Karma Yoga in Gita

1    Action is in the nature of kindling, burning of which results into knowledge. When you ignite a log of wood, it turns into burning coal. How different is the fire from the log! But it is, after all, the log which has undergone this transformation. When vikaram is united with karma, karma attains a divine radiance. A mother's action of caressing her child is apparently insignificant; but who can describe the upsurge of emotions it gives rise to in the hearts of both the mother and the child? It would be utterly nonsensical if one were to say that such emotions would result if a hand of such weight and such softness is moved up and down such a back. Yes, the action is insignificant; but the mother has put her whole heart into it, and it is this vikarma that causes unprecedented joy. There is an incident described in the Ramcharitmanas (the Ramayana written by saint Tulsidas). The vanaras [3] had come wounded and bleeding after a battle with the demons. They were in great pains. Lord Rama just looked at them with love, and all their pain vanished. It would be ridiculous if someone else were to try to bring about such a result by looking at them in an outwardly similar way.

2    Vikarma, combined with karma, results in a powerful explosion of energy, and then akarma is produced. A big log of wood, when burnt, turns into just a handful of harmless ash. In the same way karma, ignited by vikarma, ends up in producing akarma. Is there any relation between the properties of wood and that of the ash? Absolutely there is nothing. You can collect the ash in your hands and merrily smear it all over your body without harm. But there is no doubt that the ash has come out of the burning of that log of wood.

3    When vikarma is united with karma, akarma results. What does it mean? It means that one does not then have the feeling of having done anything. Action does not weigh on the mind of the actor. We act, but still we are not the doers. As the Gita says, you are not the slayer even if you slay somebody. A mother may give a thrashing to her child, but the child will still turn to her for solace. It would not do so if you thrash it. It is so because the mother's heart is pure. Her action is totally devoid of any self-interest. Vikarma, or the purity of mind, erases the action-ness of the action. Infused with the inner vikarma, Lord Rama's action of looking at the vanaras became a sheer outpouring of love that acted as a balm on their wounds. But it did not tire Rama a bit. Action performed with pure heart is free from any attachment. There is, therefore, no question of any sin or merit remaining as a residue after that action is over.

      Otherwise, an action puts great burden and pressure on the mind and the heart. Suppose, a news breaks our now that all the political prisoners are going to be released tomorrow. Imagine the resulting commotion! We are always agitated and strained with anxiety by the thought of the goodness or badness of our actions. Action engulfs us from all sides. It catches us by the scruff of our neck.  Just as the sea-waves dash against the shore and make inroads, the forceful waves of karma enter the mind and agitate it. Dualities of pleasure and pain are created. Peace of the mind is lost. Even after the action is over, its momentum remains. It takes hold of the mind and makes it restless.

      But if karma is coupled with vikarma, any amount of action does not tire. The mind remains calm, peaceful and radiant. When vikarma is poured into karma, it becomes akarma. It is as if karma is erased after it is over.

Married Life

Every Grahastha yogi should adopt these mantras whole heartedly. He must chant them several times during the day. He may write these on a small card and carry it along and he should read them whenever he gets time, contemplating upon each written word. If possible, he should frame it in a poster and hand it upon a wall in his room. Early in the morning while getting up from sleep he must read these mantras a few times before getting busy in the daily chores, and take a vow that he would try his best throughout the day to deep sentiments hidden in these words and that he would sincerely try to match his conduct with these thoughts. For one who leaves his bed contemplating upon these mantras, this effect would stay with him throughout the day. The instructions given to the inner unconscious mind early in the morning go very deep; they do not fade in the memory easily and recur in the conscious mind at the right time.

Every Morning a Grahastha Yogi must chant ------

·         I am a Grahastha Yogi

·         My life is oriented towards Sadhana

·         What do others do, how they do it, what they ssay and think - I do not care, for I am satisfied with myself.

