HARMONY BY ACTION - SWAMI TATWANANDA

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ACT IN THE SPIRIT OF YAGNA

 

Recognition of Responsibilities as a Social Being-4

 

In the past there were a great many wise ones who served in the spirit of

yagna for the benefit of humanity. Although they were not renunciates, by

karma-yoga they gained a serene mind, the prerequisite for Atma Gnana.

 

Recognition of one's innate nature as "action-free" did not deter them from

being dutiful in their accepted fields of responsibility as willed by

prarabda. While attentive to one's true nature as the independent and ever

fulfilled Atma, they were never blind to the beauty and utility of karma in

the relative world. Appreciative of the dynamic movements of Nature, the

world was the field for their enthusiastic actions for the welfare and

improvement of the society.

 

As the realized ones of the past are a source of inspiration and guidance to

the present generation, so will the wise ones of the present era prove to be

the leading lights for the future generations. Therefore, it is essential to

be discriminative in the choice of interests, pursuits and the role models

amongst the peers and of the past as these prove complimentary to one's

evolvement as a mature and integrated person.

 

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

Action.1989)