Bhakti Ras

Consecrate Every Action

Shreemad Bhagavatam says:

न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् ।
कार्यते ह्यवश: कर्म गुणै: स्वाभाविकैर्बलात् ॥

na hi kaścit kṣaṇam api jātu tiṣṭhaty akarma-kṛt
kāryate hy avaśaḥ karma guṇaiḥ svābhāvikair balāt

                                                                           (6.1.53)

“Nobody can remain inactive for even a moment. Everyone is forced to act by their modes of material nature (i.e. the three gunas.)”

Actions do not mean merely professional work but all activities such as eating, drinking, sleeping, waking, and thinking. In short, all tasks performed with the body, mind, and tongue are actions. Therefore, none can refrain from doing anything, not even momentarily.

While some go about their work consciously, others perform unmindfully or ignorantly. Such ignorant individuals are carried away by the waves of Maya, the material energy that manifests in several facades – wealth, fame, position, prowess, kinsfolk, or social affinity. Maya clasps such souls under the sway of desire, anger, greed, pride, etc. On the other hand, those who perform actions consciously (as an impartial observer) turn their mind away from worldly attractions, which results in trikarana shuddhi – purity of thoughts, words, and deeds. Such purity is accomplished only when one performs works in God-consciousness. How can we accomplish this?

Thoughts - Think Nobly

We believe that actions speak louder than words. However, the intention or motivation behind every action ascertains its purity or immaculacy.

People around us may not have the faintest idea of our intentions. Conversely, the Paramātmā (the Supreme Soul residing in the heart of all living beings) perceives and notes all our thoughts and motivations. Elevated souls conscious of this supreme relation with Paramātmā are mindful of God’s perpetual indwelling.

Saint Purandara Dās was one such elevated soul. Once, when his guru asked him to eat a banana without the knowledge of anyone, Saint Purandar Dās responded, “Guru ji, I can’t find a place or a soul where God doesn’t exist.” His guru was pleased and blessed him.

It is essential to constantly keep ourselves aware of Paramatma and nurture virtuous thoughts. In other words, we must make it a habit to be in true satsang. Satsang is not limited to weekend visits to the temple. To be in satsang simply means to be in the company of rich, noble, and uplifting thoughts all the time. To achieve this, we must turn towards God, who is pure in every sense. Therefore, as Shree Krishna instructs, sarveṣhu kāleṣhu yoga yukto bhava “at all times be situated in Yog (union with God).”

Words – Speak Wholesomely

Words that inspire and uplift those around us spring from pure intentions. It's natural to wonder how we can know if our intentions are pure. “Our soul intimates us of it. When our intention is pure, we get divine bliss from within, and we experience inner joy,” elucidates Swami Mukundananda. When we have noble intentions, we will always choose to speak in a constructive, thought-provoking, and valuable way. Therefore, along with the austerity of mind, we must practice the austerity of speech:

अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् |
स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते ||

anudvega-karaṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ cha yat
svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ chaiva vāṅ-mayaṁ tapa uchyate

(Bhagavad Gita 17.15)

“Words that do not cause distress, are truthful, inoffensive, and beneficial, as well as the regular recitation of the Vedic scriptures—these are declared as the austerity of speech.”

Shree Krishna proclaims that one who practices these austerities of speech is a vāk tapasvi (speech ascetic).

Deeds – Perform Consciously

When we defer to the Lord in thoughts and words, our deeds align with his will. We naturally refrain from self-centered behavior and begin to see the entire world as belonging to God, and hence meant for his satisfaction. This heightened awareness of God’s omnipresence helps us practice dispassion towards the world and deepen our devotion to him.

Dispassion or detachment from the world doesn’t mean we abandon our responsibilities. We should continue to perform our worldly duties while reposing the mind and body in God alone. We need to practice dedicating our thoughts, words, and actions to him with love and devotion. Remember that the Supreme Lord doesn't need anything from us, as he is the one who has blessed us with our abilities for our own benefit. We can either consecrate our abilities and efforts by serving the Lord or sully the same by serving Maya.

When we embark on the spiritual path, we must be even more vigilant with our intentions. If we engage in spiritual activities to achieve riches, recognition, glorification, veneration, or other material rewards, then those activities are also alloyed. Hence, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu pleads with the Lord to help him stay focused on serving him selflessly:

न धनं न जनं न सुन्दरीम् कवितां वा जगदीश कामये |
मम जन्मनि ईश्वरे भवताद् भक्तिः अहैतुकी त्वयि ||

na dhanam na janam na sundarīm kavitām vā jagadīsh kāmaye
mama janmani īshvare bhavatād bhaktir ahaitukī tvayi

(Shikshāshtakam)

"O Lord of the Universe, I don't desire wealth, followers, beautiful women, or poetic rhetoric. My only wish is to have selfless devotion to you, birth after birth."

Thus, when we practice these three-fold austerities with God as our supreme goal and refuge, every effort or work is automatically consecrated. This means working in God-consciousness, which manifests divine grace within our hearts.