Isavasyopanishad - 2nd manthram

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2nd Manthram:

 

 

kurvanneveha karmani

jijeevisheth sathagum samah |

evamthvayi nanya dhetoshthi

nakarma lipyathe nare ||

 

 

The first manthra of this Upanishad has explained how man should enjoy the

things of this world without any claim for ownership and with a sense of total

renunciation, this manthra tells us how man can make such an enjoyment

possible through the performance of the karma (i.e. deeds). Thus, the manthra

brings forth the relevance and significance of karma with its indispensable

nature.

 

For enjoying a thing, it has to be obtained. This is possible only through the

practice of the karma. As man performs karma its consequence comes back to him

and he is drawn again into samsara or this mundane life. So, it may be

misconstrued by some people that non- performance of the karmas is the

solution for the final liberation from samsara or the earthly life. Actually

this manthra dispels such misconceptions. The essence of this manthra can be

summarized as follows:

 

'kurvanneveha kamani' by performing karmas (deeds) and by doing so alone,

'jijivisheth sathagam samaha', should you (i.e., man) desire to live hundred

years. 'evamthvayi nanya dhetoshthi' there is no alternative (for you except

doing your deeds). The consequences of deeds will not touch a person if he

performs these deeds (or karmas) without any attachment. 'nakarma lipyathe

nare', a man who performs his karmas (duties) with detachment, will not be

affected by the consequences of his karmas.

 

For instance, when we touch an electrically charged wire, it will give us a

shock; but if we touch it wearing gloves, it will not give us any shock. In

the same manner a person who wears the 'gloves of detachment' the electricity

(or the consequences) of karmas will be insulated against the shock thereof.

We can also take the example of a pen. If a wrong thing is written by the pen,

do we condemn the pen? Or do we garland and praise the pen if it writes

correctly? So is man, like the pen. Man doing deeds or karmas is similar to

the pen which is writing the letters or words on paper. The pen is just an

instrument for writing; man is a mere instrument to perform karma. Hence man

should never discontinue the performance of the karmas (duties) assigned to

him. And he should perform them in a detached way. Denial of karma is the

worst of all sins because it amounts to abnegation. Similarly, contemplating

on death to avoid karmas is an equally serious sin.

 

Thus, this manthra explains the importance and inevitability of the practice

of karma.