Causeless Act – In Gita Verse 3.18 A self-realised man has no purpose to fulfil in the discharge of his prescribed duties, nor has he any reason not to perform such work. Nor has he any need to depend on any other living being.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Verse 3.18, it is stated that a self-realised individual has no purpose to fulfil in the discharge of their prescribed duties, nor do they have any reason to abstain from such work. Furthermore, they do not need to depend on any other living being. This profound insight emphasises the state of a self-realised person who performs actions solely for the welfare of others without any selfish motives.
Krishna conveys this message to Arjuna to highlight that Arjuna is not yet in a position where he can renounce his duties and become a Sanyasi. Arjuna is not at a stage in life where renunciation will bear fruit or where he can be free from actions. At this juncture, there is no equality between action and inaction for him. Choosing inaction would still be a choice, indicating the presence of desire. Krishna explains that a time will come in the flow of life when action and inaction become equal, devoid of choice and selection.
Krishna emphasises that Arjuna is a Kshatriya, a warrior by nature, and must fulfil his duties. This principle is part of the broader concept of Varna and Ashram, the significant contributions of this country’s wisdom to human life. These concepts suggest that one should live life according to their prescribed duties and stages of life. Eventually, a moment will come when action and inaction become equal, but this moment cannot be forced or hurried. It must come naturally through deep engagement with life.
Krishna uses the metaphor of a whirlpool to explain this concept. If one is caught in a whirlpool, fighting it will only exhaust them and increase the whirlpool’s relative strength. Instead, one should surrender to the whirlpool, allowing it to carry them to safety. Similarly, in life, one should flow with the natural order and not hurry. By patiently performing all tasks without considering oneself the doer, one reaches a state where action and inaction, success and failure, life and death, happiness and sorrow all become equal.
Self-realised individuals operate on the transcendental platform of the soul, engaging in activities that are in service of God. The duties prescribed for worldly people, in accordance with Varṇāśhram Dharma, do not apply to them. There is a distinction between karma (prescribed worldly duties) and bhakti (pure spiritual activities). While worldly duties are performed as an offering to God to purify the mind, self-realised souls are already absorbed in God and engage directly in spiritual activities such as meditation, worship, and service to the Guru. For them, rejecting worldly duties is not a sin, and they may choose to continue them if they wish, but they are not obligated to do so.
Krishna explains to Arjuna that a self-realised person acts without seeking the fruits of their actions. They do not look for any rewards from their deeds. This concept also touches upon the codependency pattern in relationships. In our lives, we often depend on others, living for others and losing connection with ourselves. Krishna teaches that every action has consequences, and unless we drop our desire for results, we cannot fully appreciate what the universe offers us.
Scientists, for example, conduct research without attachment to specific outcomes. They welcome results as new opportunities, demonstrating enthusiasm and openness. This lack of desire for specific outcomes allows science to progress rapidly. Similarly, individuals tethered to specific purposes in life struggle to understand Krishna’s teachings. Living with goals, purposes, and motives, even in love, we often seek something in return. Our actions are rarely unconditional or without motive.
To truly understand religion and God, one must perform actions without cause, reason, or motive, simply for the love and joy of doing them. Just as science discovers truths in the objective world, religion discovers truths in the inner world. Both fields require observation and awareness, experiment and experience, openness, and availability to reality without prejudice or belief.
Krishna also addresses codependency in relationships. Relationships, whether romantic, familial, or professional, often involve complicated dynamics. These dynamics can make even the healthiest individuals unrecognisable. The quality of our relationships reflects our emotional evolution. Harmonious relationships indicate alignment with our true selves, while ego-based relationships show codependent tendencies.
To overcome codependency, we must recognise and replace dysfunctional beliefs with healthier ones. By focusing on our natural emotions and embracing them, we begin to respect, accept, and love ourselves. This self-acceptance allows us to form intimate relationships with our own hearts, shifting our interactions away from fear-based dynamics.
Krishna advises Arjuna to focus on action without desire for specific results. By doing so, one can drop the need for recognition and acknowledgment, acting out of sheer joy and love. This approach helps overcome codependency, allowing actions to flow naturally from a place of joy and fulfilment.
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