The Art and Science of Work

The Art and Science of Work

(Karma Yoga)
• What is work?
– It is a sacrifice!

• Why work?
– Lokasamgraha (Universal Welfare)
– Chittashuddi (Purity of mind/heart)

• How to work?
– Nishkama Karma - Desireless action
 Nishkama Karma

“Karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu
kadāchana mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te
saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi”

“To action alone hast thou a right and never at all to

its fruits; let not the fruits of action be thy
motive; neither let there be in thee any
attachment to inaction”
(The Bhagavat Gita – 2:47)
 Nishkama Karma
• Psychological Energy
Conservation
• Perfection is the aim to
handle both success and
failure (“Be thou as perfect as
thy father in the heaven” –
Bible)
• Inner Autonomy/Sufficiency
• Mind
Enlargement/Enrichment
• Work Commitment
• Excellence through Work as
Worship
• Conducive for Ethics in
Workplace
Sakama Karma
• Psychological Energy
Dissipation
• Success is the aim – it excludes
failures
• Dependence on Externals
(Praise, recognition etc.,)
• Job Enlargement /Enrichment
• Reward Commitment
• Excellence through Competitive
Rivalry
• Breeding Ground for Unethical
Decisions/Actions
 Nishkama Karma
Psychological Energy Conservation
Perfection is the aim to handle both
success and failure (“Be thou as perfect as
thy father in the heaven” – Bible)
Inner Autonomy/Sufficiency
Mind Enlargement/Enrichment
Work Commitment
Excellence through Work as Worship
Conducive for Ethics in Workplace
Sakama Karma
Psychological Energy Dissipation
Success is the aim – it excludes failures
Dependence on Externals (Praise,
recognition etc.,)
Job Enlargement /Enrichment
Reward Commitment
Excellence through Competitive Rivalry
Breeding Ground for Unethical
Decisions/Actions
 Nishkama Karma
“Such desireless action can have no
decisiveness, no effectiveness, no efficient
motive, no large vigorous creative power?
Not so. Action done in this spirit is not only the
highest but wisest, the most potent and efficient
even for the affairs of the world – for it is
informed by knowledge and will of the Master
of all works.”
-Sri Aurobindo
 Nishkama Karma

“Selflessness is more paying, only people do not

have the patience to practice it.”
Swami Vivekananda

Detachment is Mastery;
Attachment is Slavery.
 Giving Model of Inspiration

Concept of Man-in-Society in Indian Sociological

Thought

Man has five-fold debts (Brihadaranyaka Up.,

Manu and Atharva Veda)
 Debt to For Mode of Payment
Deva Rin (Symbolic Forces of Light, Air, Water etc., Prayer & Surrender
Nature) (Prarthana & Prapatti)

Rishi Rin Legacy of Wisdom Self-study with Reverence and

Practice (Swadhyaya & Abhyas)

Pitri Rin (Parents & Ancestors) Human Birth & Social Identity Service (Seva)

Nri Rin (Humanity at Large) Enjoying Unending Network of Silent Charity

Services
(I am = Contributions by
others)
Bhuta Rin (Sub-human Making Living Possible Caring with Gratitude
Species)
 Giving Model of Inspiration
• This concept of indebtedness makes one feel duty-
conscious rather than rights oriented.

• Rights and Duties confuse the cause and effect

relationship.

• Duty consciousness by nature protects rights of others.

• Thus, it is more conducive to managerial effectiveness

than otherwise.
 Motivation vis a vis Inspiration
Motivation Inspiration

Driven by Greed Contentment

Self-Positioning Creditor Debtor

Mental State Rights Conscious Duty Oriented

Aim Grab Give

 Giving Chapter V
Khalil Gibran
“….You give but little when you give of your
possession.

It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

For what are your possessions but things you keep
and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?

And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the

over-prudent dog burying bones in the trackless
sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?
 Giving Chapter V
Khalil Gibran (Contd.)
“….There are those who give little of the much
which they have – and they give it for recognition
and their hidden desire makes their gifts
unwholesome.

And there are those who have little and give it all.

These are the believers in life and the bounty of life

and their coffer is never empty.
 Giving Chapter V
Khalil Gibran (Contd.)

“….There are those who give with joy, and that

joy is their reward.

And there are those who give with pain, and

that pain is their baptism.
 Giving Chapter V
Khalil Gibran (Contd.)
“….And there are those who give and know not pain
in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with
mindfulness of virtue;

They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its

fragrance into space.

Through the hands of such as these God speaks,

and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the
earth.
 Giving Chapter V
Khalil Gibran (Contd.)

“….It is well to give when asked, but it is better

to give unasked, through understanding.

“…All you have shall some day be given;

Therefore give now, that the season of giving
may be yours and not your inheritors.
 Giving Chapter V
Khalil Gibran
“….You often say, ‘I will give, but only to the
deserving.’

The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the

flocks in your pasture.

They give that they may live, for to withhold is

to perish.”
 Motivation vis a vis Inspiration
• Let us make a choice.

• Let us work out of inspiration rather than

motivation.

• To conclude...
“Work as a master, not as a slave.”
-Swami Vivekananda