·         My true sadhana of performing my duties is so great, so satisfying, calming and fulfilling that it suffuses my soul with bliss.

·         I shall continue my enriching, blissful sadhana uninterruptedly

·         I shall always perform all my duties towards my home with selfless attitude.

This oath must get firmly ingrained in mind. Whenever the mind begins to waver and infirmities appear to set in, this oath must be reaffirmed with sincerity.

Before falling asleep in the night all the actions during the day should be thought over again:

·         What activities did I do today that were related to my family?

·         What were my errors in carrying these out?

·         What inappropriate actions did I perform out of selfishness?

·         What wrongs did I do unintentionally?

·         Which actions were good, appropriate and in perfect accordance with the tenets of Grahastha Yoga?

All the activities done for the family must be divided into these categories and then means to correct the errors made must be found out. Adopting the process of --searching for mistakes and errors, accepting them, being ashamed of them and putting sincere, honest efforts to correct them, one can reduce one's mistakes day-by-day.

Methods of Earning Wealth

Meaning: Our ancient Grantha Rigved has stated in the line of the Mantra 1/1/3 that - we should earn wealth only according to the rules made by the God. The wealth earned by dishonesty should be away from us. Let us not keep the money earned by improper means. Earn money according to religious rules and use them in religious work.

Message: The Vedas have preached to man to be free from greed. But the question is, ultimately what greed is? Greed is that mentality whereby man is not satisfied even after earning the maximum wealth. There are many forms of greed. To be busy in earning money even by destroying one's own health is also a type of greed. The money earned by deceit, stealing, by trespassing or by not paying taxes or through corruption is also a type of greed. All these schemes of making money are teeming with dishonesty and they stain our soul also. The wealth earned by sinful acts under the temptation of greed is condemnable in every way.

Money has received so much importance that only money counts in this world. Money had become necessary for every work in this world. Whether the task is big or small, religion or politics, spiritual endeavor or religious vow or recitations to be performed, for all these money becomes necessary. Therefore the Vedas have called it an essential task or duty to accumulate money also and have also lauded the human tendency for earning more and more money through the maximum possible diligence. With that the man receives the blessings of supremacy and increase in wealth also. For the increase in wealth and its good fortune, knowledge and skill are required. Through knowledge, one receives guidance and inspiration and through skill, there is increase in wealth. Competence based on experience for some special task is known as skill. This skill itself cleaners the road for obtaining prosperity. The place of God is first in man's life, then character and then comes the place for money.

But man is never satisfied with money. This thirst of his is also known as greed. This is a big distortions or perversity of nature. Greed covers man's moral intelligence with darkness in the form of ignorance. When this happens man sarts committing inhuman acts and does not feel any sense of shame when doing such acts. Acting shamelessly he neglects his own moral, religious duties and thus hurts his own interests. In this way, such a man destroys all three that is his own wealth, religion and happiness. The money earned immorally through greed and undesirable acts like bribes, makes the mind very restless and upset. Such a home or family gets destroyed by involving in bad acts and man's moral downfall also occurs.

Therefore the Vedas have directed that man should try to earn more and more money only within the framework of religious conduct by tremendous hard work. Only such money is pure. Man gets happiness, peace and satisfaction with that. Man does not spend such hard earned money for wrong work or without reason and enjoys the bliss by spending such money for the welfare of the society. By seeing others' welfare through his money, he becomes mentally very cheerful. Such pure money develops moral qualities in people and inspires all for doing righteous deeds.

Only the money earned honestly gives beneficent results.

Prayer The Nourishment Of Soul

In the view of Mahatma Gandhi, if I do not get food I am least worried but it makes me mad if I miss my prayer. Prayer is million times more beneficial than food. One may forego his food by not his prayer. Prayer is the very nourishment of soul. It world be too good, if we could contemplate on God whole day long but since it is not possible for us all, it is desirable that we should sit at least for a few hours every day in contemplation of God.

