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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Result must not be the motive for action

 

CHENNAI, MAY 4. There is a common mistaken view that it is

necessary to renounce worldly life to realise the goal of

liberation. Renunciation is essentially an attitude of total

detachment and not just renouncing the world to lead a monk's

life. It is possible even while engaged in worldly activities to

develop detachment and progress spiritually. The Bhagavad Gita

describes how to develop this mental poise to live in the world

and yet remain detached from it so that one is able to exhaust

one's accumulated Karma without incurring more, which is

necessary to get over bondage.

 

A Sannyasi (monk) according to the Bhagavad Gita is one who gives

up the desire for result for the actions he engages in. When one

does not work for the sake of result, work itself becomes joy.

The mind because of the latent tendencies (Vasanas) acquired

during the course of several births has a natural inclination

towards that which gives it joy and this is deep-rooted. In

modern parlance this natural tendency is what we term

``aptitude''. When one works in the area in which one has

aptitude there is no hankering after the result as the work

itself gives joy. For spiritual growth it is advisable to engage

in pursuits for which one has aptitude so that one spontaneously

derives joy in the activity itself without becoming anxious about

the result. This helps to work out Karma and also prevent

accumulation of fresh Karma as according to the Gita when one

engages in action without expectation of result it becomes Karma

yoga and hence spiritually elevating.

 

In her discourse on the Gita, Swamini Niranjanananda said that

there were two levels in the human personality - the spiritual

and the material. Spiritual life does not mean running away from

material life; it is doing every act for its own sake with total

detachment. A Sannyasi's life, as he has renounced his attachment

to result, becomes a celebration. Whenever there is desire there

will not be happiness as one is anxious to fulfill the desire and

this colours one's attitude as there is attachment to the result.

 

The example of looking at a tree is sufficient to understand this

truth. One who is detached will enjoy looking at the tree as part

of nature and derive joy from it; whereas, a woodcutter cannot do

so for his mind will immediately size up the tree to evaluate its

worth if he cuts and sells it. This is the reason why Lord

Krishna exhorted Arjuna to take up arms when he developed cold

feet to fight his kith and kin pointing out that man is duty-

bound to work for its own sake and not with the expectation of

result.

 

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