First our actions are the outcome of gross selfishness. We want riches, name and power over others. But when we grow older and wiser we begin to realize that after all very little is gained. Our wealth, power and fame, some way or other, are not what we expected. These do not make us as happy as we had hoped they would. We are rich but are still miserable; fame has come to us, but it weighs on us rather like a burden. No, the secret of happiness must lie in a different direction. Then we discover that selfishness cannot make us happy. And perhaps we have noticed that we have been happy only in the few instances where we have brought joy to others. Then a light gleams in the horizon. Can it be true that by making others happy we become happy in return? And then, service as an ideal is introduced into our lives. And as we live our ideal, as service to others becomes a practical part of our life, happier and happier we become. But still, we shall meet with many disappointments, for the selfishness in us is still strong and we are looking for gratitude and recognition. And these we do not always meet with. We discern that something is still lacking as an element to secure happiness to us. And then the voice may be heard far away; faint, very faint, sounds that voice at first but gradually it gains in strength and volume and we hear distinctly a new message: ‘If you long for happiness, then care not for results. To work you have the right, but not to the fruits thereof.’ That is a great revelation. The secret has been revealed. ‘Renounce. Renounce, and peace, joy and fearlessness will be yours.’
That is the voice of the Spirit. The voice of the little self has called out, ‘Possess, take, gather up, wield power and command respect.’ The Spirit speaks, ‘Renounce, give, distribute, serve, honour others and work, but care not for results.’
But how can we work if we do not care for results? Where is the motive for work in that case? ‘Make Me your motive,’ says Bhagavan. ‘If you want results, good and well, but offer the results to Me. Do not hold them; do not be attached to them. Make it a practice to offer all to Me.’ That is the yoga of renunciation, which leads to freedom. All actions good and bad lose their binding effect when done as an offering to Me. We cannot live without doing acts all the time. Every act binds. Every act forges a new link in our chain of karma, unless it is done unselfishly, unless it is performed as a sacrifice, an offering, to Bhagavan.