Fwd: Never Abandon Your Duty; Doing Duties, Experience Bliss

August 9, 2008

Hare Krsna

One who is, however, taking pleasure in the self, who is illuminated in the self, who rejoices in and is satisfied with the self only, fully satiated--for him there is no duty.

A self-realized man has no purpose to fulfill in the discharge of his prescribed duties, nor has he any reason not to perform such work. Nor has he any need to depend on any other living being.

GITA 3:17-18

With reference to enlightened souls that have attained perfection through the Discipline of Action, God declares in Gita 3:17-18 that there is no duty for an enlightened soul, as his delight, satisfaction and contentment is in his own self. Such a soul has nothing to do with the performance or non-performance of actions in this world, and he has no relation with anyone that is due to selfishness. Inspite of that, that great soul, continues to perform actions for the welfare of the world.Similarly God declares for Himself that there is nothing that is to be done by Him, yet He remains engaged in action for the welfare of the world. It means that an enlightened soul has oneness with God (Gita 14:2) and just as God plays the exemplary role in the three worlds, (Gita 3:23, Gita 4:11), similarly an enlightened soul is also the exemplary role model in this world (Gita 3:25). In Gita 3:22

God uses the term "Varta eva ca karmaani", "Eva" meaning that He performs duties (actions) enthusiastically, promptly, carefully, thoroughly, and without being lazy. "I neither abandon my duties, nor am I indifferent to them." Just as the compartments of a train, being connected to the engine, follow the engine, similarly, God, Saints, and Great Souls (those that have no desire to do or to attain something), perform their duty, by which other people follow them. In many men, there is desire to do and to acquire something or the other. By performing one's duties, without expecting any reward, these desires can go away. If God and the Saints did not perform their duty, then other people will also not do their duty, whereby they will become indolent and negligent and begin to engage in forbidden actions ! Then how will their desires go away. It is for this reason that duty is automatically and

naturally taking place through God and Saints for the welfare of humanity. At all times God remains engrossed and devoted to His duties. Therefore devoted aspirants must never abandon their duties. By performing their duties regularly and at all times, they will easily experience the bliss of God or God Realization.