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PHRASES IN THE GITA - 18
ந மே பார்தாஸ்தி கர்தவ்யம் த்ரிஷு லோகேஷு கிஞ்சன ... (அத்யாயம் 3 - ஸ்லோகம் 22)
Na Me Paarthaasti Kartavyam Trishu Lokeshu Kinchana ... (Chapter 3 - Shloka 22)
Meaning : I have no duty in all the three worlds.....Yet...
We work for money. We work for fame. We work for favourable returns. We also work for what we regard as our own. We work if we regard it as our duty. But, here Shri Krishna talks of a different kind of work. Work, even when there is no obligation, work even no one expects it, work even when there is nothing to be attained. Shri Krishna says in this phrase that He has no obligation to fulfill, none expects Him to work, there is nothing He needs and has to attain. Yet, He works and works relentlessly. Is it possible for us, humans?
Many of the old among us, retired from stable jobs, enjoying comfortable pension, are in a status similar to the one explained by Shri Krishna. With their sons and daughters educated, employed and married, their obligations are also over. Nothing to attain and no obligations or duties to fulfill. Can we take up works in the families in which we stay, in the house or apartment or the colony we stay, in the community around us or if we do not wish to work among humans, in the vast Nature that has fed, nourished and sustained us all these years?
I know a person who walks daily up a hill to guide children (in studies) in a huge unauthorized settlement there. He conducts his tuitions on the roads, under the street lamps and returns home late in the night. I know a person who reaches Government schools in his village and neighbouring ones, to recite stories, conduct quiz programmes and guide the staff and children during special days like Independence Day, sports Day or annual Day. I know a mother who goes and stays for a few days or months, as the situation demands, with pregnant girls, motherless girls closely or distantly related to her, to affectionately help them go through those few months of pain and stress. I know a person who walks daily through the streets in his town with five kilos of biscuits to feed the street dogs. I know a person who has developed a beautiful garden around his (now his son's) house and turned his street cleaner and greener. I know a person who is available 24 hours for families in his colony, for guidance, help and even going into the town if needed. All these persons are +70 in age, frail in health but enthusiastic in spirit. None of these persons drives a vehicle and has to walk his distances. None of these runs a trust or a social organization for the works they chose to do. (Position in an organization may satisfy ego and provide a 'kick' potent enough to motivate action.) Such persons may be rarities but these persons are definitely great sources of inspiration.
I know a person who walks daily up a hill to guide children (in studies) in a huge unauthorized settlement there. He conducts his tuitions on the roads, under the street lamps and returns home late in the night. I know a person who reaches Government schools in his village and neighbouring ones, to recite stories, conduct quiz programmes and guide the staff and children during special days like Independence Day, sports Day or annual Day. I know a mother who goes and stays for a few days or months, as the situation demands, with pregnant girls, motherless girls closely or distantly related to her, to affectionately help them go through those few months of pain and stress. I know a person who walks daily through the streets in his town with five kilos of biscuits to feed the street dogs. I know a person who has developed a beautiful garden around his (now his son's) house and turned his street cleaner and greener. I know a person who is available 24 hours for families in his colony, for guidance, help and even going into the town if needed. All these persons are +70 in age, frail in health but enthusiastic in spirit. None of these persons drives a vehicle and has to walk his distances. None of these runs a trust or a social organization for the works they chose to do. (Position in an organization may satisfy ego and provide a 'kick' potent enough to motivate action.) Such persons may be rarities but these persons are definitely great sources of inspiration.
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