Eulogy, worship and prayer are not blind faiths, but they are real and true acts like eating, drinking, walking and sitting; nay, if we say that it is the only truth and all the rest are false and unreal, it would be no exaggeration. Offering of prayer does not mean begging, but in fact it is the natural voice of soul. When we fully come to realize our in capabilities and leaving all other worldly recourses aside, confide our faith in God, the very outburst of our emotions in such a state is called prayer. The offering of prayer and singing song, in praise of God are not mere utterances of one's tongue but are actually the outpourings of one's heart. This is the reason that even the dumb, the stammer, and the stupid persons can also offer prayer.

The main purpose of offering prayer is, to seek discourse with God and to gain light for the purification of the soul, so that we could win over our weaknesses. Prayer devoid of emotion is of no use.

What to talk of the other world, even in this world prayer is a source of peace and happiness. So if we rally wish to become human, we must make our lives interesting and fruitful through prayer. It is therefore advisable for everyone to remain engrossed in prayer with heart and soul. All complicated riddles arising out of national, social and political problems find their easy and quick solutions through prayer that through intellect.

Prosperity and spirituality to the human beings

Shastra (ancient Nepalese texts) guide the aspirants of wealth as to who is blessed by the Goddess Lakshmi. The style of these texts of  prehistoric times may be rhetoric and often presented as anecdotes in which the Goddess is Herself conversing with a devotee. This sounds unusual today, but the inherent teachings are universal and continue to be valid evne now. One can's attain prospering wealth and consequent peace and joy if one disobeys or ignores these teachings. Let us look at some excerpts.

Responding to the devotee's query, Goddess Lakshmi explains:

Vasami Nityam subhage pragalbhe, Dakse Nare Karmani Vartiamane

Akrodhane Devapare, Kratagye, Jitendriye, Nityamudrina Sattve

Meaning: I reside in the homes of those who are alert and wise, who are soft spoken, dutiful, strong, anger-less and who have an attitude of gratitude, control over the sense-organs and who are devoted to God (to noble values and disciplines)

Indeed, irrespective of whether one attempt is generate, expand and preserve wealth via business, agriculture, professional jobs, govt. service, etc, all the above-specified qualities are essential to ensure career-growth and support and cooperation of financers, customers and colleagues. Devotion to the scriptural disciplines is not possible without cultivation of integrity of character, sincerity and sensitivity with inner strength. These virtues are necessary for personal growth and sustained success.

Another crucial quality for the grace of Goddess Lakshmi is industriousness -diligence with perseverance and foresight.

There was a small state named Billari in south India. Once, the troops of shivaji attacked it. The soldiers of Billari fought with all their might, but were defeated, being lesser in number. The surviving defenders were arrested. Among them was also Malbai, the queen of the state. Shivaji ordered to bring her in a dignified manner, but being a prisoner Malbai felt this honor to be displeasing and said to shivaji -"I consider this honor as a disgrace. Give me capital punishment like a defeated enemy.

Shivaji stepped down from the throne, greeted her and said - " I cannot insult a brave, valiant and honorable lady like you. My mother Jeeja Bai has expired recently. I am visualizing her valiant character in you and hence forth I will always consider you as my mother. Malbai's eyes were filled with tears of joy and affection, she said - "You are actually chhattrapati. Religion and nation would surely be safe under your protection".

Role of Arjuna in Mahabharata

I am reminded here of the story, of a judge. He had sentenced to death hundreds of criminals. But one day, his own son was produced before him, accused of murder. His guilt was proved and the time came for the judge to pronounce the sentence. It is then that the judge hesitated, and started arguing, "The death sentence is inhuman. It does not behoove a man to inflict such a punishment. It destroys all hopes of reforming the guilty. One commits murder in a fit of passion. The moment of bloodthirsty madness then passes off. Still we coolly take him to the gallows and hang him to death. It is disgraceful to humanity." Such were the judge's arguments. But had his son not been there, he would have gone on sentencing people to death. His arguments lacked inner conviction; they were born out of attachment to his son.

