A proper attitude to work and to one’s profession can
convert work into a potent tool for effecting the purification of the mind.
Sri Krishna emphasizes this in a series of graded disciplines
for spiritual life: ‘Fix your mind on Me,may your intellect dwell on Me.
Undoubtedly, you will live in Me on giving up the body. In case you are not
able to fix your mind on Me, desire to attain Me through abhyasa yoga (the yoga
of steadfast practice). If you are unable to do this either, be intent on
working for My sake. Working for Me, you will attain perfection. If you cannot
thus work for My sake resorting to yoga, renounce the fruits of all your actions,
being self-controlled.’
So, performing one’s action with a view to pleasing God is a
basic discipline every seeker is taught to practise. How is one to surrender the
fruits of one’s actions to God? By taking refuge in the primeval Purusa (God) from
whom have originated activities from time immemorial!
Sri Krishna emphasizes the efficacy of adoration of God
through one’s work in the 18th chapter of the Gita: ‘From whom is the evolution
of all beings, by whom is everything pervaded – by adoring Him through one’s work,
a human being achieves perfection.’
Source – Prabuddha Bharata Editorial January 2002