WHAT IS NISHKAMA KARMA?

NEW YEAR 2022 TALKS

By Swami Paramarthananda

Transcribed by Sri A. Venkatesan

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WHAT IS NISHKAMA KARMA?

New Year Talk 2022- By Swami Parmarthananda

सदा�शव समारम्भां शङ्कराचायर् मध् यमा

अस्मदाचायर् पयर्न्ताम ्व्
न दे गुरु परम

Hari Om. First of all I wish all of you a happy, healthy, peaceful
prosperous and Omicron free, New Year 2022. This year also we are not
able to conduct, a public puja to mark the new year. Still I thought I will
give talk to mark the arrival of new year 2022. Today I would like to
share some thought based on the teachings of the Gita. In the Gita,
Lord Krishna prescribes a set of regular practices to be followed by the
entire humanity. Not for Hindus or Indians. To be followed by the entire
humanity. For the harmony, peace, progress and sustainable growth of
the entire humanity. They are such wonderful prescriptions by the Lord,
they can be incorporated in our new year resolution. In fact every year
they can be incorporated.

And Lord Krishna calls them Niyata Karmani .Throughout Gita, Lord
Krishna emphasizes them. Niyatam has 2 meanings. One is that which
is prescribed by the Vedas. Because Lord Krishna clearly says, his
intention is to revive the teachings of the Vedas for the benefit of the
humanity. Therefore niyatam means prescribed by Vedas for the all-
round well-being of the humanity. And when I say all round well-being,
it means physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual well-being at the
individual level. And not only that. They will contribute to family well-
being. So societal well-being. Environmental well-being. Both the
sentient environment consisting of animals and plants as well as the
insentient environment consisting of 5 elements and elementals- space,
air, fire, water and earth. For all round well being this is a manual given
by Lord Krishna for our benefit. Therefore niyatam means prescribed
by the Vedas.

And Lord Krishna compares these Niyata Karmani to mythological cow

called Kamadhenu. It is a mythological cow which is called Kamadhenu.
कामम्कामम्िग् इ�त कामधे. That which yields any type of well-being that

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you want. So wish yielding cow. Lord Krishna says niyata karma is
wish yielding cow provided by Vedas. एषवो इष् काम धुक्. Lord Krishna
says in 3rd chapter:

सहय�ाः प्रज सषृ ्ट् पुरोवाच प्रजाप� ।

अनेन प्रस�वष्यध् वोऽिस्त्वष्टकामध ॥ १०॥.

May you prosper using these Niyata Karmani. And

ये मे मत�मदं �नत्यमु�
न तष्ठि मानवाः ।
श्रद्धावन्तऽनसू
ो मच
ु ्यन् तेऽ�प कमर्�भ ॥ ३१॥

Not only they will contribute to material prosperity, ultimately will help in
spiritual goal of enlightenment and liberation also. It is a multi purpose
set of practices. Regular practices.

The word niyatam has got another meaning also. First one is
prescribed by Vedas. Second meaning is they are fixed. Therefore
compulsory. Instituted by Vedas, to be treated by human beings as
obligatory. Second meaning of niyatam is obligatory. And therefore
Lord Krishna wants, being obligatory the humanity cannot afford to
ignore them, neglect them and take them for granted. And if humanity
ignores these Niyata Karmani it will lead to disastrous consequences.
Technically called प्रत्यव. In 18th chapter Lord Krishna says

�नयतस् तु संन्यास कमर्ण नोपपद्यत ।

मोहा�स् प�रत्यागस्ताम प�रक��तर्त ॥ ७॥

These Niyata Karmani should never be renounced. If out of delusion

humanity ignores them, called tamasic कम,र which will lead to adverse
consequences. And in 3rd chapter, Lord Krishna says

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ये त्वेतदभ्सूयन
य नान�ु तष्ठिन मे मतम ् ।
सवर्�ान�वमूढांस्तािन्व नष्टानचेतस ॥ ३२॥.

