Spiritual Quest
Purpose of Spirituality
Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 4b
This is perhaps the most pertinent question of our lifetime.
Why would anyone pursue the spiritual quest? After all, it is not akin to a side hustle; it demands lifelong commitment. It is difficult, and it does not give any apparent monetary reward!
If you are grappling with this dilemma, read on to know what Shri Krishna says about this in the renowned text, Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta.
Revisiting Karma
Let’s visualize our Karma on a color scale. Light colors on the left represent good actions such as helping others, care, love, prayer, sympathy, giving, donations and many more. Dark colors on the right represent bad Karma such as intentional criticism, deceit, defamation, damage, theft, murder and so on.
We are incessantly painting our soul with Karma. Contrary to the popular belief, our soul, and not this world, is our canvas. Sounds weird, right?
Not exactly if we see this from Shri Krishna’s eyes.
If we do bad to the world, the world will absorb it soon. Sufferers will move on, for we are bigger than our pain. Take, for instance, Hitler’s genocide during the second world war. Some of us may still remember the pain of that incident, but I am sure that, too, will pass. Do we feel the same pain still for a similar cruelty inflicted upon humanity by an autocratic ruler 1000 years ago? Certainly not.
If we do good Karma, people will praise us for sometime. And that too will pass rather much faster. Do we remember all of our servant leaders of the past 500 years? Some of them have disappeared into oblivion and others will meet the same fate.
So our Karma does not put an indelible mark on this world. Rather, it paints ourselves with permanent colors. Shri Krishna says, Karma is binding. Good or bad, either way Karma will lead to another Karma in the future and the cycle goes on. We (our soul) cannot escape it, nor can defy it. So, with Karma, we are painting our own souls, rather than affecting this world.
Unfortunately, a painted soul does not look attractive!
Spirituality takes us beyond Karma
Is there any other action that does not fall within this Karma Color Scale?
Shri Krishna says, yes indeed. Many actions defy the law of Karma, for their results are not binding. We can categorize them into two buckets. First, Vi~Karma (Special Actions) and second, A~Karma (Conscious Actions).
Shri Krishna says, “we need to know the difference between these three — Karma, Vi~Karma, and A~Karma”. Understanding of the three types of Karma is an essential step of spiritual journey.
कर्म अकर्म विकर्म है, तीन भेद हैं कर्म |
फिर सकाम निष्काम हैं, कठिन ज्ञान सत कर्म ||
Swarved 5.2.56
कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मण: |
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गति: ||
Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta 4.17
What makes Vi~Karma so special? And When do the actions (Karma) of a spiritual seeker become Vi~Karma?
Shri Krishna says, our desire is the key differentiator. Actions sprout from our desire. When executed well, our actions certainly bear the fruits (intended goal) in the future. Often we do good out of fear, love, or subtle desire to get a return for good. Similarly, under the impulse of our wavering and insecure mind, we indulge in bad Karma.
A spiritual seeker aspires to attain complete realization of the universal consciousness. And all actions performed in that regard become special Karma, for the results are nothing but oneness with the universal consciousness.
So, Vi~Karma lays the path of enlightenment.
Epitome of Vi-Karma: Conscious Karma
Arduous effort and sustained practice of Vi~Karma ultimately leads the seeker to the universal consciousness. Actions of such an accomplished seeker becomes A~Karma.
Accomplished Yogi paints the world with their action. They shape the humanity and sets the direction of better living. Whatever they do is A~Karma, for their actions bear no results in their soul. Take a moment to appreciate that this very spiritual text, Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta, was written 5000 years ago! Shri Krishna has left an indelible mark on this world.
We all are artists;
either we paint our souls,
or we paint this world
The purpose of spirituality is to transform our Karma into A~Karma through Vi~Karma. To achieve the state of consciousness in which we (our soul) can remain unafflicted by the implications of our actions in this world. And by this virtue we contribute to the world, serve the humankind in sustainable and meaningful way.
Way forward
In the latter part of this chapter, Shri Krishna talks about various seekers. He says we all are seekers, however, only a handful of us channelize our efforts effectively to achieve the universal consciousness. While there are innumerable dedications of life, two types of seekers are notable — Karma Yogi and Gyan Karma Sannyasa Yogi. Shri Krishna talks about these two in details and demystifies several myths about them. We will contemplate on these ideas in the upcoming essay on Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta.
Stay blessed, seek spirituality!
Related Post: My realization on other chapters of Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta: Chapter-1; Chapter 2a; Chapter 2b; Chapter 3; Chapter 4a
Where can I get the access to the original text?
Beginners may find this useful.
For deeper insights, get a copy of the book from Vihangam Yoga. If you are in the US, contact North America Institute of Vihangam Yoga.
These revelations are based on my over twenty years of immersion in Swarved, The Encyclopedia of Spirituality. Swarved is available on Amazon and on Google Play store in multiple languages.