<p>One of the most critical instructions that Arjuna receives from Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita is the notion of renouncing the fruits of action. <br /><br />Human beings have the right to action but they should not appropriate the fruits of action but instead surrender them to the Supreme Being.<br /><br />The Lord declares: “He who sees action in inaction and who sees inaction in action, he is the one endowed with wisdom among human beings. He joined in yoga, a performer of complete action.” </p>.<p>The wise perform action without attachment to its outcome and by giving up that attachment attain freedom through the fire of supreme knowledge. </p>.<p>This is called nishkama karma or desireless action.</p>.<p> Such a one performs actions for the sake of others. All his actions are acts of sacrifice as they have no trace of selfishness in them. </p>.<p>They are directed for the benefit of all. Such action then becomes a source of liberation and <br />freedom. </p>.<p>As the Lord declares: “Abandoning attachment to the fruits of action, ever satiated, without dependency, even though involved in action, he never does anything. </p>.<p>Without expectation, his mind self-controlled, ceasing all intake through the senses, performing actions only physically, he does not gather sin. </p>.<p>Satisfied with gaining whatever comes without seeking, having transcended all opposites of duality, free of small mindedness, alike in accomplishment or failure, such a person is not bound even by performing action”.</p>.<p>According to Swami Rama: “The psychology of the East is practical, experiential and applicable and the path of sadhana or spiritual practice in which the development of will is the central focus is unique. Aspirants who have mastered this path are rarely seen. In the East, spiritual practice is more important than external observations and intellectual conclusions.”<br /><br />Sacrifice is therefore the most effective vehicle for attaining self-realization. Swami Rama distinguishes between four types of yajna or sacrifice including (a) those performed to fulfil mundane desires, (b) those performed as selfless service to others, (c) those performed to attain freedom from karma or actions and (d) those performed by yogis to burn their latent tendencies in the fire of knowledge.<br /><br />Arjuna is then instructed to prostrate before a Gurudeva or self-realized master in deep reverence and humility because through interrogation and service, “the wise ones who have seen the Reality will instruct you in this knowledge”.<br /><br /> Among the five elements, it is fire that is the purest: there is no impurity it cannot burn. <br /><br />The Self Realized Master is symbolic of jnana or wisdom. <br /><br />The impurities in the mind of the aspirant is consigned to the flames of wisdom emanating from the Guru. <br /><br />This explains why his counsel is essential.</p>
<p>One of the most critical instructions that Arjuna receives from Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita is the notion of renouncing the fruits of action. <br /><br />Human beings have the right to action but they should not appropriate the fruits of action but instead surrender them to the Supreme Being.<br /><br />The Lord declares: “He who sees action in inaction and who sees inaction in action, he is the one endowed with wisdom among human beings. He joined in yoga, a performer of complete action.” </p>.<p>The wise perform action without attachment to its outcome and by giving up that attachment attain freedom through the fire of supreme knowledge. </p>.<p>This is called nishkama karma or desireless action.</p>.<p> Such a one performs actions for the sake of others. All his actions are acts of sacrifice as they have no trace of selfishness in them. </p>.<p>They are directed for the benefit of all. Such action then becomes a source of liberation and <br />freedom. </p>.<p>As the Lord declares: “Abandoning attachment to the fruits of action, ever satiated, without dependency, even though involved in action, he never does anything. </p>.<p>Without expectation, his mind self-controlled, ceasing all intake through the senses, performing actions only physically, he does not gather sin. </p>.<p>Satisfied with gaining whatever comes without seeking, having transcended all opposites of duality, free of small mindedness, alike in accomplishment or failure, such a person is not bound even by performing action”.</p>.<p>According to Swami Rama: “The psychology of the East is practical, experiential and applicable and the path of sadhana or spiritual practice in which the development of will is the central focus is unique. Aspirants who have mastered this path are rarely seen. In the East, spiritual practice is more important than external observations and intellectual conclusions.”<br /><br />Sacrifice is therefore the most effective vehicle for attaining self-realization. Swami Rama distinguishes between four types of yajna or sacrifice including (a) those performed to fulfil mundane desires, (b) those performed as selfless service to others, (c) those performed to attain freedom from karma or actions and (d) those performed by yogis to burn their latent tendencies in the fire of knowledge.<br /><br />Arjuna is then instructed to prostrate before a Gurudeva or self-realized master in deep reverence and humility because through interrogation and service, “the wise ones who have seen the Reality will instruct you in this knowledge”.<br /><br /> Among the five elements, it is fire that is the purest: there is no impurity it cannot burn. <br /><br />The Self Realized Master is symbolic of jnana or wisdom. <br /><br />The impurities in the mind of the aspirant is consigned to the flames of wisdom emanating from the Guru. <br /><br />This explains why his counsel is essential.</p>
