Worldly Dependencies – In Gita Verse 4.20 Abandoning all attachment to the results of his activities, ever satisfied and independent, he performs no fruitive action, although engaged in all kinds of undertakings.
In the realm of spiritual wisdom, the Bhagavad Gita offers profound insights into the nature of action and detachment. Verse 4.20 speaks of a state where one abandons attachment to the outcomes of their actions, finding satisfaction and independence in the divine. This verse invites us to explore the concept of non-attachment and its implications for living a fulfilled life.
A person who has transcended worldly dependencies finds joy not in external achievements but in the supreme bliss of union with the divine. This joy is not contingent upon worldly successes or the validation of others. It is a joy that arises from within, independent of external circumstances. Such a person remains content and serene, untouched by the transient nature of worldly happiness.
Consider the mystic Ramakrishna, who danced in ecstasy without any worldly reason. His joy was not derived from material gains or societal approval but was a spontaneous expression of his inner connection with the divine. Similarly, the poet-saint Kabir experienced profound ecstasy that could not be explained by worldly logic. Their joy was a testament to the divine source of true happiness, which is eternal and unchanging, unlike the fleeting pleasures of the world.
Worldly happiness is often conditional, dependent on external events and achievements. It is like a leaf swaying in the wind, constantly changing and never stable. The transient nature of the world means that any happiness derived from it is equally fleeting. Just as spring arrives and departs swiftly, so too does worldly joy come and go, leaving us in a perpetual cycle of desire and dissatisfaction.
Krishna’s teachings remind us that true joy is not dependent on the world. It is an unconditional, self-sustaining state of being that arises from our connection with the divine. This joy is not subject to the whims of the external world and remains constant, like an eternal spring that flows from within. Such joy is independent of circumstances and is rooted in the eternal nature of the divine.
The story of the gopīs and Sage Durvasa illustrates this concept beautifully. In the Puranas, a captivating tale unfolds with the gopīs of Vrindavan, who once observed a fast requiring them to feed a sage. Shree Krishna suggested they offer a meal to Sage Durvasa, residing across the turbulent River Yamuna. Despite the reluctance of boatmen, Krishna advised the gopīs to request the river to part by declaring Krishna as an akhaṇḍ brahmacharī. To their amazement, the river complied, forming a floral bridge.
Upon reaching Sage Durvasa, the gopīs presented their feast. Initially consuming only a small portion, Durvasa used his mystic powers to devour the entire meal, much to the gopīs’ delight. When seeking his help to return, Durvasa instructed them to tell the river he had eaten nothing but doob grass. Astonishingly, the river parted once more.
Shree Krishna later revealed that divine beings, though appearing active, remain internally detached. Thus, Krishna maintained celibacy, and Durvasa’s essence remained untouched by the feast, embodying inaction amid action.
Gorakhnath’s teachings further elucidate this idea. He encourages us to release our attachments, recognising them as illusions. By letting go of these attachments, we free ourselves from the bondage of worldly desires and attain a state of true liberation. This detachment is not about renouncing the world but about awakening to the reality that our attachments are the source of our suffering.
The act of letting go is not an escape but a conscious choice to live with awareness. It is about recognising the impermanence of worldly pleasures and choosing to anchor ourselves in the eternal. In this state, we perform our duties without pride or ego, understanding that true success lies not in external achievements but in our inner state of being.
Krishna’s message to Arjuna is a call to relinquish all attachments, including those to the self. By doing so, we transcend the dualities of success and failure, joy and sorrow. We become non-doers even while engaged in action, living in harmony with the divine will. This state of being is not about inactivity but about performing our duties with a sense of detachment and surrender to the divine.
The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, alongside the wisdom of saints like Ramakrishna, Kabir, and Gorakhnath, guide us towards a life of true freedom and joy. By embracing detachment and recognising the divine source of our happiness, we can navigate the world with grace and equanimity, finding fulfilment in every moment.
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