And he uses the word मानवा:; which is not prescription for hindus or
brahmins or Indians. He uses the word manava; saying this is meant
for entire humanity. If the humanity ignores them �वद्� नष्टान. The
humanity is doomed to destruction. And according to scriptures and
Lord Krishna, most of the problems that the humanity faces now, are
all प्रत्य. Whether it is increased stress or life style diseases. They are
all प्रत्यवfor ignoring Niyata Karmani. And at the global level if there
is a global warming, climate change, disastrous weather all these also,
are again the प्रत्य because of ignoring Niyata Karma.

And therefore, Lord Krishna revives the Vedic teaching and says �नयत
कमर is prescribed by Vedas. It is obligatory following will lead to human
growth and ignoring will lead to human destruction. It is about this
Niyata Karmani I wanted to share. Many people have written
commentaries on Gita, traditional and modern people. Because Gita is
universally popular. And some commentators, traditional commentators
themselves have translated Niyata Karmani as nishkama karmani.

This has been so widely used that in due course the original word
Niyata Karmani has been forgotten and popular expression is niskama
karmani. In Gita niyata karma and nishkama karma have become
almost interchangeable. While the word nishkama karma has become
popular, it has become a debated expression also. Because the very
word nishkama karma is not acceptable to some of them, because
they argue, that every कमर, is motivated by, some benefit result or the
other प्रयोजम न ुद्� नांन्दो� प्रवतर. The very fuel behind an action is
result or benefit of action. It is desire prompted. Action means desire
prompted. यद्य� कुरुत कमर्त�त् कामस् चेिष्टत whatever कमर is done it
is all handiwork of desire. Since कमर and desire always go together, how
can you talk about nishkama karma . Desire less action is an

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oxymoron. It is a contradiction in terms. Many people reject this very
concept of nishkama karma. So whether it is appropriate to translate
�नयतकमर as nishkama karma is a debated thing which I am keeping
aside now. Now we will focus on the word Niyata Karmani which are
taught by Lord Krishna. And the very word niyatam is used by Lord
Krishna. niyatam कुर कमर त्व कमर ज्याय ह्यकमर् ।:. What are the Niyata
Karmani . In the 18th chapter Lord Krishna defines and enumerates
them. And they are explained in the 17th chapter. And Lord Krishna says,

य�दानतपःकमर न त्याज् कायर्मे तत् ।

य�ो दानं तपश्चै पावना�न मनी�षणाम ् ॥ ५॥.

So what is meant by Niyata Karmani by Lord Krishna. He says य� दानं

and तप:. And these 3 disciplines or practices are prescribed by Vedas
themselves. In बह
ृ दारण्य , 4-4-22 . तमेतंवेदानव
ु चनेन ब्राह्मणा �व�व�दषि
य�ेन दानेन तपसा नाशके न . The same 3 practices mentioned in वेद Lord
Krishna literally borrows.

And says य� दान तपः कमर् is Niyata Karmani . And of them the first
one is य� which means reverential service, humble service. Reverential
service is य�. And वेद talks about even though in Gita it is not
elaborated. In the उप�नषदs this य� is sub divided into पञ् महा य� . 5
fold reverential services. Which I have talked about in some of my new
year talks themselves very often. I repeat because of its importance. 5
fold reverential service is य�.

Then दानं. दानं means charity. Sharing ones resources, avoiding greed.
Because greed is a threat. As they say we have got enough resources
for human need. But we don’t have enough resources for one person’s
greed. But beating the greed, has to share the resources to the needy
one, which is called दानं. I n उप�नषद it is highlighted श्रद्धयादे।
अश्रद्धयादे। �श्रयादे य। �ह्रयादे य। �भयादेयम ्। सं�वदादेयम ् . Charity or
sharing one’s resources, regularly fixing a percentage. 10 or 15% of my

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income , I will allocate for my sharing. Compulsory according to Lord
Krishna, न त्याज् कायर्मेवतत . There is no disparity. Economic disparity in
the society which is the cause of varieties of crime including cyber crime.
That economic disparity will be avoided and crimes can be avoided only
when sharing is not forced sharing. It becomes communism. It is a
voluntary sharing. It is called Vedic duty. Nobody should force. I should
happily do that understanding the value of Niyata Karmani . So दानं is
the second one.

