Do Your Karma Without Expecting Fruits

In a fast-paced world driven by immediate rewards, ancient wisdom tells us to focus on performing our actions without attaching expectations to the results.

This age-old philosophy, found in spiritual teachings like the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali’s Yog Sutra, remains incredibly relevant today.

Whether it’s the desire for success, recognition, or material wealth, we are conditioned to yearn for the fruits of our labor.

However, this very attachment to outcomes often leads to a relentless pursuit of desires, a pursuit that the sages wisely describe as infinite.

It is during this ceaseless chase that we lose touch with our inner wisdom and serenity.

The great battlefield of Kurukshetra

Imagine, for a moment, the great battlefield of Kurukshetra, where the warrior Arjuna was grappling with the moral and emotional dilemmas of war.

In the midst of this turmoil, Lord Krishna imparted a profound teaching: “Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana” – Your right is to perform your duty alone; never to its fruits. Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.

This timeless advice encourages us to exercise our intellect in gracefully accepting the outcomes of our actions, regardless of whether they align with our expectations.

It invites us to release the shackles of attachment and instead embrace the beauty of the present moment.

A practical approach to life

Krishna’s wisdom extends beyond the realm of philosophy; it offers a practical approach to life. It reminds us that everything in this world, including our own creations and our very lives, is impermanent (anitya).

In contrast, truth is eternal and liberating. Mistaking the impermanent for the eternal is ignorance (avidya). But does this mean we should embrace inaction and withdraw from the world?

Arjuna faced the same quandary, and Krishna came to his rescue with another profound teaching: “Karmano hyapi boddhavyam boddhavyam cha vikarmanah. Akarmanash cha boddhavyam gahana karmano gatih” –

You must understand the nature of all three – recommended action (karma), wrong action (vikarma), and inaction (akarma). The truth about these is profound and challenging to grasp.

True wisdom lies in perceiving ‘action

True wisdom lies in perceiving ‘action in inaction’ and ‘inaction in action.’ This perspective transforms us into yogis, individuals who are ‘calmly active’ and ‘actively calm.’

Yogis do not shun action; instead, they renounce the inclination to attach conditions to the outcomes of their actions. They perform their duties with sincerity and diligence while remaining detached from the results.

Patanjali’s Yog Sutra further illuminates this path. It teaches us that ignorance is mistaking the impermanent, impure, painful, and non-self for the eternal, pure, joyful, and true Self.

By unburdening ourselves from the constraints of attaching conditions to our actions, we move closer to becoming true yogis.

A yogi is one who is free from desires. Conditions give birth to desires, and a desire-less existence is the essence of a yogi’s journey.

This state is not reserved for ascetics meditating in secluded caves; it can be embodied by individuals in every facet of life, from bustling corporate boardrooms to the humblest of occupations.

Now, as for the lesson I wish I had learned earlier in life:

Friends, the timeless wisdom of these ancient teachings beckons us to perform our karma without expecting fruits. It calls upon us to embrace our duties with dedication and sincerity, while simultaneously releasing our attachment to the outcomes.

This philosophy liberates us from the bondage of desires and conditions, enabling us to rediscover our inner tranquility and wisdom.

Looking back on my life journey, I wish I had learned this invaluable lesson earlier: that the true essence of fulfillment lies in doing our best without being consumed by the anticipation of rewards.

It’s a lesson that can free us from the burdens of stress, anxiety, and unmet expectations. By simply focusing on the present moment and the excellence of our actions, we can experience a profound sense of contentment and peace.

BE HAPPY….BE ACTIVE….BE FOCUSED….BE ALIVE…

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Categories: infotainment

Tags: #Karma, #Life, #Mahabharat, #Result, #wellness, Action and Inaction, featured