Ultimate Aloneness – In Gita Verse 18.6 All these activities should be performed without attachment or any expectation of result. They should be performed as a matter of duty, O son of Pṛthā. That is My final opinion.
In Bhagavad Gita Verse 18.6, Krishna articulates his firm opinion that all noble deeds, including sacrifices, donations, and penances, should be performed without attachment or any expectation of results. These actions should be carried out as a matter of duty, reflecting a profound balance between material and spiritual worlds.
There is no need to abandon activities such as yagya (sacrifice), charity, and penance. He advocates for a harmonious existence that acknowledges the importance of both the material and the spiritual realms. This balance is crucial, as typically, those who favour the spiritual world often disregard the material world, and vice versa. Krishna, however, embodies both perspectives, advocating for a respectful integration of matter and spirit.
One should not flee from their worldly duties. Running away from responsibilities is futile because actions are inherent to life itself. Every act, even the act of renunciation, is a form of karma. Therefore, one cannot escape karma by merely abandoning actions. Instead, Krishna advises that all actions should be performed as a yagya, for the benefit of others, without selfish motives. This approach ensures that one’s efforts are altruistic and purifying.
Noble deeds should be performed without seeking recognition or rewards. For instance, when serving others, one should not seek gratitude. When performing penance, one should not expect divine rewards. The joy of giving and the intrinsic satisfaction of the deed should be the only rewards. This principle is epitomised in the concept of secret donation, where the giver remains anonymous, ensuring the purity of the act.
Krishna’s philosophy does not advocate for the renunciation of work, but rather for the renunciation of the desire for the fruits of work. This level of detachment can only be achieved by individuals who have attained significant spiritual maturity. A tamasic person, characterised by lethargy and ignorance, is unable to relinquish the desire for results. Similarly, a rajasic person, driven by restlessness and an incessant need for activity, cannot achieve this state either. In contrast, a person with a balanced disposition, who comprehends the intrinsic value of both work and rest, is capable of performing actions without attachment.
This balanced individual does only what is necessary, maintaining equilibrium between effort and relaxation. Such a person can relinquish ego because the absence of desire for future results dissolves the ego. Ego thrives on future aspirations and past achievements, but in the present moment, it ceases to exist. Thus, living in the present, without attachment to future outcomes, leads to egoless existence.
Krishna consistently underscores to Arjuna the importance of performing one’s duties as an instrument of the divine, devoid of personal desires. This philosophy is in harmony with the core principles of yoga, wherein the means become the end, and each moment transforms into a complete experience. Additionally, Krishna elucidates that ultimate freedom lies in the endeavour to understand the secret of total loneliness without succumbing to feelings of loneliness.
The significance of executing all duties and noble deeds without attachment or expectation of results. This practice aligns with one’s true nature and ultimate aloneness, cultivating a prayerful mindset that fosters a connection with divine support and harmonises with the universe. By adopting this approach, actions are carried out with love and surrender, ultimately leading to spiritual fulfilment.
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