Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyasa Yogam Verse 45:
(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)
Getting One’s Obligations Done Can Lead To Nirvana
स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरत: संसिद्धिं लभते नर: |
स्वकर्मनिरत: सिद्धिं यथा विन्दति तच्छृणु || 18.45||
sve sve karmaṇy abhirataḥ sansiddhiṁ labhate naraḥ
sva-karma-nirataḥ siddhiṁ yathā vindati tach chhṛiṇu|| 18.45||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 18- Ver. 45:
Humans can become flawless by carrying out their responsibilities, which are born of their natural qualities. Now, listen to Me as I explain how performing one’s assigned chores can help one become flawless.
Explanation
The mandated obligations based on our gunas and position in life are known as swa-dharma. By carrying them out, we make sure that we make the most of the potential powers of our body and mind. This is fortunate for both the individual and society as it results in purification and growth.
We feel secure and at ease performing the specified duties since they are in line with our intrinsic abilities. The swa-dharma then adjusts as our proficiency grows, and we move on to the next higher class. We continue to advance in this way by faithfully carrying out our duties.
Verse & what we can learn
The Vedas acknowledged the varna system as a way for each person to reach their full potential. They made it possible for everyone to make a contribution to society based on their personality and skills.
Every act carried out in line with one’s duty produced a fruit or punya of merit, and every act carried out against one’s duty produced a paapa of demerit. Every person’s fate was determined by the sum of their punyas and paapas. Based on one’s activities, one would acquire a life that was either better or worse than the one they now had.
But the cycle of action, reaction, and rebirth is only one aspect of carrying out one’s job. According to Shri Krishna, fulfilling one’s obligations can open the door to nirvana. As we have already seen, the Gita gives everyone the opportunity to follow the path of liberation, regardless of their profession or stage of life. We are not required to give up our conduct and become sadhus or monks. Just keep performing your duties, please. The main achievement of performing our duties is samsiddhi, perfection.
Purification of the mind is the ultimate aim of karma yoga. It purges the mind of all impurities, including raaga and dvesha-created selfish cravings, loves, and dislikes. For someone practicing karma yoga, this mental cleansing becomes their first accomplishment, or samsiddhi. But merely doing out your duties won’t lead to samsiddhi. The next shloka from Shri Krishna will disclose what is still required.
To acquire knowledge and to implement that knowledge in life one needs to be mentally and physically active and healthy and for that daily meditation is a great tool.
There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There is 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 shloka Shri Krishna explains about performance of one’s natural occupation.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…