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Why Work? What is Retirement, really?


August 28, 2011

In today's world, we assume that retirement is freedom from work. Yet, in the Geeta's vision, no one is ever free from work. Śrī Kṛṣṇa categorically declares in Geeta 3-5:

न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् |
na hi kashchitkShaNamapi jaatu tishhThatyakarmakR^it.h .
No one can remain without performing action even for a moment.

Yet, everyone dreams of being free from the rat race, dream of escaping nasty bosses, insufferable colleagues and the compelling need to put food on the table and pay the bills. (For this discussion, I will use the words action and work interchangeably even though there are clear distinctions from a transactional point of view)

Śrī Kṛṣṇa, ever the pragmatist, recognizes this universal aspiration for freedom from work and throws in a teaser:

यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः |
आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते ||३-१७||

yastvaatmaratireva syaadaatmatR^iptashcha maanavaH .
aatmanyeva cha santushhTastasya kaaryaM na vidyate .. 3-17..
For the one who rejoices only in the Self, who is satisfied with the Self, who is content in the Self alone, for Him verily there is nothing (more) to be done.

Śrī Kṛṣṇa has no problem with such apparent contradictions. This is available to anyone regardless of age, gender or religious persuasion. How? Over to Śrī Kṛṣṇa:

नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन |
न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्चिदर्थव्यपाश्रयः ||३-१८||

naiva tasya kR^itenaartho naakR^iteneha kashchana .
na chaasya sarvabhuuteshhu kashchidarthavyapaashrayaH .. 3-17..
For him, there is here no interest whatever in what is done, or what is not done; nor does he depend upon any being for any object.

Fundamentally, what keeps me bound to the grindstone in the first place? The Geeta's logic is priceless and complete. We work because:
  • I want to gain something e.g. I work so that I can feed my family

  • I might lose something e.g. if I don't work, I can't pay my bills

  • I am dependent on someone e.g. I am indebted, morally or materially, hence this is my way of making up

  • I am dependent on something e.g. feed my addiction or pursue my passion. I have to get my next fix or my work gives me opportunity to climb Mount Sagarmātha (aka Everest) or end world hunger


According to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, for the one who is entirely free from these drivers, that is the person for whom "verily there is nothing more to be done."

How can I get to that state? Act / work in the spirit of Karma Yoga, the science of action as Śrī Kṛṣṇa has mapped out in Geeta chapter 3. This will take us from inevitable action to freedom from action, to real retirement, all while living a gloriously full, joyful life.

Hari Om and Namaskar until the next post.

Comments

  1. Hi Sundar, As always a revealing post. The interesting part though is the discussion on Dharma. We provide for our kids - that is in line with Dharma which the Lord says one should always practice. So, follow the Dharma or get I to retirement?

    I believe, following Dharma is a must. The rat race etc ends when one gives up expectation. That is fundamental.

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  2. @Jdalvi. Thanks for the comment. You're absolutely right. Where chapter 3 excels is in offering a systematic way out of the rat race. Giving up expectation is one part of the equation, performing obligatory duties (नियत कर्म 3-8) is another crucial element - this includes things like providing for the family, excelling in our profession, etc. The logic of how to act is laid out from 3-9 (in the attitude of यज्ञ, sacrifice 3-9), culminating in 3-30, dedicated to a higher cause. So same actions, different attitude is the secret to get on the path to retirement.

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