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Secret of action

CHENNAI : Human beings have an innate tendency to put themselves first in all that they do in their lives. Why can't man be self-effacing and act without selfishness? If we pause to consider the reason it will become apparent that it is not possible to act without being anchored in someone — a person will either be centred on the Almighty in all his actions or on himself. It is obvious that when one depends on God who is the abode of peace, bliss and intelligence it is good for him. If this is true of worldly actions, how about actions performed as service or for spiritual benefit? It is all the more necessary to be attuned to God in spiritual life for Swami Vivekananda used to say that he wanted to be a voice without a form — without any identity.

In his discourse, Swami Vimurtananda said there were four levels at which an individual performed actions. They are: out of desire, out of intelligence, prodded by destiny (Karma) and according to divine will. Only if a person understands at which level he is can he act rightly. In the case of devotees they do everything by submitting to God. Vivekananda used to advise his devotees to attain the state of `worklessness' through intense work. This is the secret of action according to Karma yoga. A great Yogi, for instance, by his very intense good thoughts protects the worldly people, because he does not do anything physically; yet his grace makes things happen.

If we observe nature one can see that all the elements (sun, moon, air and so on) function without any ulterior motive — for the sake of the Absolute. So also do the life forces in man function without his control and hence it is obvious that there is a supreme power guiding his actions and destiny. Besides, as long as man is dependent on external agencies there is no guarantee that he will be successful because they have limitations unlike God who is infinite.

The case of Draupadi is apt to illustrate why a devotee must place his faith in God. She was a princess who was married to five valiant husbands, the Pandavas, who were also princes. So she was a privileged woman who no one would dare to harm. Ironically she was humiliated in the royal assembly and it was after she transferred her faith to Lord Krishna realising no one would come to her rescue that her modesty was protected.

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