BG Chapter 3 - Karma Yoga

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि || 47 ||

karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchanamā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi

You have choice over your action but not over the results at any time. Do not (take yourself to) be the author of the results of action; neither be attached to inaction.

This verse has seen me through many challenging times in life.

How many people do you see around you for example, are identified to their jobs (their self worth, their existence) and hence, when the work does not yield what they want (the results of project/ promotion/ renumeration/ success), then everyone gets bent out of shape. Cos we take action = success. Amount of effort = amount of success.

To take that step back as the moon mirrors in the still lake, see that in order for XYZ to happen, the Universe had set everything up. That the outcome is not so much determined by the limited 'I' but the Universe at work for right conditions, right environment, right opportunities at the right timing for things to happen.

Conversely, we also cannot be lulled into inaction as John Malcovich says, " it is beyond my control'.

Taking that example on the mat (before we explore off the mat), to try our best in every pose and then notice what happens to the mind when we can do it, or not. The only choice we have is to try our best, but whether we can do the pose or not, is cumulation of many factors - genetics, how we grew up (western culture of sitting on chairs versus sitting on the floor for open hips), our sleep and mental state at that moment, our areas of flexibility and stiffness). Yoga is not just about the physical acquisition or else that is acrobatics; but a training of the mind and watching our reactions to the outcomes of our efforts (in this case, the pose while on the mat).

Slowly we see how this extends to our life. A little bit at a time.

Do share how you can apply this verse in your own daily practice and life.

Namaste