Don’t Seek Approval – In Gita Verse 4.21 Such a man of understanding acts with mind and intelligence perfectly controlled, gives up all sense of proprietorship over his possessions and acts only for the bare necessities of life. Thus working, he is not affected by sinful reactions.
In the Bhagavad Gita Verse 4.21, Krishna imparts profound wisdom to Arjuna, emphasising the importance of living a life guided by necessity rather than desire. This teaching underscores the idea that when one acts with a clear mind, free from the shackles of material attachments and desires, one is not tainted by sinful actions. The essence of this philosophy is that when a person acts solely for what is necessary, without the interference of ego or expectation, they transcend the bondage of karma.
Consider a person who has mastered their inner world and relinquished all material pleasures. Such an individual does not commit sin even while performing physical actions. They have renounced hope, pride, and the need for validation from others. They perform actions required for the body, like eating when hungry or sleeping when tired, without becoming entangled in the consequences. This conscious approach to living ensures that actions do not bind them.
Great spiritual figures like Mahavir, Buddha, and Krishna lived their lives in this manner. They performed everyday actions like eating and dressing, but with a fundamental difference – they did so with complete awareness. When they ate, they simply ate, without the distraction of other thoughts or desires. This conscious eating liberates rather than binds, illustrating the profound difference between mindful and mindless actions.
An awakened person views bodily actions as necessary and performs them with full consciousness, avoiding the traps of karma. When we act with awareness, we use things rather than allowing them to use us. This distinction is crucial; actions that we feel compelled to do bind us, while those we choose freely do not. The food consumed with awareness does not bind, but the food eaten out of compulsion does. Similarly, sleep taken consciously liberates, while sleep that overtakes us binds.
The story of the Zen monk Bokoju illustrates this point beautifully. When asked about his spiritual practice, Bokoju replied that he simply sleeps when tired, eats when hungry, and fasts when not. This simplicity baffled the inquirer, who failed to grasp the depth of Bokoju’s practice. The miracle lies in the conscious execution of necessary actions, free from attachment and desire.
Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna highlight the importance of living in the present moment, focusing on needs rather than desires. In the midst of war, Krishna urges Arjuna to discern between what is necessary and what is driven by ego or attachment. He explains that desires are illusions, seeking approval from others is futile, and true fulfilment comes from within.
Krishna encourages Arjuna to drop these illusions and act from a place of understanding. By doing so, even the act of war can become creative rather than destructive. This transformation occurs when one fights without enmity, free from the desire for victory or fear of defeat. In this pure state, actions are performed with clarity and purpose, untainted by desire or attachment.
To illustrate this concept in everyday life, consider the act of eating. When we eat to satisfy the body’s needs, we enjoy the food without overeating. This is a need, not a desire. Conversely, eating purely for taste can lead to overindulgence, which is driven by desire and can be destructive. Understanding this distinction in routine life helps us grasp how even a war can be approached creatively.
Krishna’s message to Arjuna is to embrace this challenge and engage in the war with a creative mindset, fighting without enmity. By doing so, Arjuna can transform the war into an opportunity for self-discovery and growth, free from the burdens of desire and attachment. This approach not only liberates the individual but also brings a profound sense of peace and fulfilment, demonstrating the power of conscious living.
Tags: Don’t Seek Approval
