Gitaji teaches us that all actions, unless performed as yagna, or selfless service, cause bondage. So we must not attach ourselves to actions or fruits of actions but must perform them out of love just as Nature performs for the good of all. A mango tree or a rose plant has nothing to gain from us, yet they performs perfectly for the benefit of all without distinguishing between men and women, without considering caste, creed, religion, nation, geography, or any other artificial man-made barriers.

No one can escape actions whether physical, mental, or intellectual. Just as a tree offers us whatever it receives from nature -- it being only an agent of Nature -- we are also advised by Shri Krishna to act as an agent of whatever we receive from Nature or God and offer or transfer everything received for the good of the world at large. We must not hoard or claim ownership either to wealth, property, children or knowledge.

If we hoard what is bestowed upon us for our own good only, we are considered thieves. In this respect, except for true and rare sages and saints, we are all thieves or thugs in whatever garbs we may hide. Thus, the fundamental law of work as expressed in Gitaji is that we must never wish to work for gaining wealth, although it may be the outcome of our efforts. There is, of course, no question of hoarding wealth, either inherited, obtained through our efforts or through some sort of lottery.

Wealth must be only an outcome of honest hard work. We should never play with wealth. We must use it for the good of humanity. So wealth is not a sin, but hoarding it, even if it is obtained through honest efforts, is an unpardonable sin according to Spiritual Law. Wealth is a conversion of labor, which should be, in turn, only used for sacrifice. This in turn uplifts us to a higher state of mind and ultimately frees our mind, intellect and ego.

We must consider an opportunity to work as a means to Self Realization and not to satisfy our lust, greed, or desire for name and fame whether you are a politician, businessman, a dharma guru, or a leader in general. Unfortunately, in some circles today obtaining wealth with minimum efforts or no effort is considered "smartness." Such is the height of our ignorance! To eat without work is stealing and unpardonable, although in exceptional cases of sickness or other deficiencies, one may be excused to a certain degree.

If a question arises: why should I work if I cannot accumulate wealth for my physical pleasures? The answer is that this human life is solely for Self Realization and not for the animal life of lust, greed, breeding, eating, sleeping, raising species and dying. Today, unfortunately, we find modern culture, education and even religions judged on the basis of the amount of wealth one is capable of accumulating or has accumulated. Success in life is measured by wealth, but to what end?

Greed, lust and anger are the three gates to hell as mentioned in the Gitaji. Therefore, in order to enjoy life, have peace, love and joy and to fulfill the purpose of human life -- Self Realization -- one must not be lured into lust and greed or fame. Let us work for the sake of working and not make it a full time business of human life. Work we must, but we must also sacrifice its fruits for our own good -- if we really and truly know what that good means. The body, mind and intellect are just instruments for service to the Lord who resides in everything, everywhere and all the time.

Service to the Lord, therefore, should be service to all unconditionally.

-Swami Radhanandaji