Deivathin Kural Series - 98

Om Namah Sivaya.
Deivathin Kural # 98 of 13 Nov 2006.

1. These e-mails are translations of talks given by the erstwhile Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, over more than sixty years, published by Vanady Padippagam, T.Nagar, Chennai, India, in ten volumes, in the Tamil language. On line version of this book in Tamil is available at 'www.kamakoti.org'. The english version is likely to be available very soon. These e-mails are simply an effort on the part of the sender, to share some of his bliss, as it is said, 'Yam perra peru peruga ivvaiyagam'. When he adds any personal observations he uses the phrase, 'KTSV adds'.
2. To-days lecture is titled, 'Karma Yogam', in pages 461 to 464, in Volume 1 of Deivathin Kural, as the last part of a series of lectures under the Heading, 'Karma Margam', or 'The Path of Action', from pages 436 to 466. Unless specifically mentioned, he or man includes, she or woman.
3. Arjuna asks Sri Krishna, "Is it not a sin to kill relatives and friends?" For us, Arjuna's question seems quite reasonable. But Sri Krishna answers to the contrary. He says that, what looks seemingly as a cruel act, if carried out, for the benefit of the society, cannot be considered a sin! Then what is a sin and what is 'Punyam' ie.,the opposite of sin? Krishna Bhagawan says that, it is desire and hate, that pushes man in to sin. But all acts done without desire and hate, however cruel they may seem, is not sin, as long as the purpose is universal benefit.
4. How can cruel acts be done without desire and hate? When a Judge punishes a criminal, he is not to be guided by desire or hate. The punishment may seem harsh. The deciding factor is the severity of the offence committed. The purpose remains, welfare of the society and for the offender, as a correctional. Your own Son may run amuck. You may have restrain him, without incurring sin.
5. Sastras have tied us, with many rules and regulations. They are meant for the common and individual good. That is why, Sri Krishna has stressed that we should strictly follow the scriptures. "Tasmath sastram pramanam, sri karya akarya vyavastithou". Meaning that, 'Sastras are the authority in deciding what is to be done and what is not to be done.' Instead of following the dictates of one's own mind, Karma is to done as per the ruling of the Sastras.
6. Now a days, Bhagavat Gita is famous all over the world. Even those who do not know anything about our religious beliefs and rituals, quote Gita extensively. When Gita says that everyone should act as per his, 'swadharma', they interpret it in their own way. But what I have quoted above is quite clear. When there is no personal desire or hate, whatever the work, can be done with love. The cause of anger, desire and hate is 'ahankaram' or 'ego'. Once this is set aside, we could not care less, to find gradations between various types of work. We will simply do our part of the work, happily as our bit. Instead of feeling, 'I am doing this for myself', if we do it as an offering to God, without personal likes and dislikes, for the sake of humanity, there can be no problem. This work culture has been prevalent in our country, from the time of Vedas, since two thousand years before. That is 'Karma' Yoga', clearly, succinctly, given to us in Gita.
7. We should test ourselves with this touch-stone, in all that we do, every day. We should ask ourselves, "Is there in this work, any personal benefit, any desire, ulterior motive, or hatred or account to be settled?" If the answer is 'Yes', then that job is a sin. We must thus analyse all our actions. If we create work for ourselves, with the motive of, 'for me and my sake', many errors will creep in. When in doubt, go to Sastras, for reference. When 'Karma', is performed with clarity in the mind and love in the heart, there will be less competition, hate and conflicts. The whole world will be that much a better place.
Sambhomahadeva.