kim karma kimakarmeti kavayo'pyatra mohitaah|
tatte karma pravashyami yajjnatva mokshase'shubhaat|| (Bhag. Gi. C. 4. verse 16)
tatte karma pravashyami yajjnatva mokshase'shubhaat|| (Bhag. Gi. C. 4. verse 16)
It is difficult to define clearly what is karma, action (fate or destiny?). Karma is action. Akarma is inaction, and is action with no intent, desire or selfish motive. The Lord says, "No body can sit quiet; so do your action. But, since every action begets its fruits (karma phala) the jiva has to suffer. in order to over come this defect, I advice you, Arjuna, do your action and leave the fruits to Me. Then, your action will not bind you. But, remember, you cannot avoid action or keep quiet when you are expected to act".
karmanyevaadhikaaraste ma phaleshu kadaachana |
One may get angry if somebody says, 'you do your duty; you have no right to the wages'! But, the Benevolent Lord says so. He definitely gives more, and will never cheat. But, the jiva has no faith in Him, who sits within it and guides all its actions!
This explains the secret of doing our job and, still, not bound its consequences (karma-bandhana)! is the secret of action and non-action, but not inaction.Since every action brings in its wake a 'seed' for rebirth, the jiva has to suffer an endless cycle of births and deaths due to its action; but, there is no way out of this! Hence the Lord comes to the help of the jiva to redeem it by taking the responsibility for its actions. There is an interesting account of a Bank Manager who was posted to a rural branch where there was not sufficient security. The Manager used to take the money to his home to keep it safe; but, there was the fear of theft. Gradually he lost his health and went and told this to his higher officer, RM. The Regional Manager laughed at him and told him that there was no need for this anxiety since the Bank is insured! Thus, the Branch Manager was relieved of his anxiety and he got a transfer to a better place, too" This is the secret of the secrets (guhyatama guhyam, says, the Lord).
karmanyevaadhikaaraste ma phaleshu kadaachana |
One may get angry if somebody says, 'you do your duty; you have no right to the wages'! But, the Benevolent Lord says so. He definitely gives more, and will never cheat. But, the jiva has no faith in Him, who sits within it and guides all its actions!
This explains the secret of doing our job and, still, not bound its consequences (karma-bandhana)! is the secret of action and non-action, but not inaction.Since every action brings in its wake a 'seed' for rebirth, the jiva has to suffer an endless cycle of births and deaths due to its action; but, there is no way out of this! Hence the Lord comes to the help of the jiva to redeem it by taking the responsibility for its actions. There is an interesting account of a Bank Manager who was posted to a rural branch where there was not sufficient security. The Manager used to take the money to his home to keep it safe; but, there was the fear of theft. Gradually he lost his health and went and told this to his higher officer, RM. The Regional Manager laughed at him and told him that there was no need for this anxiety since the Bank is insured! Thus, the Branch Manager was relieved of his anxiety and he got a transfer to a better place, too" This is the secret of the secrets (guhyatama guhyam, says, the Lord).
I the jiva takes pride in its action it has to take the responsibility to its action. If the action is done in the name of the Lord, saying, "There is no fear of any bondage. But, 'ego' does not allow the jiva to offer its fruits to the Lord and consequently, it suffers! This secret here is 'nishkama karma'. The All-knowing (omniscient) supreme Lord maintains the credit and debit account and will not give one dollar or rupee less or more, one minute earlier or later than it is due!
As long as the Managing Director takes the responsibility of paying his staff, he/she has to arrange for the payments and his/her Cashier and Accountants have no responsibility as such. If the responsibility is handed over to the supreme Lord, Ishvara, the MD also can be happy without any tension. After all, the world is run by Him, and He is capable (omnipotent). He, the Lord, has a thousand eyes (sahasraksha) and looks everywhere! If the jiva suffers it is its due to its ignorance. Surrender to Him and be happy. Have faith in Him says, the Gita.
Regarding the concept of 'akarma' there are instances how things get done without any effort. Of course, this does not mean that students could pass the examination without studying hard as some engineering college students once queried me. It is definitely "doing work with focused attention, on one thing at a time, well done". There was some problem in a nationalized bank where there was ill-will, strife, jealous, and the Manager was not able to pull on with the staff and the poor clients suffered. Transfers also did not work. Then, this concept was placed before them. When there is a head of the branch who is self-less, kind and affectionate, devoted, and talks sweet and maintains cordial relations with all, the bank functions so well that all are happy. In fact, the head of the Institution should be so consciously aware of his position and devotes full attention to the job without any expectation of favor, all others emulate him/her. In fact, the head of the Institution should be such that all eagerly await him/her and devotedly work to get a glance of him/her and a word of appreciation! Corrupt ones will be hated!
There is one who gets all work done without worry and even bothering about it; and, there is another, where there is not a single work done satisfactorily despite all the shouting and pains taken! This is 'akarma' theory. Mere worrying or exertion will not do.
In Lakshmi Tantra of the Pancharatra, Goddess Lakshmi tells Indra (Shakra) that the Supreme Lord Narayana has manifest Him Self as Lakshmi as the Creative Power (kriyashakti) and Vasudeva is to look after the world She has created. Vishnu is there to look after the affairs and protect all jivas. Vishnu bhaktaanaam na bhayam kvachit | Why not trust Him and Be happy?
Regarding the concept of 'akarma' there are instances how things get done without any effort. Of course, this does not mean that students could pass the examination without studying hard as some engineering college students once queried me. It is definitely "doing work with focused attention, on one thing at a time, well done". There was some problem in a nationalized bank where there was ill-will, strife, jealous, and the Manager was not able to pull on with the staff and the poor clients suffered. Transfers also did not work. Then, this concept was placed before them. When there is a head of the branch who is self-less, kind and affectionate, devoted, and talks sweet and maintains cordial relations with all, the bank functions so well that all are happy. In fact, the head of the Institution should be so consciously aware of his position and devotes full attention to the job without any expectation of favor, all others emulate him/her. In fact, the head of the Institution should be such that all eagerly await him/her and devotedly work to get a glance of him/her and a word of appreciation! Corrupt ones will be hated!
There is one who gets all work done without worry and even bothering about it; and, there is another, where there is not a single work done satisfactorily despite all the shouting and pains taken! This is 'akarma' theory. Mere worrying or exertion will not do.
In Lakshmi Tantra of the Pancharatra, Goddess Lakshmi tells Indra (Shakra) that the Supreme Lord Narayana has manifest Him Self as Lakshmi as the Creative Power (kriyashakti) and Vasudeva is to look after the world She has created. Vishnu is there to look after the affairs and protect all jivas. Vishnu bhaktaanaam na bhayam kvachit | Why not trust Him and Be happy?
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