PHRASES IN THE GITA - 54

ॐ

PHRASES IN THE GITA - 54

अनाश्रितः कर्म फलम  ।  (अध्याय ६ - श्लोक १) 

அனாஶ்ரிதஹ கர்ம ஃபலம்  ...  (அத்யாயம் 6 - ஶ்லோகம் 1)

Anaashritah Karma Phalam  ... (Chapter 6 - Shlokam 1)

Meaning  :  Not relying on Fruits of action ...

Anaashritah karma Phalam ...  Without relying on Fruits of Action ...  This Phrase instantly tells us it must definitely have a second half ..Yes . It has a second half . and that is "Kaaryam Karma Karoti yah ... Sa Sannyaasee ..  He is a Sannyaasee who performs actions ..(without relying on Fruits of Action..)  {It is second half in Samskrit and Fisrt half in English .}

This is one of the few phrases oft repeated in The Gita .  In fact , this Idea may be regarded as the Essence of The Gita .

The suggestion in this phrase is of course difficult to implement , but is Truthful ..  It is difficult not because it is an Impossible Idea but we lack in the strength to bring it in our lives .

There are three important steps in our efforts to strengthen and befit ourselves to adopt this Idea in our Lives .  (1) .  We must be convinced that , "Yes .  Reliance on Fruits of Actions , nay , mere thoughts on Fruits of Action affects our Actions .  (2) .  Systematic , conscious and tireless experiments and practices in this direction .  (3) .  Realizing and firmly engraving this conviction deep within ourselves ..

How do thoughts on Fruits disturb Action ?  The Action or Performance is slowed down .  Efficiency is marred .  Action either becomes a mis-action (distorted) or Inaction .  Let us try to understand this through a few examples .

Caring for a child and fulfilling its needs are essentially the Karma or duty of parents .  Growing up , getting educated , earning a good livelihood , caring for the old parents etc . are Fruits of this Karma .  Parents perform so many actions as parts of this duty .What happens when thoughts of Fruits rise while performing the actions .??  For instance , a mother is rocking the Cradle and singing a lullaby to comfort the child .  The moment she gets trapped in thoughts of Fruits , the hands slow down and stop rocking the cradle and the lips stop singing lullaby .  A mother feeding her child , when loses track and wanders in the lanes of "Thoughts (or Worries) on Fruits of Action" does not know the has stopped sucking .  The child has to cry aloud to bring the mother back to action or  "Consciousness of the present moment ".

A student studies .  Repeats reading and writing work .  Memorizes .  Tries to understand and grasp the subject .  These are all the actions he performs .  Good performance in the exams , good marks scored in the exams , entry into a good college or University , a good job with a handful salary , and a good life .... are the fruits of his action .  How will his action of Studying be affected if he 'relies' on fruits of actions ?  Dreams of fruits of action will remove his eyes from the books , sink him in an 'unconscious' state and his studies will be affected .

Beloved is struck with disease and he is involved in nursing and serving her .  That is his action .  The sick beloved gets cured , gets back to normal life or dies .  These are the possible Fruits of his action .  These fruits if attained will relieve him and allow him to resume his own interest and pursue his own desires dreams .  Thoughts on these fruits while performing action (serving the diseased ) will distract him , cause restlessness and frustration in him and will definitely mar the actions being performed by him for his sick beloved .

What is the 'Modus - Operandi' to attain this status ?  Perform at least one action wherein fruit does not seem possible .  Watering Tulasi plant , Helping a stranger with remote chance of feeling gratitude or returning beck the debt of your help ,  Being part of a group involved in Tree Plantation or cleaning up temples and tanks .,  Losing Identity or becoming Faceless by being involved in a massive organization ,  taking part in Bhajan and Satsang ,  etc .  Trikal Sandhya Vandan prescribed for the Brahmins is the best possible practice towards thie purpose .  GoSeva , (Service to the Cow) , giving a drop of water to the Sun (Argya) etc. may also be effective practices .  The action may be anything .  It must be regular .  It must be performed consciously , not mechanically .  Any fruit of the action must be distantly invisible and must seem impossible .

Regular , unhindered practice will instill Realization .  Conviction will take deeper roots .  Then ?  One in such a state can enjoy the Bliss of day - to - day living, better than that , moment - to - moment living .  He will enjoy the bliss of getting engrossed in action , just action and nothing else .  or being Anaashritah in KarmaPhala state ...  Now, this Bliss is not Fruit of action .  It is our True Self !!!