Man goes to the office to work and with great enthusiasm and promptness he does the office work, and for that work he receives some wages. The work is for the company whereas the wages are for him. Similarly, by coming into this world, man must do the work for this world, not for himself. The predominant feeling must be, how will all be benefited? How will all become happy? How will all get rest and relaxation? Having such sentiments, we are to do all the work, only for the world. Just like all the things that are in your place of work (office) are for use in office work only, not for personal use, similarly all the things in this world are for the world only, not for us.
This body, wealth, property, buildings etc. are all received from the world, and in the end when leaving, they are to be given back to the world. Therefore the things that have been received from the world, consider these as belonging to the world only and then they should be put to use for their service. These things are neither ours, nor for us. Therefore there is nothing at all to be done for ourselves. On doing nothing for one’s self, relationship with the world is discontinued, and we experience our eternal relationship with Paramatma (God). This is called Yoga. Actions (karma) are for the world, and Yoga (Union) is for us. Consider this union ‘Yoga’ as the wages (earnings).
On realizing that there is nothing whatsoever to be done for the self and there is nothing whatsoever for me, the relationship with the world is severed (discontinued). This is Karmayog. On this subject, God says –
Nehabhikramanaashosti pratyavaayo na vidhyate |
Swalpamapyasya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayaat ||
(Gītā 2/40)
In this Karmayog (path of selfless action), there is neither loss of effort, nor any adverse result. Even a little practice of this discipline (dharma) protects one from great danger of birth and death.” (Gītā 2/40)
Just like when one comes to the office one has to complete his office work, similarly, when one comes into this world, one has to complete his duty. Our duty has to be done with the spirit of selflessness, having all its major and minor tasks completed and fulfilled.
The nature of Karmayog is that –
Karmanyavaadhikaaraste maa phaleshu kadaachanaa |
Maa karmaphalaheturbhoor Maa te sangostvakarmani
(Gītā 2/47)
You have the right to perform your duties only, and not to its fruits. Therefore do not be the cause of the fruit of actions, nor let your attachment be for inaction (Gītā 2/47)
On doing work, being free of desire and attachment (infatuation), the relationship with the world is renounced and through renunciation one attains instant peace – –
“tyaagaacshaantiranantaram” (Gītā 12/12).
Lack of peace is only due to affinity (relationship) with the perishable world. The more deeply one affiliates with the perishable worldly things i.e. the more the feeling of ‘mine-ness’ (apnaapan) with the world, to that extent there is more lack of peace. If a relationship is not established with the world, then lack of peace cannot arise at all. In this way, peace is naturally self-evident, whereas, lack of peace is false, i.e. it is self created and imposed.
Question: What you are saying is absolutely true, but these points are not remembered at all times.
Answer: These points are not to be remembered at all. What is to be remembered is God’s Name, His Form, His divine play etc. These aforementioned points are to be understood in the absolute sense. Just like, we are right now in Ayodhya, then, we do not need to remember this by constant reciting that “I am in Ayodhya, I am in Ayodhya.” This is not a subject of remembering. Just like a person is appointed a job in an office and he begins to work there, then he does not have to remember that “this office is not mine”; because it is not something that is to be remembered at all. It is only about acceptance and non-acceptance. “I am in Ayodhya”, we have accepted that. “This office is mine” – we have not accepted that. That is all there is to it. “This office is not mine, and all the things in it are not mine’ – this point is understood and deeply imprinted within from the very beginning. Similarly, all the things of this world are not mine and not for me, – establish this Truth within you.
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