Previous : Gnyana, Karma, Akarma : Bhagavad Gita
Sri Krishna said, ” A person who does not follow the cycle of work (yajnya), offering the results to God (naivedya) and accepting the results as a gift from God (prasaada), a person who lives for the delights of his own senses, lives in vain.”
Shells of the Andamans (Novel Island) : Photo Credit : Satya Sarada Kandula : All Rights Reserved
In a modern context, a person can recognize that besides his own effort, there exists the environment and the element of chance, in the success of any venture. In a corporate context, the organizational policies and framework also contribute to the success of an individual and not just his/her own efforts. One must act for actions are from Brahma and actions make up a yagnya and Brahma is present in yagnyas. Now, even though we work very hard at what we do, we have to realise that the results are not upto us alone.
Some people blame the environment and feel bad. This is not good for that persons’ mental health. Some people blame themselves for what is out of their control and they too feel bad. This is not good for them either. Some people give up trying altogether.
Krishna teaches us that we work because work is divine and we gratefully accept such results as we get because it is divinity which gives us the results. This makes us happy both ways, while working as well as while harvesting the rewards. Since all results are a prasaada given by the Devas.
Sri Krishna said, ” A person who is delighted in his Self (atma) has no duty. Neither ‘doing’ nor ‘not doing’ have any meaning for him. He is not self-serving and not selfish. “
Then why should such a person do anything at all? And if he does work, in what way should he do it? Where you may ask is the ‘profit motive’? The carrot and the stick? Won’t such a person become lazy and inspire laziness?
Krishna said, “To attain the ultimate state, you must do your work in a detached way”
Detachment is NOT apathy. It is NOT detachment from your duty. It is detachment from the results of your actions. It is a recognition that “you win some and you lose some”. In my writing and teaching and cleaning and cooking there is Brahma – karma brahma samudbhava. In my gnyana yagnya there is Brahma – yagnye brahma pratiSThitam. But I cannot insist that I be understood/appreciated/rewarded/../. I work hard. But I receive every positive comment, every payment, every delicious meal as a gift from divinity from the devas. Not as the rightful fruit if my own work alone. Then, I would be doing what Krishna is saying. I would be on my way to karma yoga.
Krishna said, “Raja Janaka (Sita‘s father) and others attained Siddhi through this way. Keeping the social order in mind, as an example, one must work. Because people copy/follow their betters, so you have to set an example.”
Even if you have attained the state of sat cit ananda, you must do the “right thing” for people will be looking at you to see what is allowed and what is right, as an example. It could be your children, or your subordinates at work or your fans.
Krishna said, “If I am not alert in doing karma, then the people of the world will follow my example and stop “doing”. The world will become chaotic.”
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