And the third one is तप:. तप: means 3 fold disciplines. 3 fold, referring
to, physical का�यकं , verbal, वा�चकं and mental मानसं. का�यक वा�चक मानस
तपs. Thus 5 fold reverential service, charity and 3 fold discipline.
5+1+3=9 is called niyatam कम.र Now I will briefly talk about these 3.
We have been seeing them in Gita classes very often. It is worth
remembering in the beginning of the new year and worth taking a vow
that, I will focus on these 9 regular practices. So I am remembering
aloud on this new year day. It is an indirect, remembrance of Lord
Krishna it is an indirect remembrance of वेद. Indirect remembrance of
Bhagavan author of वेद .

So पञ् महा य� is 5 fold reverential service done towards 5 fold infra

structure. First humanity to acknowledge the presence of the 5 fold infra
structure and their indispensability for survival of humanity. Unless we
are aware, we will not voluntarily do this. Awareness alone is important.
Now a days there are campaigns for different types of awareness. I am
doing an awareness campaign of पञ् महा य�, prescribed by the
Vedas. What is the 5 fold infrastructure?

First and foremost is family infra structure which is now being

threatened whether marriage and family life are required or not. 2
weeks before I read an article, where a person the author writes, we
should re consider the very institution of marriage. Perhaps we can ban
it, because it is promoting gender inequality. How the perception is
changing. If family institution should be abolished because it promotes
gender inequality. They themselves say that all institutions are ridden
with gender inequality - court , parliament must be abolished they say

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everywhere here is gender inequality. If there is gender inequality it has
to be addressed properly. But solution cannot be removal of important
infrastructures which are required for the survival of humanity. The
psychological health of future generation of children. So much the
psychologists talk about importance of both parents for the
psychological growth of child. Especially in the initial few years. Family is
a very important infrastructure. And Lord Krishna’s advise every human
being should be aware of importance of family. Integrity of family. And
everything should be done for the harmonious survival of the family.
And the divorce rates should decrease. If there are problems, they
should be solved but not the destruction of the very infra structure. Like
cutting of head because of head ache.

So all kinds of practices meant for the service of one’s own family.
Preservation of one’s own family is called �पतयृ �. Reverential service to
family. Which includes our fore fathers also. They can be both ritualistic
as well as non ritualistic. Previously 3 generations were there in family.
Later there were 2 generations. Now one generation itself is struggling.
Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati says in a gathering, one man
entered and he said that Swamiji, I have come to see you with my
family. Then Swamiji says, I asked all the other people to give way.
Because family is coming. They should have a place to sit. There was no
place I wanted to give them a big room because family is coming I see
behind one lady is coming. Meaning of family has become spouse. 3
generations , 2 generations one generation. . no existence of family.
Lord Krishna says family is compulsory for human survival.

Then next one is, reverential service to the societal infrastructure.

Societal harmony. If in the society many communities are there. Many
religious groups are there, there must be harmony. Each one should
respect the other. Aim should not be destroying all other communities.
Entire earth must be only my community, my religion. That approach
will lead to disastrous consequences including religious wars. We have
to do everything for the harmonious existence of different communal
groups, religious groups. All types of groups. Racial groups. Any service
done for the well being of the society, is , religious service called
मनषु ्यय;.

