(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)
Doing the Duty and Leaving the Results to Lord is the Way to Peace & Balance in Life
दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनञ्जय |
बुद्धौ शरणमन्विच्छ कृपणा: फलहेतव: || 2.49||
dūreṇa hy-avaraṁ karma buddhi-yogād dhanañjaya
buddhau śharaṇam anvichchha kṛipaṇāḥ phala-hetavaḥ|| 2.49||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 2- Ver. 49:
Seek refuge in divine knowledge and insight, O Arjun, and abandon reward-seeking activities that are unquestionably inferior to deeds conducted with the mind rooted in Divine truth. Those who strive to enjoy the rewards of their labours are miserly.
Explanation
Work has two aspects: 1) the exterior activity that we engage in, and 2) our interior attitude about it. Shree Krishna instructs Arjuna to increase his own motivation for work in this scene. He declares that those who work for the sake of self-gratification are miserly. Those who are unattached to the fruits of their labour and dedicate it to a higher cause are superior. And those who offer God their fruits are genuinely wise.
Acting in a selfless manner does not imply that we are weak-minded. If someone is preventing us from carrying out our svadharma, we must deal with them in a forceful and respectful manner. We shall respond to the situation utilising our intellect rather than our emotions if we actually cultivate equanimity of mind while executing acts. As a result, we will not do anything hasty or detrimental to the current circumstances.
As a result, the teachings of Karmayoga encourage us to gradually shift our mindset toward selfless action and preserve mental equanimity while completing activities. As a person progresses to greater levels of consciousness, the desire to enjoy the results of one’s labour fades, and one’s focus shifts to service. When we learn to do our work for the joy of God, dedicating all of the rewards to him, our service attitude becomes faultless.
“Action is lesser than buddhi yoga,” Krishna states. He is implying that mechanical routines are inferior to activity undertaken with the intent of achieving a higher goal. ‘Action’ can also refer to self-serving, self-centered behaviour that lacks a greater vision or objective. He’s emphasising the importance of the mind in action. In Karma Yoga, the intellect sets the goal, the mind surrenders to the purpose, and the body works tirelessly to achieve it. The purpose in this scenario is to achieve Realisation.
Once the aim has been established, the mind must be free of worry about the outcome of the action. Because the spiritual seeker is exclusively interested in Realisation, he or she has no interest in the action’s worldly outcomes. As a result, the deed is selfless.
Those who are motivated by the fruit are unhappy. Selfish intentions and desires motivate actions that are not in harmony with buddhi yoga. They cause anxiety and worry in the mind. A mind full of desires motivates the body to act in order to satisfy those needs, and it yearns to reap the fruits of activity. Worry and anxiety develop as a result of this.
This quest is never-ending. Because the mind is unquenchable, it is compared to fire. You fulfil one want, and ten more appear. The mind is still dissatisfied. Extroverted interests can never be enough to satisfy the mind. Only knowledge has the power to change things. Find out what your true identity is. In total fulfilment, all wants will vanish.
A person who has mastered the skill of serving others is happy, prosperous, and spiritually mature. As a result, seek refuge in Self-awareness. Anything less is unworthy of a person.
Verse & what we can learn
Doing every action in the divine consciousness, offering the results to him helps us progress and achieve success materially and spiritually also.
To achieve this divine consciousness and to stay balanced at all times practicing daily meditation is the best way.
There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There are also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.
In the next verse, Lord Shri Krishna talks to Arjuna about Yoga.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…