Monday 8 August 2011

AKARM OR KARMAYOG



Akarm or karmyog is that where we engage in devotion with the mind, and simultaneously do karm with the body. Shree Krishn described to Arjun this very karmyog in the Bhagavad Geeta. He explained that karm or performance of duty would result in the attainment of heaven or earthly opulences. Vikarm or non-performance of duty would result in hell. So if Arjun ran away from his duty, and did not fight the war, it would be considered as vikarm; and if Arjun performed his duty and fought the war, it would be considered as karm. Shree Krishn asked Arjun to do neither karm nor vikarm. Instead, he should engage in karmyog:
“Tasmat sarveshu kaleshu mamanusmara yudhya cha”
“Keep your mind constantly attached to me and simultaneously engage in karm.” Thus, in akarm or karmyog, one does devotion with the mind, and the prescribed duties of the scriptures with the body. The fruit of devotion is God-realization, which also means liberation from material bondage and the attainment of Supreme Bliss. In karmyog, the karm that is performed bears no fruit, since it is done with detachment. Only that karm which is performed with attachment of the mind has a karmic reaction. When the mind is fixed on God, naturally it is not attached to the work being done. Hence, such work is no longer binding i.e. it is free from any karmic reactions. Thus, karmyog is highly recommended.

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