Then the next one is भूतय�: The importance of environmental

infrastructure. So much talked about that I need not talk about much.
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Because global warming is causing disasters. Many wonder whether
humanity can survive. Because when temperatures go so high or low,
and rains are battering this year. Tamil Nadu and Chennai including me
all of us experienced. What is अ�तविृ ष् : All because of environmental
disharmony वेद divides environment into 2. Sentient environment
consisting of animals and plants. Bio diversity. And that is in a ritualistic
form also भूत य� is done. Worship of cow, worship of plant like tulasi
aswatha, etc. We have so many prayer verses addressed to animals,
and plants. It is not immature society’s prayer. It is the prayer of a
society which is aware of, the mutual symbiotic connection. Therefore
every animal, every plant should be respected, revered and protected.
And whatever we do in that direction, either directly or indirectly, we
support those groups. Or even we create awareness. It is भूतय�.

And the insentient environment consisting of the 5 elements. Space, air,

fire, water and earth. How each one is important for our survival. Space
constriction every city is experiencing. Therefore there is vertical
growth. Chennai is having high rises so many. All 4 houses are
destroyed and 15 floors come. Space is important. Then air. Then fire.
Fire means sustainable energy. Whether we can have coal and how
long? What about atomic energy? Wonderful. But create another type
of problem. How to handle the waste? So fire power, or energy need is
becoming higher and higher, because we don’t want to do physical
work. Therefore we want to replace with natural energy. And we find
we are exploiting, over using. That is becoming another threat.
Therefore पञ् महा य�भूतs we have to remember. They are important.

Then water resources. They say there can be a global war - 3rd world
war because of water. Then earth and the resources. All these 5
elements play a very important role. We have to manage them well
and their product like rivers oceans, mountains. Recently one day
mountain sustaining day. One day they have allotted to be aware of
mountain ranges of the world. And there was a talk. I accidentally heard
in the radio, in what all ways mountains are important. How they are
destroyed, because of mining, etc. Earth. So 5 elements and
elementals.

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In Hinduism, they are taken as symbols of Ishvara. आकाश�लङ्ग वायु�लङ्ग
अिग्न�लङ्, etc. We have got 5 temples where deities represent the
पञ् भूतs. That means we symbolically worship those deities, create
awareness and treat the elements with reverence. In the daily पूजा of
God which is another duty, they invoke the Lord as पञ् भूता�न .
लंप�ृ थव्यात्मने गन्धं समपर्या�म। हंआकाशात्मने पुष्पैःपूजया�म। यंवाय्
धूपमाघ्रापया�म। रंअग्न्यात्मने द�पंदशर

And so पञ् प�ृ थव्यात्मने गन्धं समपर् . So Bhagavan, is represented by

5 elements. So that when we experience 5 elements we will have
attitude of reverence. Therefore we won’t pollute.

Reverential service to family including parents, fore fathers etc called

�पतय
ृ �. Then we had मनषु ्यय. Reverential service to society. Then
भूतय�, reverential service to sentient environment consisting of animals
plants etc. Reverential service to the पञ् भूतs, which is looked upon as
the representative of God or manifestation of God, called देवय�:.

And the 5th and final is, the, ब्र य�: word ब्र referring to वेद and
called scriptures. Reverential service is nothing but preserving and
promoting the scriptures. The scriptural learning and a life style guided
by the scriptures. The Vedic culture, a culture which values this way of
life. So promoting that, preserving that is called ब्र य�, which is there
in ritualistic form also. In non ritualistic form any type of promotion, an
awareness is called ब्र य�:.

So thus पञ् महा य� means - the very word य� means, it is an attitude

of reverence. Not of exploitation. Not conquest of nature. But co
existence with nature. Thus पञ् महा य� s are compulsory. Not for
hindus or brahmins. Brahmins may do it in a ritualistic manne. Others
may not know what is तपर्ण संध्यावन्द or अिग्नहोत वैश्वदेव. We may not
know. We may not understand. We may not practice them in letters. But
in spirit we have to understand and follow. Even communist people have

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to depend on these 5 fold infra structures. So this is पञ् महा य� .
Which will come under Niyata Karmani .

Then second one is दानं . Sharing the resources. And scripture

emphasizes आदान दोषेण भवेत् द�रद दा�र�य दोषेण करो�त पापं पापदावश्य नरकं
प्रया. पुनदर्�र पुनरे व पापी.

