Work is Worship, so perform Nishkama Karma

Life is dull without work. A man who is lazy can achieve nothing in life. Laziness and dullness are the curses of life. The whole civilization of man has evolved itself only through hard work. All the inventions and discoveries of science are the result of hard work only. We must think and understand that God has sent us with some purpose into this world and that purpose must be useful and wholesome for society.

The motto `work is worship' is the very basis of all religions. Whatever may be the sphere of activity of a person, he is expected to discharge his obligations to the best of his ability, honestly, diligently, and with a dedication to God. Every act should be governed by absolute honesty. Everybody must be aware that God is in our heart and he is closely watching our attitude whether the work is carried out with honesty or with corrupt motive and attempt to cheat others. If this righteous conduct is maintained in day-to-day activities, there will be no imbalance in life.

Karma Yoga (The laws of Action) in Bhagavad-Gita speaks about this. The work shall be performed with no unnecessary attachment to the results, but people should not resort to inaction and the work shall be done for the sake of work alone. If this concept is understood well, people stop being corrupt, people stop being lazy and people stop being victims. Everyone shall work to do it in the best way possible. That is why Lord Krishna explains about Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of Devotion), Jnana Yoga (Yoga of Wisdom/Knowledge), and Karma Yoga (Yoga of action). Yoga in general stands for 'Union'. The Yoga postures and aerobics as marketed today are just a part of the whole gamut of Yoga.

Devotion helps us in understanding Nature and God and to be happy with the way things are in this world. Jnana helps in understanding the way things work in this world and beyond, and Karma done by a person uses both Bhakti and Jnana knowingly or unknowingly.

With Devotion, a person knows what to do. With Jnana, a person knows why and how to do a job. And doing the work with no undue attachment is the actual Karma which yields no unwanted karmic impressions or samskaras.

Such deep and total involvement in his work, with righteousness, is termed Dharma. Adoption of this conduct by everyone in their work will pave the way for well-balanced existence. Great people worship their work first and anything else afterward. Let us all be dedicated to the cause of our Country.