HARMONY BY ACTION - SWAMI TATWANANDA

[Guest guest]

ACT IN THE SPIRIT OF YAGNA

 

Duty to the Known Relationships-2

 

The sayings of the wise ones help the seeker to have a perfect analysis of

his roles as a relative and cosmic being. They enlighten on what is expected

from an individual by Nature and what the individual can expect from the

world. A true understanding will bring about a change in one's attitudes

towards the known and unknown relationships and lessen his individualized

expectations. Thus, it promotes the emergence of a new personality called the

"karma yogi."

 

As a conscious living entity in the world, each one of us finds ourselves

related to many. Each relationship sets a demand and compels us to recognize

and respond. Duty, being what one has to do for the other, is clearly

understood when the individual can truthfully place himself in the

recipient's position.

When an Atma-sadhak (seeker of Truth/Self) is called upon to perform his

duties as a yagna, "What is the attitude (yagna-bhavana) expected from him?"

We noted earlier that yagna means "considering the needs of others, the

seeker acts to the best of his capacity to fulfill their needs, and, the

satisfaction for the sadhak is being instrumental for the fulfillment of

their needs.

 

To pursue actions in this spirit or attitude of love/compassion, one must be

able to recognize the oneness in the identity of Self in all. Awareness of

one's identity with the all-pervasive Self, which is full and complete, makes

him not dependent on someone or something for his satisfaction/joy. There is

no sense of loss/inadequacy in dedicating his time and energy in the service

of others because of his understanding and recognition of the presence of

Him, Esvara, in the doer, deed and objects. With reference to his duties to

the known relationships the seeker does what is to be done by him joyously

and spontaneously in a spirit of dedication and accepts that Esvara, the

Giver of fruits of actions gives the results.

 

This attitude of "offering and sharing" to the best of one's capability and

acceptance of the results as "prasada" (Esvara's grace) is called

"yagna-bhavana." This yagna-bhavana neutralizes the stranglehold of the

binding likes and dislikes, which is the cause for bondage.

 

(Excerpted from Swamiji's talks on Karma Yoga-published as harmony by

Action.1989)