Selfless Service to Others

Renouncing selfish motives

- Shri Murarilal Dhanuka

In verse 13 of chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, "The righteous ones who eats the remnants (residual) of sacrifice are released from all sins; but those sinful ones who cook food for themselves truly devour sin."

When duties are performed without any hope of reward, equanimity (in the form of remnants of the sacrifice) is revealed. The main factor in discipline of action is, that an action is performed only with the material which is received from the world. Therefore; an action is called 'Yajna' only if, by it, selfless service is rendered to the world. After performing sacrifice (action), the residue 'yoga' (equanimity) is for oneself. This yoga (equanimity) is the essence which has been called 'nectar' in the verse 31 of chapter 4 of the Gita.

Having realized equanimity, a man is released from all bondage. As per verse 23 of chapter 4 of the Gita, all his actions performed in the past, (as stored and ripened ones) as well as those performed at present, melt away, i.e. are reduced to nothing. When his actions have been reduced to nothing, he attains the eternal Absolute (Gita 4/31).