Is man doomed to swing like a pendulum betwixt a smile and a tear (happiness and misery? The first lesson we must learn in this connection is that desires can never be satisfied by their enjoyment. With the attainment of one object of our desire our aspiration rises to another. The acquisition of one object only begets a thirst for more. As long as one yearning of our heart remains unfulfilled, we can never be happy. The truth that desire is the cause of suffering is as old as the world. Prince Siddhartha, the Buddha, discovered this under the memorable Bo-tree centuries ago. Thousands of our forefathers, who before us crossed through life’s stormy main and buffeted its waves of pain and misery, learnt this lesson. But it never comes home to us unless we ourselves taste of the bitter cup.
The only way to escape from the pendulum of happiness and misery is not to cease from performing action but to do one’s duty without attachment and without desire for its fruits. It is this which makes the true yogi: ‘Arjuna, shaking off attachment and being the same in success and failure, do thy work, established in yoga. Preservation of the equanimity of mind is called yoga.’ (Bhagavad Gita, 2.48)
Everything of the universe must be covered with Brahman or Bhagavan (God); thus giving up the attachment to transitory things, live and enjoy your life, but do not covet anything of the world. — Ishavasya Upanishad.
Source – Excerpts from Prabuddha Bharata Magazine December 1903 – article titled ‘The Way To Avoid Misery’.
Additional Explanation And Further Teachings:
The verse from the Bhagavad Gita (2.48) is a profound teaching that holds deep philosophical, ethical, and spiritual significance. It outlines a central tenet of the path of karma yoga, the yoga of action, which emphasizes performing one’s duty with equanimity, free from attachment and desire for the fruits of action. Let's delve deeper into the various aspects of this teaching, exploring its meaning, symbolism, importance, and relevance in modern life.
1. Meaning and Interpretation:
- The verse urges Arjuna to do his duty (dharma) without attachment to the results, maintaining equanimity in success and failure.
- The "pendulum of happiness and misery" refers to the dualities of life that humans constantly experience: pleasure and pain, success and failure, gain and loss. This pendulum keeps people trapped in a cycle of suffering as they chase after transient rewards.
- Krishna advises that true peace and liberation come from acting without attachment or selfish desire, which frees one from the turbulence of the emotional highs and lows that accompany attachment.
- The phrase "established in yoga" signifies union with the divine or the higher Self. Here, yoga refers to a mental state of balance and harmony where one’s actions are aligned with higher principles, not swayed by personal gain or ego.
2. Symbolism:
- Pendulum: The pendulum represents the oscillation of the mind between extremes, which symbolizes human desires and aversions. Only by stilling this pendulum can one achieve a state of inner calm.
- Yoga: In this context, yoga symbolizes balance, control, and alignment of the mind with spiritual truths. It’s not just a physical practice but a mental and emotional discipline of detachment from worldly outcomes.
- Arjuna: Arjuna represents the everyman, the seeker who struggles with moral dilemmas, confusion, and attachment. Krishna’s guidance is universal, extending to anyone seeking clarity and peace in life.
3. Importance in the Context of the Bhagavad Gita:
- The Bhagavad Gita is fundamentally a dialogue on how to live a meaningful and ethical life while facing the inevitable challenges of human existence. The teaching of nishkama karma (desireless action) is central to this.
- This verse teaches the principle of "detached action," which is essential for spiritual growth. It allows one to engage in the world while remaining spiritually free.
- This philosophy also touches upon renunciation, not of action itself, but of the ego’s attachment to the results of action. It suggests that true freedom comes from the mind, not from external circumstances.
4. Modern-Day Relevance and Practicality:
In today's fast-paced, goal-driven world, this teaching has profound relevance:
- Work-life balance: People often measure their worth by external success—job titles, salary, material possessions. The Bhagavad Gita advises us to focus on the quality of our work, not the outcome. This reduces stress and burnout, as we are no longer overly fixated on results beyond our control.
- Dealing with failure: In modern society, failure is often stigmatized. This teaching encourages us to view failure and success with the same calmness, as both are temporary and external.
- Mental health and equanimity: The concept of equanimity can be a powerful tool for mental health. It helps in managing anxiety, stress, and depression by cultivating a mindset that is not overly reactive to life’s ups and downs.
- Leadership and productivity: Leaders who adopt this mindset can perform their duties with greater focus, without the constant pressure of outcome-driven anxiety. This creates a more sustainable and effective approach to decision-making and leadership.
5. Similar Thoughts in Hinduism:
- Sankhya Yoga: In Sankhya philosophy, detachment from the material world is a key principle. It teaches that true wisdom comes from understanding the impermanence of worldly phenomena and focusing on the Purusha (spirit).
- Jnana Yoga: In the path of knowledge, or Jnana Yoga, wisdom comes from realizing that the self is beyond the physical body and mind, and thus detached from worldly desires and outcomes.
- Bhakti Yoga: Even in the path of devotion, detachment is emphasized. The true devotee offers all actions to God, seeking nothing in return.
- Upanishads: The Isha Upanishad echoes similar sentiments: "Perform your duties, but detach yourself from the outcome." This Upanishadic teaching stresses that the divine pervades everything, and attachment to material outcomes only leads to suffering.
6. Parallels in Other Cultures and Philosophies:
- Stoicism (Greece/Rome): Stoic philosophy, especially the teachings of Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, also advocates for detachment from outcomes. They emphasize controlling what one can (one’s own actions and reactions) while remaining indifferent to what one cannot control (external events).
- Taoism (China): Taoist thought, particularly in the Tao Te Ching, promotes the idea of "wu wei" or "non-doing," which is acting in alignment with the natural flow of the universe without forceful effort or attachment to results.
- Buddhism: In Buddhism, attachment is viewed as the root of suffering (dukkha). The Noble Eightfold Path encourages right action without attachment to desires, paralleling the idea of performing one's duty with equanimity.
7. Benefits of Living This Philosophy:
- Inner Peace: By letting go of attachment to outcomes, one is not constantly thrown into turmoil by success or failure, leading to a more peaceful mind.
- Resilience: It fosters resilience, as individuals are not easily disheartened by failure nor overly inflated by success.
- Improved Relationships: By acting without selfish motives, personal relationships become more harmonious, as expectations and disappointments are minimized.
- Spiritual Growth: This practice aligns with the ultimate goal of self-realization, as it reduces the ego’s hold and helps one transcend material concerns.
- Focus and Concentration: Detachment allows one to focus more deeply on the task at hand, as the mind is not distracted by future anxieties or past regrets.
8. Challenges and Practical Implementation:
- Difficulties in Modern Life: While the philosophy is sound, practicing detachment can be challenging in a society that places immense value on results and external achievements. Balancing ambition and spiritual detachment can seem paradoxical.
- Mindfulness Practices: Practical tools like mindfulness meditation, journaling, and self-reflection can help cultivate the inner discipline necessary to detach from outcomes while still performing one's duties with excellence.
- Reframing Success: Redefining success from a spiritual perspective—focusing on personal growth, contribution, and ethical living—can make this philosophy more accessible in everyday life.
The teaching of karma yoga in Bhagavad Gita 2.48 is a timeless and transformative philosophy. It offers a way out of the constant fluctuations of pleasure and pain by teaching us to perform our duties with focus, integrity, and love, but without the shackles of expectation and attachment. In doing so, we can cultivate equanimity and inner freedom, even amidst the challenges of modern life.