CHAPTER 3 KARMA-YOGA, THE PATH OF DUTY
Papin: Why do we have to control our desires, Grandma?
Grandma: When you choose wrong behavior for sense enjoyment, you also choose its results. That is why work has to be done for the welfare of all and not just to satisfy your desires or for personal gain. One who practices KarmaYoga is called a KarmaYogi. A KarmaYogi finds the right way to serve and turns her or his work into worship. In KarmaYoga, no work is more important or less important than other work.
PAPIN: Uncle Hari left his family and home and went to an Ashram last year to find God. Do we have to leave home to seek God?
Grandma: No, we do not. In the Gita, Lord Krishna has given us different paths to God-realization. The path you choose depends on your individual nature. In general, there are two types of people in the world: the inward (or studious, introvert) type and the outward or active type. For the introvert like Uncle Hari, the path of spiritual knowledge is best. Followers of this path go to a spiritual master or a guru where they study Vedic scriptures under proper guidance. In this path, we learn who we are and how we can lead a happy and peaceful life.
PAPIN: Do we have to read all the scriptures to understand and find God?
Grandma: There are many scriptures in our religion, such as the 4 Vedas, 108 Upanishads, 18 Purānas, Rāmāyanas, Mahābhārata, various Sutras and many others. Reading all of them would be a difficult task. But Lord Krishna has given us everything we need to know about God in the Gita. The Gita has the essence of all the Vedas and Upanishads for the modern time.
PAPIN : Uncle Puri is a farmer and has no interest in studying the Gita. He says the Gita is difficult and not for common people like him. So how can Uncle Puri realize God?
Grandma: Uncle Puri should follow the second path, the path of KarmaYoga that is described in this chapter of the Gita. This is the path of duty or selfless service. This path is better for most people who work hard to support a family and have no time or interest to read scriptures. Followers of this path do not have to leave work and go to an Ashram. They give up selfish motives and do all work for the greater good of society, instead of just for themselves.
PAPIN: But people will work harder if they have selfish motives, won't they, Grandma?
Grandma: It is true that people may earn more if they work for selfish gain, but they will not find permanent peace and happiness. Only those who do their duty selflessly for the good of all people will find real peace and satisfaction.
PAPIN: If people don't work for personal gain, will they still do their best and not become lazy?
Grandma: A true KarmaYogi works hard even without personal gain. Only the ignorant work just for personal gain. The world runs smoothly because people do their duty. Parents work hard to support their family, and the children do their part. Nobody can remain inactive or idle all the time. Most people engage in some activity and do what they can. Brahmā, the creator, gave his first teaching to humanity when he said: Let all of you progress and prosper by helping each other and by doing your duty properly. (Gita 3.10-11)
PAPIN: What happens if people work hard just for their own benefit?
Grandma: They commit sin, Jai. It is wrong to perform any action selfishly without considering its effect on others. Lord Krishna calls such a person a thief, useless, and sinful. (Gita 3.12-13) We should never live and work just for ourselves. We should help and serve each other..
PAPIN: What does a person gain who follows the teaching of Lord Brahmā and works for the good of society?
Grandma: Such a person attains peace and success in this life, reaches God, and does not take birth again on this earth. Here is a true modern story of how selfless service, discussed in Chapter 3, works wonders in life. GAURAV V. PATEL SATYAM SHIVAM APP. PIJ ROAD, NADIAD. (GUJ). Mo.9925595162 |
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