People who have studied the Srimad Bhagavad Gita understand that it is attachment that gives rise to negative feelings such as sadness, dejection, anger, jealousy, hatred, etc. Being attached to the results of one’s work, affects one’s concentration and efficiency. It also causes tremendous pain to people when they don’t succeed in achieving their goal.
One of the Margas or paths that one can take in order to attain the ultimate goal is the Karma Marga or the path of rightful action with no attachment to the results of one’s work. This is a sure way to maintain mental balance even in the most difficult of situations.
Bhagavan Krishna explained to Arjuna about the importance of being a Karmayogi and also taught him the way to become one.
Many people who don’t understand Karmayoga ask, “How can one do work without thinking of the end or aiming at the result?” Such a question is the result of not following carefully Krishna’s Teachings Who says that a ‘doer’ must certainly be fully focused on their target!
SBG 2:41
“In this path, O Arjuna, there is a single point of focus and determination. The thoughts of the undecided are branched and are infinite.”
However, being attached to the results of one’s work, leads a person to lose focus and start thinking of all the benefits one would get on attaining success. Instead of concentrating on the work in hand, they begin dreaming of things that they would gain if they succeeded, and worry about the troubles they would face if they lost, when both scenarios don’t even exist. This not only dilutes their focus, but it also ruins the quality of their work and pushes them towards mediocrity.
I have made this 17 minute video on Karmayoga and “Doership” which I hope will help people better understand one of the most important Dharmic principles of performing work to the best of one’s ability but with no attachments, whatsoever, to its results.
May everyone stay blessed.
Jai Shri Krishna
TVM Gita Samiti 