तस्मादसक्त: सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर |
असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुष: || 19||
tasmād asaktaḥ satataṁ kāryaṁ karma samāchara
asakto hyācharan karma param āpnoti pūruṣhaḥ
tasmāt—therefore; asaktaḥ—without attachment; satatam—constantly; kāryam—duty; karma—action; samāchara—perform; asaktaḥ—unattached; hi—certainly; ācharan—performing; karma—work; param—the Supreme; āpnoti—attains; pūruṣhaḥ—a person
Translation:
Therefore that work which should be done, do it well always without attachment. He who performs all the prescribed duties in a detached spirit will attain the Supreme.
Commentary:
Work should be done (1) without attachment and (2) as prescribed by the Sastras. Working in this way, the action becomes a means of liberation. So people should always perform Nishkama Karma. Detached work leads to the Supreme. Otherwise, it binds and becomes the cause of samsara. This is the secret of Karma yoga.
It is here explained how karma yoga along with other yogas leads to emancipation. By Nishkama Karma the mind is purified and then it ascends to the highest plane. Moksha is the purity of mind. Purity is attained by detached action.
Generally among seekers very few take to Jnana yoga or Dhyana yoga. Most people are naturally inclined to Karma yoga and Bhakti yoga. So the Lord lays special emphasis on Karma yoga as it is the natural path of evolution for the majority of mankind.
Swami Vivekananda Says —
To work without motive, to work unattached, brings the highest bliss and freedom. This secret of karma-yoga is taught by the Lord Shri Krishna in the Gita.[Source]
Disciple: But, sir, if one has to renounce the fruits of work, why should one be induced to undertake work which is always troublesome?
Swamiji: In this human life, one cannot help doing some kind of work always. When man has perforce to do some work, karma-yoga enjoins on him to do it in such a way as will bring freedom through the realization of the Atman.[Source]
We also read this in the Gita and learn that we have to work, constantly work with all our power; to put our whole mind in the work, whatever it be, that we are doing. At the same time, we must not be attached. That is to say, we must not be drawn away from work by anything else; still, we must be able to quit the work whenever we like.[Source]
That is the one cause of misery: we are attached, we are being caught. Therefore says the Gita: Work constantly; work, but be not attached; be not caught. Reserve unto yourself the power of detaching yourself from everything, however beloved, however much the soul might yearn for it, however great the pangs of misery you feel if you were going to leave it; still, reserve the power of leaving it whenever you want.[Source]
Sri Ramakrishna Says —
“You people speak of doing good to the world. Is the world such a small thing? And who are you, pray, to do good to the world? First realise God, see Him by means of spiritual discipline. If He imparts power, then you can do good to others; otherwise not.”
A BRAHMO DEVOTEE: “Then, sir, we must give up our activities until we realise God?”
MASTER: “No. Why should you? You must engage in such activities as contemplation, singing His praises, and other daily devotions.”
BRAHMO: “But what about our worldly duties — duties associated with our earning money, and so on?”
MASTER: “Yes, you can perform them too, but only as much as you need for your livelihood. At the same time, you must pray to God in solitude, with tears in your eyes, that you may be able to perform those duties in an unselfish manner. You should say to Him: ‘O God, make my worldly duties fewer and fewer; otherwise, O Lord, I find that I forget Thee when I am involved in too many activities. I may think I am doing unselfish work, but it turns out to be selfish.’ People who carry to excess the giving of alms, or the distributing of food among the poor, fall victims to the desire of acquiring name and fame.
….. Work is only a means to the realisation of God. Therefore I said to Sambhu, ‘Suppose God appears before you; then will you ask Him to build hospitals and dispensaries for you?’ (Laughter.) A lover of God never says that. He will rather say: ‘O Lord, give me a place at Thy Lotus Feet. Keep me always in Thy company. Give me sincere and pure love for Thee.’
“Karmayoga is very hard indeed. In the Kaliyuga it is extremely difficult to perform the rites enjoined in the scriptures. Nowadays man’s life is centred on food alone. He cannot perform many scriptural rites. Suppose a man is laid up with fever. If you attempt a slow cure with the old-fashioned indigenous remedies, before long his life may be snuffed out. He can’t stand much delay. Nowadays the drastic ‘D. Gupta’ (A patent fever medicine containing a strong dose of quinine.) mixture is appropriate. In the Kaliyuga the best way is bhaktiyoga, the path of devotion — singing the praises of the Lord, and prayer. The path of devotion alone is the religion for this age. (To the Brahmo devotees) Yours also is the path of devotion. Blessed you are indeed that you chant the name of Hari and sing the Divine Mother’s glories. I like your attitude. You don’t call the world a dream, like the non-dualists. You are not Brahmajnanis like them; you are bhaktas, lovers of God. That you speak of Him as a Person is also good. You are devotees. You will certainly realise Him if you call on Him with sincerity and earnestness.” (Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna)
Question: How should man perform work?
Answer: Man should act without attachment and according to the Sastras.
Question: What is the result of such work?
Answer: Moksha, the highest state of liberation is attained.
