Fruits of Action

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Fruits of Action

 

Deeds and the results of one's deeds are fundamental aspects of the

karmic cycle. Once this " every action has a reaction " phenomenon is

understood, the limitedness of the individual's role in the bigger

realm of things should become clear. However, as it may seem due to

the ignorance, the craving for the ownership is an irresistible

eventuality. It is as involuntary as the heart beat. How could one

yield to the cycle of action and reaction, and yet contemplate on

what the Sadguru is capable of giving? Baba said, its Viveka (wisdom)

that leads one to Vairagya (detachment). It is the " stateless state "

that could only be perennial. It is possible only by surrendering

the " self " to the Sadguru.

 

The following is an interesting passage from Sri Ganapathi

Sachchidananda Swami ji's " Bhakthi Maala " . The fruits of action and

the experiencing of those fruits in this world are dependent on the

effort we put in. If one works hard in the fields, one gets good

harvest. But the fruits of action, like the grains that one grows,

will be spent after some time. To replenish it, one will have to work

hard again. Happiness in the other world also depends upon the amount

of merit earned by us in this world. More the effort, more the merit

and more the happiness. With more and more effort, one might become

eligible to go to Vaikuntha or Kailasa or Brahma loka. But it must be

remembered that even this merit is like a bag of grains. It will be

exhausted sooner or later. In this world, there is a possibility to

preserve a part of the harvest for producing crops again. In other

words, here it is possible to experience happiness as well as to

strive hard to earn merit. It is not so in the other world. There, it

is not possible to earn Punya while enjoying the fruits of merits

earned previously. One will have to experience happiness completely,

exhaust his merit, and then return to this world to earn more Punya.

 

By this, we can realize that the happiness of the other world is not

only temporary, but is also troublesome to us because it drains us of

our merit and sends us here to strive hard again and again. When this

knowledge sets in, you will automatically lose interest in the

pleasures of this and the other world. The detachment should be so

strong that even if someone offers you heaven, you should turn it

down and look upon it with disgust. To reject a cake when the stomach

is full does not constitute Vairagya. Real Vairagya is that state in

which an individual shows no desire for any sort of pleasure - here

or hereafter. Yes, it is possible only by surrendering the " self " to

the Sadguru.

 

" What (whether good or bad) is ours, is with us, and what is another's is with

him. " -Shri Sai Baba