It is
quite natural for the mind to inquire:
It is
important to be inquisitive as to who amongst the
followers of truth are considered true seekers – those
who devotedly believe the intellectually oriented and
depend just on the unraveled truths
or
those who painstakingly try to understand the secrets of
nature by studying with utmost dedication and
concentration on the initially intangible concepts?
Concepts can be represented in abstract notations as
well as in physical forms. There are those who try and
understand the concepts using the abstract notations and
there are others who are not capable of doing so and
therefore study the physical representations without
worrying too much about abstract notations. Who will
understand the concepts better – the thinker or the
doer?
The rational Intelligence would immediately respond
with:
The answer is that those who devotedly put to use the
results do indeed easily attain the results. But those
who carefully research upon and carry out inquiries on
the intangible and make it tangible and useful for the
welfare of humanity would also benefit by their actions.
A
careful logical analysis would then throw more details…
Not
all people are blessed with the ability to work with
abstract concepts. It requires utmost dedication and
concentration to succeed. But is is easier to have full
faith in the results of abstract analysis and devotedly
pursue the actions. If we act with single minded
dedication and concentration the intricacies of the
results of abstract analysis can be better appreciated.
With such understanding one can easily get over the
see-saw battle of dejection and optimism.
The rational intellect is always influenced
by the body and the mind in various ways. Hence it is a
difficult task to obtain the levels of
Body-Mind-Intellect union needed to contemplate on
abstract concepts and theories, for the average man.
Normally, wavering faith in anything results in our
being alternatively optimistic and pessimistic of what
is in store for us. This mental condition can make the
average human being get stuck in limiting actions which
amounts to vegetable existence akin to death. No
progress is made. But those who faithfully engage in
conscientious actions they will very soon start reaping
the benefit of their actions. They will thus be able to
easily escape the cycle of dejection and despair that
torments the wavering minds
The
pinnacle of intellectual attainment is best attained
when there is an absolute understanding of the concepts
under study i.e. when the student and the studied are in
perfect synch. For those who find it difficult to attain
such levels of contemplation at initial attempts it can
be obtained through constant practice. If such
intellectual efforts are out of your bounds then you can
engage yourself in the application of the concepts. By
constantly engaging in doing practical work one can
easily understand the underlying concepts. If you are
even incapable of performing such constructive work,
then you can at least engage in doing sincere labor
without worrying for the fruits thereof, which might
intrude on your capacity to do quality work.
This is a very scientific treatise on the concept of
division of labor as well as the techniques of and
levels of activities that human beings should be engaged
in. As a researcher you should be
focused
on unraveling the secrets of nature. The rational
intelligence needs to get to be in absolute
synchronization
with the mind and body. Only such
concentrated and attuned effort can bring
results. Not all are such blessed. Some others are
capable of
applying
the knowledge handed over and put it in practice. The
doers are also thus able to understand the secrets of
nature. Constant practice is necessary to
attain expertise. For the others who are not capable of
doing that, they can easily engage themselves in
contributing their mite by
performing selfless work. While
doing such work they should be least bothered by the
results of their actions. The unduly concerned worker
often cannot put his best effort thereby reducing his
own efficiency. The mental agitations caused by the
anxiety and tension of anticipated results will often
subdue the performance.
Merely carrying out ritualistic work – work for work
sake – will not get anywhere unless appropriate
knowledge of what is being done is gained. Hence
Knowledge is superior to ‘dogged’ work! Just having
knowledge is also not enough. Introspection on the
knowledge gained from books helps is assimilating it.
Engaging in work with a full perspective and not
worrying about the results of actions performed is
better then even contemplated knowledge. Such actions
will never upset the mental equipoise. One will be
satisfied and at peace.
This theorem is not just applicable to the seekers of
self-knowledge or the knowledge of the Brahman. If we
look at it from a material point of view also we will
come to realise that this statement describes a process
to unleash the true potential of people.
Ritualistic practice of dogmas without assimilating the
true import of the meaning of postulates often leads to
extremism. This results in agitations and unrest and
peace is the first casualty. Therefore it is imperative
that proper knowledge is acquired. The true significance
of attained knowledge is gathered on contemplation and
wisdom dawns. Wisdom obtained through such contemplation
is definitely superior to mere knowledge. A wise man
will never be concerned unduly about the results of his
actions in the sense that
his
motivation will normally be the welfare of the society
rather than personal gains. He also would not be unduly
concerned about the reactions from his actions because
he is carrying out his work with the full conviction
that what he is doing is right and that he does not have
any selfish motives. When such is the case he will be at
peace with himself, being true to his conscience.
This is applicable to even students. Rote learning and
doing are not good. One need to
understand
the fundamental principles, contemplate on those
to
assimilate
the knowledge. Then the student need not have to unduly
worry about the examinations and the results thereof.
With the
confidence
that he has fully understood the fundamentals the
anxieties and fears of the tests that he has to
undertake need not agitate him. This paves the way for a
clear mind
(peaceful mind) and the results would speak for it.
No
hatred for anyone; friendly and compassionate; free of
ego; balanced mind and forgiving- Always content; firmly
resolved; intellect and mind are engaged constantly in
seeking knowledge- Do not agitate others and are not
agitated by others; free from extremes of emotions like
joy, envy, fear and anxiety- Free from desires; pure,
wise, impartial; have got rid of all fears of beginners
being always engrossed and devoted to truth- Not pulled
by extremes of emotional behaviour, no likes or
dislikes, not carried away by the good or the evil and
always wedded to truth- The list of qualities of people
who are wedded to their commitment to conscience are
thus described.
The
qualities continue…- no distinction between friend and
foe; honor and disgrace; heat and cold; pleasure and
pain; not attached to anything- indifferent to censure
and praise; content always and not attached to any
place; equanimous and faithful always.
Those who such faith and commitment and try rigorously
to imbibe these immortal value they will definitely
attain the true knowledge.
Summary: There is no shortcut to success!
The
contention here is that behind every successful
personality is the story of fortitude, dedication and
devotion to what he is doing. He is passionate about
what he does. Once there is passion in what you are
doing you tend to forget all negative influences and
factors. One will then be so engrossed in his pursuits
that the very best always comes out of him. As mentioned
in the initial part (12 stanzas) there are many ways to
achieving devoted union with ones actions and pursuits.
Once that kind of a intellectual, mental and bodily
equilibrium is achieved it is difficult to get swayed by
the sway of emotions. He will be internally and
externally maintaining an equipoise that will be a
further catalyst for his onward and successful march.
As can be easily inferred, it is a very difficult
proposition to achieve all these magnificent qualities
but an earnest attempt at refining our attitudes and
approach to life will take us a long way. As a human
being and a rational one at that, only we can attempt to
achieve these lofty goals.
The
inner energy within all of us has tremendous potential.
It is has no limits whatsoever. But it is influenced by
the Ego, Intellect, Mind and the Body and thus puts
limiting thresholds in its unfolding process. It is
therefore common for man to get stuck at limiting
performance levels. But with a supreme sense of
confidence and faith in the conscious energy that is
within, if one engages in his day-to-day activities and
be true to his conscience then one can achieve
success sooner than later. One who is true to his
conscience will naturally exhibit various personality
characteristics that are listed exhaustively in this
chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.