Arjuna's condition was like that of the judge in this story. His arguments were not unsound. The world has witnessed precisely the same consequences of the First World War. But the point is that Arjuna was not voicing his own authentic conviction. His arguments were words seemingly wise, but not really so. Krishna realized this. He, therefore, paid no attention to Arjuna's arguments and straightway proceeded to dos[e; jos delusion. Had Arjuna rally become a votary of nonviolence, he would not have been satisfied until his arguments had been convincingly answered. But the Gita nowhere deals with them, and yet, Arjuna was ultimately satisfied. This means that Arjuna had not really become a votary of nonviolence. The intrinsic propensity to fight was still very much a part of his nature. War was for him his natural and inescapable duty. But he was trying to evade this duty under the spell of delusion. It is this decision that the Gita attacks most pointedly.

What is the Pure meaning of the Science

Science should not take the world "religion" to always mean only as a set of rituals followed by a particular "community" or as an ensemble of dogmatic norms derived from a doctrine. There has to be a strong opposition to communal partisanship and the spreading of stupid customs and superstitions by vested selfish elements. But what must be kept out of any dispute is that aspect of religion, which relates to idealism and morality, for based upon this alone man has inwardly grown from prehistoric ages to the present status where he can appreciate the importance of these profound concepts.

Saint Vinoba has stated - "The era of religion and politics is over; now spirituality and science will replace these". It has always been the rule in the world that every object, every situation and every belie lasts only till it keeps proving itself to be of some utility. With the infusion of distortions, even a good object of earlier times may get spoiled and become useless. Then it has to be removed and thrown away in a heap of garbage.

Vinoba has taken the word 'religion' to man 'community'. Difference between religion and community is quite clear. What is meant by religion is ethics. Morality and search for truth. Such a religion has no beginning and it has to last forever. It can not get stale, nor can ever be spoiled. Even thieves want to employ honest servants. A cruel person also desires soft and sympathetic treatment for himself. A licentious individual also seeks a person of good conduct to wed his daughter to. A person who cheats also favors transparency. This is the religion as propounded by sacred scriptures and so it is clear that nobody can challenge this religion. The 'religion' that is mocked at and termed useless by rational thinkers is actually distorted communities were also created with good intentions initially and sufficient margin was kept for modifications with the changing circumstances. Religious fanatics disallow desirable modifications with time and begin to accept distortions that have crept in with the passage of time also as religious traditions. Normally such distorted fanatic communalism is called as 'religion' by people. Vinobaji has also referred to this 'religion', which would be replaced in coming days. Refined religion is called spirituality. What is meant by the statement that spirituality will replace religion in only that today's distorted communalism prevailing in the name of religion will get replaced by installation of that purified religion which is based on morality, good conduct, justice and righteousness. Awakened discerning intelligence of the new era is bound to bring about such a grand transformation.

Similarly replacement of politics is not meant to be the end of governance or arrival of anarchy but de-recognition of antagonistic groupism in political activity. The indication here is on the censure of cunningness and cruelty in political activities. By 'science' vinobaji means specialized knowledge - the discerning intelligence. Aim of science is discovery of truth. Discerning intelligence is obtained when ground reality is viewed with penetrating insight. Vinobaji has not taken science to men material science.

We can understand with more clarity what Vinobaji means by science on the basis of various definitions expounded by some modern thinkers.

Jacob Bronowski, the author of the book 'Common Sense of Science' has regarded science as a comprehensive philosophy of thinking-process and has stated - "Acceptance of what works and rejection of what does not is what science is". He further clarifies his statement - "The inspiration of science is only that our thoughts must be realistic, they must have capability of adapting to ever-changing circumstances and they must be impartial. Then such thoughts will be considered as 'science' even though they may be related any field in the world. Such a way of thinking will always be called 'scientifeic'.