Karmanye vadhikaraste: Krishna's secret for true happiness

myNachiketa
1 day ago
3 min read

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।

मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥

Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana,

Ma karma phala hetur bhoor ma te sangostvakarmani. Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 47

This is one of the most popular Shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita. In this Shloka, Krishna says, You have the right to perform your duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Also, doing nothing is not an option. We must act. What does this mean? Let's understand.

Imagine you are on a grand adventure, standing on the edge of a vast jungle, prepared to explore its mysteries. But then, a sudden storm clouds your path, and you feel anxious and unsure of what to do next. This feeling is not unlike what we, like Arjuna, experience when faced with challenges. So, how do we stay calm in such unpredictable moments? Here is where the wise teachings of God Krishna come in!

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna shares this shloka with a message to perform your actions selflessly without thinking about the results. Krishna called this type of action, Nishkam Karm, actions performed without any desire. When we do our actions without

Let’s explore the meaning behind this beautiful saying:

Focus on your actions: Imagine you're playing a game, and all you can think about is winning. But what if, instead, you direct your energy towards playing your best? Krishna teaches us that while we should do our best, we shouldn’t be overly attached to the outcome.
Stay calm under pressure: Let's say you have an important exam. Instead of stressing about getting good grades, you can focus on studying hard and learning more. By focusing on your performance rather than the marks, you can keep calm and be happy with your results.
Enjoy the process: Think of a child painting with bright colours, fully absorbed in mixing shades and creating patterns. The child isn’t worried about whether the painting will win a prize or look perfect. They simply enjoy the act of painting. This is what it means to enjoy the process more than the results.

So, next time you feel overwhelmed by what might happen, remember Krishna's teachings, give your best and enjoy the process.

Let’s see how this can play out in real life with a little story!

Once upon a time in a small village, there lived a boy named Ravi. Passionate about singing, Ravi dreamed of singing before the King during a great festival. He practised every day and gave it his all. However, as the day approached, he began to worry whether the King would like his song.

A wise old woman saw his worry and told him, “Ravi, do not think about what the King might feel. Focus on your singing, enjoy it, and present your best!”

With her words in mind, Ravi sang beautifully at the festival, pouring his heart into each note. Rather than focusing on impressing the King, he was completely involved in the act of singing. He felt calm and happy!

To Ravi's surprise, the King loved his song! He received an award and was praised, but Ravi had already learned the true lesson of Krishna: the joy of performing itself was the greatest reward.

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Moral of the Story

In life, when faced with pressure to succeed, we should follow Krishna's guidance. Enjoy your actions, do not worry about what comes after, and you'll find peace within.

Conclusion

Krishna's teachings provide us with the right direction to walk through life's ups and downs with grace. By trusting in our efforts and staying committed to our actions, we can find peace and happiness even in hardship. So, let’s remember to embrace every moment, just as Krishna has shown us, and discover the happiness that lies in our journey!