:
"Do you call writing this answer, your leela :) Was it Nishkama Karma?"

BTW, "Nishkama Karma" is actually not necessarily "leela". In a way, it can be a subset of "Leela".
"NishkAma Karma" is SAtvika way of Karma yoga. Similarly "SakAma karma" is RAjasika way of "Karma yoga" and "Vikarma" is TAmasika way of "Karma yoga".

+ @TheDestroyer

I think, it will be worth to have a question on this.

I believe that "Karma yoga" is popularly associated only with "NishkAma karma", which is "SAtvika way". But that doesn't mean that "RAjasika" & "TAmasika" don't have their shot to "Karma yoga".

Whatever, I am talking is only from Gita perspective.
Sometimes, I feel that Gita has more leaning towards SAtvika way. Either it can be an interpolation or it's because, Arjuna was predominantly SAtvika.

Tezz

11:29 AM

@iammilind yes Niskama Karma isn't leela... because that person has motivation that he is doing Niskama Karma...

iammilind

@Tezz, agree. Your answer on Leela is good & so is your understanding.

I think there is a difference between "NishkAma Karma" and "NishkarmatA". Presently, I am putting a question on that from Gita perspective. IMO "NishkarmatA" is "Leela". But that can only be observed.

That seems to be bothering me for a while.

Tezz

@iammilind we can term breathing as example while we aren't aware... but if we are aware it would be motivation... similarly spontaneous playing of small children... we actually use the term Bala Leela for that...😀😀

iammilind

@Tezz, yes, I would certainly agree to your example. Some part of our life is spent in Leela as well.
Regarding "spontaneous playing with children" also I will agree. I have taken that exact example in my below answer:

0

A: Why did Krishna give away his own Narayani Sena to Duryodhana?

"Why did Krishna, albeit indirectly, assist Duryodhana in annihilation of his own Narayani army?" Some believe that Krishna wanted to reduce the burden on the earth, which included his own invincible army as well. War of Kurukeshetra (MahAbhArata) provided a great platform for that, even wit...

See the last lines:

A rough analogy:
When a lovely kid playfully asks for a toy, we sometimes don't give away directly. We may distance it and let the kid go there, then we take in other hand and again distance it in opposite and let the kid go there. The toy belongs to kid, for which it's making sweet cries. But we don't give it so 'easily'. Finally we give it away with a smile.

Tezz

@iammilind and necessary condition for leela is it is attribute of Brahaman.. and if a person wants to call his activity as Leela he should fully identify himself with Brahaman.. then only spontaneous activity comes...

iammilind

@Tezz. In that part, I have some change of thinking. What I believe is that "Leela" can only be observed, it cannot be done. In a way, I can't say that "I am doing Leela". But you may observe me and say "He is doing Leela".

In my understanding, "Leela" has a strong relation with "NiskharmatA" or "Akarma".

Tezz

11:37 AM

@iammilind Hmm.. you are right...

And nice answer also...

iammilind

@Tezz, However, I feel that, sometimes we are having a same understanding with differed way of thinking. Like how all religions or even "no religion" brings to the same Brahman, similarly due to difference in our understanding, it would be visible in our words. But that differed understanding is ultimately pointing to the same understanding.

Tezz

Yes it can only be observed and not done.. if someone says I did leela.. then it means he has motivation/purpose to do leela.. so it can't be leela...

iammilind

Exactly. This is the reason, why people genuinely come with song like "character dheela". :-)

Their question is really worth thinking. Let it be a fun song.

I hope you are aware about that Hindi song from Salman's movie. :-)

Tezz

@iammilind No, I'm from Nepal...

iammilind

Do you understand Hindi?

Tezz

11:40 AM

so not so familiar with Hindi songs...

Yes I do..

From which movie is that song?..

iammilind

Character Dheela (Full Song) Ready I Salman Khan I Zarine Khan

►

Tezz

I can't see this video this time... I'm using from mobile data..

I have some work now... see you latter @iammilind

iammilind

@Tezz, sure. See you later.

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Q: What is the reason of Gita's leaning towards SAtvika way?

Usually people who have read Gita, would say that NishKAma Karma is the way of "Karma yoga". Numerous verses suggest that, NishkAma Karma is SAtvika way of life. SakAma karma is RAjasika way & Vikarma is TAmasika way. Even attempting to perform Akarma is also sometimes considered TAmasika way. N...

sv.

7:28 PM

@Tezz After realizing Brahman, I'm guessing you will be always happy. Sat-chit-ananda? True? Is there any connection between Brahman and IQ? Can an idiot also realize Brahman? Have you seen the movie Matrix? The hero's brain is loaded with information and suddenly he can now pilot a helicopter .. I'm thinking after realized Brahman .. you won't get any powers you want? :P

sv.

10:10 PM

@Tezz Made some minor edits to your answer, hope you don't mind.

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A: What exactly is a leela (लीला)? Is there a scriptural definition of leela (लीला)?

First of all, a question arises: How or why is the name or concept of Leela relevant in Hinduism? It's because Brahman is defined as fully omniscient and omnipotent by many Vedic verses. Brahman is defined as being beyond mind and hence to be understood by Neti Neti or Not-this Not-this. So for...

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What exactly is a leela?