If the humanity doesn’t give charity and amasses wealth, making

another set of people poor. Forcing them to poverty. We can see in all
cities. There is high rise building surrounded by slum colonies. Just
opposite. So when there is such a disparity, and I give poverty to others
by amassing wealth, Sastra says you gave poverty. In return Bagavan
will give you poverty in next जन् . In this जन् you said नािस्. नािस्.
In next जन् you will have to say दे�ह दे�ह . आदान दोषेण भवेत् द�रद you
will become poor. दा�र�य दोषेण, करो�त पापं . Poverty leads to lot of
crime. You will earn पापं. पापदवष्य नरकं प्रया . Because of poverty and
crime you will go to hell. Hellish life पुनदर्�र पुनरे व पापी.. Cycle of poverty
crime and sins will only circulate. Beginning is refusing to share. Because
of your greed. Therefore दानं is important. In Indian culture, a person
is considered great based on how much he gave. Not based on how
much he earned. Earning is not the criterion. Giving is the criterion. त्या
the criterion. सन्न्या is criterion for growth. Thus दानं is extremely
important for the entire humanity.

Then comes तप:. तप: is , I said 3 fold. का�यकं , वा�चकं , and मानसं .Lord
Krishna defines each one very elaborate in 17thchapter. Details are given
I am only quoting some of the prominent verses.

दे वद्�वजगुरुप्रा�प शौचमाजर्वम ।
ब्रह्मचयर्म� च शार�रं G तप उच्यत ॥ १४॥–

Regular worship of God represented by पञ् भूता�न, universe called

�वश्वर ईश्व . Even though I may use an idol. A �शव�लङ् . I am not

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worshipping the idol. I am worshipping, the �वश्वर ईश्व . The पञ् भूत
infrastructure which is God for me. And it is represented by Rama,
Krishna, Devi, Shivalinga, Saligrama or a flame or a mound of
turmeric powder. Daily worship to be aware of the totality. Otherwise we
will be narrow and selfish.

And therefore in Hinduism, भिक् is defined as awareness of the

समिष् . Totality is Bhagavan. And awareness of the totality and never
doing anything, that will disturb the harmony of the totality. That is
called devotion or भिक् . Not mere rituals and eating प्रसा . समिष्
awareness is devotion. A devotee will not disturb the harmony of the 5
fold infrastructure. So daily पूजा is prescribed to invoke this awareness
पूजनं शौचं cleanliness of body is physical discipline.

And ब्रह्म. Maintenance of sexual morality. Whether one is married or

unmarried, that was very much emphasized in our culture. Because the
institutions of marriage will survive only when there is sexual morality.
You can see in the society that is coming down. And family is getting
disintegrated. And therefore ब्रह्मचand अ�हस ं ा.

So पूजा, ब्रह्म and अ�हंसा . Non violence. Physical non violence.

Corporal punishments should never be given to children in several
countries it has become a law. That children can call police if their
parents hit them. So parents are now frightened of children. They can
easily call the no. and parents should be arrested. Physical violence will
crush the minds. Psychological health will be affected. Therefore
अ�हंसा. Physical अ�हंसा is �नयतकमर. And you find everywhere violence. So
movies are full of violence. Newspaper , news is full of violence. That
alone is news almost every page. Therefore का�यकंतप:. Lord Krishna
mentions three of them. That is पूजा, worship as a discipline. Physical
worship. As a physical discipline in the morning. Then what do you call
sexual morality maintenance. And then physical non violence. They all
come under �नयतकमर.

