Live Fully – In Gita Verse 4.15 All the liberated souls in ancient times acted with this understanding of My transcendental nature. Therefore you should perform your duty, following in their footsteps.
In Verse 4.15 of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna delivers a profound teaching to Arjuna, advising him to fulfil his duties with detachment from the outcomes of his actions. This teaching is not merely theoretical; it has been practised by the liberated souls of the past, who acted with an understanding of Krishna’s transcendental nature. Krishna emphasises that even those who have attained liberation have performed their actions in this manner. Therefore, Arjuna is encouraged to follow in their footsteps, performing his duties without ego or desire for the outcomes.
Krishna’s message is clear: one must act without becoming entangled in the notion of being the ‘doer’. This concept is exemplified by figures such as Janak, who is mentioned in earlier teachings. Janak and others like him acted with detachment, free from ego. Krishna reiterates this to remind us that the desire for the fruits of our actions often drives us. When we claim to have no such desires, we tend to slip into inaction, mistaking it for enlightenment. This leads to two common misconceptions: that action is only worthwhile if it yields results, or that renouncing action altogether is a path to liberation.
Krishna challenges these notions by presenting a third way: perform your duties and renounce the desire for their fruits. This path is subtle yet transformative. It requires a shift in consciousness, where one remains active but detached from the outcomes. Renouncing actions with the hope of gaining something is as futile as performing actions solely for results. True merit lies in performing one’s duties without attachment, a practice that transforms the mind and spirit.
Krishna reassures Arjuna that this approach has been tried and tested by those who have walked the path before him. It is not a new or uncharted territory but a well-trodden path of wisdom. The essence of this teaching is to remain engaged in life while transcending the ego and the false sense of self. This is the essence of true sannyas: to live without the burden of the doer, to be ego-free, and to continue one’s work with a sense of detachment.
Krishna further explains that the essence of life is in its flow, not in stagnation. Those who have acted with this awareness have experienced a state of being akin to Krishna himself. Their actions are infused with the freshness of the present moment, devoid of any expectation of rewards. This watchfulness, this witnessing, is the secret to a life of spirituality and enlightenment. It is about transcending dualities, witnessing both joy and sorrow without becoming attached to either.
Buddha’s middle path, the MAJJHIM NIKAYA, echoes this sentiment. It is about finding the balance between opposites, transcending them to reach a state of higher consciousness. Transcendence is not about repression but about naturally rising above, like a seed breaking through the soil to become a sprout. It is an organic process that unfolds as one lives fully and authentically.
Living fully means embracing all aspects of life without inhibition. It is about experiencing life deeply, allowing transcendence to occur naturally. This approach is not about forcefully trying to transcend but about allowing it to happen through lived experiences. When one lives life fully, without condemnation or interference, transcendence becomes a natural outcome.
Krishna’s teachings suggest that true enlightenment is not about accumulating knowledge but about transcending it. It is about going beyond the confines of knowing to a state of pure being. The ancient Rishis understood this, living their lives fully and embracing all experiences. Krishna’s message to Arjuna is to engage in the present moment, to fight the battle before him with full awareness, and to perform his duties without attachment to the results.
In this verse, Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita present an enduring guide for leading a life imbued with purpose and detachment. By following the example of the liberated souls of the past, we can learn to perform our duties with a sense of freedom, transcending the ego and the desire for the fruits of our actions. This path leads to a deeper understanding of our transcendental nature and ultimately to enlightenment.
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