Karma Yogam : Swami Nikhilananda Saraswati
24/10/2018
The first step to preparing the mind, the first step on the path of spirituality is karma yoga. The beauty in is that even if one does not reach the ultimate goal, walking on the path itself will give great joy and great peace.
What is karma yoga? As a human being, we have obligations towards ourselves, the family, society, nature, ancestors, the environment, and, of course, God. We have responsibilities towards all of these and fulfilling them is very important. Another vital aspect about karma yoga is that one should discharge these responsibilities as worship of Ishvara. When I start doing my duties for the Lord, I start enjoying them. No doubt, the subsequent result will come, but Sri Krishna tells us to try and relish the work itself. The result, when it comes, should be accepted gracefully. When the attitude - the principal factor is of worship, working itself will give immense happiness and contentment.
The Bhagavad-gita reveals the nature of Ishvara. Sri Krishna emphatically states: “I reside in the hearts of every being. I pervade the whole world.” To dedicate all our actions to the Lord, we do not have to go to a temple; wherever we are, Ishvara is there. Just bring the right bhavana, the right attitude in your heart of offering all your work to Ishvara. When we develop this dedicated attitude, a number of our psychological and self-created problems will disappear.
Swadharma and Paradharma
Karma yoga is the first lesson taught in the Bhagavad-gita. It might appear very simple, but it is extremely profound and important. Many people try to do somebody else’s duties instead of doing their own. This is called paradharma. My own duties are called swadharma. Bhagavan advises us not to do paradharma. The lesson is: do your swadharma, do not do paradharma and avoid papa karma - adharma - which is harmful and not for the welfare of all. Papa karma should be avoided at all levels, at the level of speech, action and thinking. Avoiding paradharma and adharma, one has to fulfil one’s own swadharma, enjoy that work and offer it to Ishvara, the creator, who resides in all.
Thus, the first lesson is to fulfil our responsibilities, it creates order and peace around. That is the first lesson: perform karma yoga as worship of God. This will give peace and develop purity of heart; it makes one relaxed and peaceful. The opposite - doing what we are not supposed to do and not doing what we are supposed to do - creates a lot anxiety and restlessness
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