K for Karm

The Bhagavad Gita is a treasure trove of knowledge - all that you need to be is an inquisitive student, because only when the student is ready, the master appears! Join me this month in the 'April A to Z challenge,' as I take you through selected verses of this monumental scripture, and try to decipher the amazing lessons it has in store for us.     

    

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Read J for Judge Well here.

 

Translation

Karm here does not refer to results of our actions. Here it refers to work. The result of our actions is karma. 

Krishna says that work is of three types – karm (action), akarm (inaction) and vikarm (forbidden action). We must be aware of all three to understand what karma (result of our action) we will accumulate.

Karm is auspicious action, recommended by the scriptures. These actions purify our mind and senses. They bring good karma or results.

Vikarm, on the other hand, is inauspicious action prohibited by the scriptures. They are detrimental to our spiritual growth. They bring bad karma.

Akarm is the action performed for the pleasure of God, without any attachment to results. They have no karma attached and lead to liberation. Akarm or inaction should not be misunderstood as not performing any action. It simply means performing the action as expected, yet dedicating the fruits to Krishna – Sarvam Shri Krishnarpam Astu.

 

There is another very famous verse in the Gita –

Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana,

Ma Karma phala hetur bhur ma Te Sangostv akarmani

Here too, it is specified that you have the right to action (Karmanya eva adhikarah te) but not to the fruits of actions (ma phaleshu kadachana)

When we give up the fruits of our action, Krishna blesses us with much more than we could ever have asked for.

 

The story of Samudra Manthan.

The demigods had been cursed by Durvasa Muni and as a result they kept losing to the Asuras, the demons. Guided by Lord Brahma, the demigods prayed to Maha Vishnu.

Lord Brahma said, ‘People perform actions expecting great results yet their hard work results in frustration. But the one who has dedicated all his actions to the Supreme, gets results that far exceeds his endeavours.’    

Churning the Ocean of Milk.

Maha Vishnu in his form as Ajita, the unconquerable, advised the demigods to make a peace proposal to the demons. They were to formulate a truce, and churn the Ocean of Milk together. Vasuki, the biggest serpent served as the rope, the Mandara mountain served as the churning rod. To keep the mountain from slipping, Vishnu himself took the form of a tortoise – the ‘Kurma avatara’ and held up the mountain.

The Lord cautioned the demigods to work hard to churn the ocean but not be captivated by the bountiful things that would emerge from it.

What emerged from the churning?

The first to emerge was the halahala or kālakūṭa poison. This was followed by a wish yielding cow (Surabhi), a celestial horse (Uccaihsrava), a celestial elephant (Airavata), Kaustubha gem, Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, and finally Dhanvantari (a manifestation of Lord Vishnu himself). Dhavantari carried a pot of nectar, but the demons snatched it immediately and ran away with it.

Mohini tricks the demons.

 Vishnu took the Mohini avatara – the most beautiful woman in the universe – and offered to distribute it to the demons herself. The demons were so captivated by her beauty that they could not refuse. However, she tricked the demons and distributed the nectar to the demigods making them immortal. 

Shri Krishna arpanam – all fruits surrendered to him.

Both, the demons and demigods had work hard to achieve the same result. But the demons performed the actions for their personal gratification while the demigods performed the same action for the Lord’s satisfaction. The Lord not only protected them from all difficulties (the poison – halahala), but also bestowed them with results they could never expect (the nectar).