Then the next one is verbal discipline. I have talked about this very
often. And this is very, very, very, very, very important. Verbal
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discipline. Filtering our speech before letting it out in society. Therefore
words must be filtered. Lord Krishna gives 4 fold filters

अनद
ु ्वेगकर वाक्य सत्य �प्रय�ह च यत् ।
स्वाध्यायाभ्य चैव वाङ्मय तप उच्यत ॥ १५ ॥

First filter is non hurtful or non-violence words. Because words can hurt.
In newspaper , spin bowler Ashwin has said some manager of a cricket
team, has said something in the press. And he says I felt crushed under
the bus. I am not able to forget it. Just a word used by some one. So
therefore be very careful. When it is used in the family, because
family is the place where we are least careful because we take family for
granted. All the husbands take wives for granted. Often vice versa also.
Therefore loose words come. That leads to even disintegration of
family, because of loose words. Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati
repeatedly says , avoid loose words, avoid rumours. Avoid sharing
unconfirmed news. All creating havoc in social media. Then non hurtful.
No. one. Satyam. Truthful. If it is not truth don’t speak or speak the
truth. So truthful. Third one is useful. Whether this information is useful
to another. If it is not required, for another one, unnecessary
information becomes a burden, a problem. If it is not useful, don’t
speak. And then finally, cheerful. Priyam, -useful is �हतं. �प्रय means
cheerful. Let it be pleasant words. Body language, facial expressions are
also pleasant. It leads to pleasant ness of listener also. Cheerful
therefore, non hurtful, truthful, useful , cheerful . NTUC speech. Is
वाक्प: and Lord Krishna adds a few more. वाङ्मय तप उच्यत.

There after comes, mental discipline called मानसं तप:. That also Lord
Krishna defines which is toughest among disciplines.

मनःप्रसा सौम्यत् मौनमात्म�व�नग् ।

भावसंशद
ु ्�ध�रत्येत� मानसमच
ु ्यत ॥ १६॥

He mentions several of them. I will highlight only 2. One is मनप्रस::

maintaining the tranquillity of mind or samatvam. Because when mind is
stressful naturally it will get reflected in our words and actions. And it
will lead to either verbal or mental or physical violence. And therefore
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both of them, are because of mental stress only. Mental stress due to
irritability ,impatience etc. Therefore there are 2 forms of तपs can be
practiced only when there is mental relaxation. De stressing by योग
meditation etc is मानसं तप. Then another one I would like to emphasise
I भाव संशदु ्� ; purity of motive. Means honesty. That whatever action I
do, my conscious must be very clear, which is done not only with the
intention of my own good. I make sure that it is never done at the cost
of others pain, a hidden agenda. Hidden motive should not be there
called transparency. भावसंशदु ्� : this is मानसं तप: mental discipline.

5 fold य�, + one दानं , one type of दानं , then 3 fold तपs or disciplines. 5
fold reverential service. One charity. 3 fold disciplines. 9 regular
practices, Lord Krishna prescribes throughout the Gita. For both the
material property as well as spiritual growth. य� दान तप: कमर पावना�न
मनी�षणा: It will lead to mental purity.

�च� शद
ु ्� कायेन मनसा बद
ु ्ध् के वल�ै रिन्द्रयै ।
यो�गनः कमर कु वर्िन सङ्ग त्यक्त्वात्मशु ॥ ११॥.

Internal purity , internal growth. And in बह

ृ दारण्य it says वेदानु वचनेन
�व�व�दषिन् . It generates desire for spiritual pursuits. Spiritual hunger
�व�व�दषिन् means desire for the knowledge of the spiritual truth which
is the ultimate reality.�व�व�दषा जनका. Spiritual hunger will be activated.
Thus it has got worldly benefit also. It has got spiritual benefit also. For
the entire humanity, whether they want that or this and they can and
should pursue at least for the sake of others like mask wearing. Even if
you don’t mind having corona or omicron, you cannot, go out without
wearing mask compulsory because you don’t have a right to harm
others. Human rights doesn’t include right to harm others.

And therefore, these Niyata Karmani are compulsory because I am

otherwise harming universe itself. Which I am not supposed to.
Thereafter Lord Krishna says, that these Niyata Karmani , becomes
more important, for a spiritual seeker. It is important for the entire

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humanity. But from a spiritual seeker, it is more important. He can drop
even all other materialistic pursuits or sensual pursuits he can give up.
For the spiritual seeker �नयत कम्र � य� dana तप कमार्� is very
important for spiritual growth. And therefore Lord Krishna says in one
verse in 17thchapter

त�दत्यन�भसन्धायफ य�तपः�क्रय ।
दान�क्रया �व�वधाः�क्रयन मो�काङ्���भ ॥ २५॥

These three karma are focused by the मो� seekers. Seekers of

liberation, spiritual enlightenment. So they have a desire for मो�,
spiritual . Because they are motivated by this spiritual growth , they
don’t focus on other non spiritual benefit which they look up on only as
a by product. For spiritual seekers, primary benefit is मो� . And the
worldly benefit are only by products. They don’t focus.

Just as a devotee goes to temple for Ishvara दशर्न , the by product is

beautiful प्रसा . Especially this month beautiful प्रसा will come with ghee
and all. वषै ्ण temple. So temple primarily we go for दशर्न of the Lord.
The by product is प्रसा . A true devotee doesn’t go for that. He doesn’t
focus on that. Therefore Lord Krishna says त�द�त अन�भसंधाय फलं .
Without focussing on the worldly result phalam means, non spiritual
result . The spiritual seekers do not focus because they look upon them
as by product. Money, name, fame, etc. may come through charity.
They do charity not for name ,fame, or Padmashree or Padma
Vibhushan. Such award is not their goal it may or may not come
अन�भसन्धायफल . फल अ�भसिन् विजर्त फल कामान विजर्त. करं. Without
desire of non spiritual फलं . And because of this reason the spiritual
seekers are called �नष्का . They are मो� काम desirous of मो� . But
since they are not interested in non spiritual worldly benefit like name
fame meaning, award, reward, etc. the spiritual seekers have also got a
name �नष्का .How do we understand �नष्का .? They are desirous of
spiritual growth. But they are not motivated by worldly benefits
therefore they are given a special title अफला काङ्�� अपला

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किन्��भयर: �व�दवषृ ्ट यैच्चत . They are �नष्का ; w.r.t worldly results.
They are सकाम: w.r.t spiritual growth. And since they are called �नष्का
from the stand point of worldly results the य� दान तप कमर् done by
these people are called �नष्का कमार्� .

The word �नष्का is an adjective to the spiritual seeker. �नष्कास्

कमार्� �नष्का कमार्� . We should not simply translate it as desire less
action. It is the action of the desire less people who are desire less w.r.t
name ,fame , money ,award reward, etc. They are desireful very much
w.r.t internal spiritual growth. They are सकाम कमर from the stand point
of मो� . They are nishkama karma from the stand point of material
wealth. Some commentators therefore translate Niyata Karmani as
�नष्का कमार्� , which is a contextual expression. But the word �नष्का
कमार्�ण has been taken out of context. It creates lot of confusion.
Therefore nishkama karma is another word for Niyata Karmani.

Niyata Karmani are meant for both spiritual as well as nonspiritual

people. They consists of 9 fold regular practice - 5 fold reverential
services, charity, 3 fold disciplines. It is extremely important. Lord
Krishna recommends that. Every year we should take a vow, I will try
my best to follow Lord Krishna’s advise. niyatam कुर कमर्त्. niyatam
कमर कुर . O human beings. And I reply to Lord Krishna, niyatam कमर
क�रष्या� . I add if the entire humanity, respects this advise of Lord
Krishna, we will all will prosper. Material prosperity and spiritual success
are guaranteed. So with these words once again I wish you all a happy
new year and conclude my new year talk.

Swami Paramarthanandaji’s New Year Talk- transcribed by Sri.

A.Venkatesan

ओंपूणर्मदःपूणर्�मदंपूणार्त्पूणर्मदच्यते।पूणर्स्यपूणर्मादायपूणर्मे
ओंशािन्त ! शािन्त !! शािन्त !!!

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