As the ignorant act with attachment to action, Bharata, so should the wise act without attachment, desiring the welfare of the world.
सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत | कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्चिकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम् ||३-२५||
Altruism
Altruism refers to selfless concern for others' welfare across spiritual traditions. Traditions converge in emphasizing compassion and kindness. They diverge in methods and motivations, offering unique perspectives.
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It was through action alone that Janaka and others attained perfection. You too should act, with regard also to the welfare of the world.
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः | लोकसंग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि ||३-२०||
restraining the whole array of the senses, even-minded everywhere, delighting in the welfare of all beings, they too attain me.
सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः | ते प्राप्नुवन्ति मामेव सर्वभूतहिते रताः ||१२-४||
The sages whose impurities are destroyed, whose doubts are cut away, who are self-controlled and delight in the welfare of all beings, attain the peace of Brahman.
लभन्ते ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृषयः क्षीणकल्मषाः | छिन्नद्वैधा यतात्मानः सर्वभूतहिते रताः ||५-२५||
By this nourish the gods, and may the gods nourish you; nourishing one another, you shall attain the highest good.
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः | परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ ||३-११||
This is not Karma Yoga, but rather a self-promotional attempt to gain fame. In contrast, a common laborer who earns a meager living through hard work may choose to donate their earnings to feed the hungry or sick, even if it means they themselves go without food that day. This is true self-sacrifice and genuine Karma Yoga.
Don't worry about your future birth. Make the most of your current life, and free yourself from the cycle of birth and death. Cultivate devotion to the Lord, let go of base desires, and focus on doing good for others.
The life of a householder is not about indulging in lust and loose living. Instead, it's a life of selfless service, focused on Dharma, charity, goodness, kindness, and self-help, which benefits all of humanity.
Yogic practices alone are not enough; purification of the heart is essential. Self-reflection is necessary to eliminate faults and bad habits. Correct your flaws, such as selfishness, pride, jealousy, and hatred. Cultivate your heart by sharing with others and engaging in selfless service, which will lead to a pure mind.
True religion teaches us to come together, rise above all kinds of discrimination, and treat all beings as children of the same Supreme Father, serving and loving them selflessly and genuinely.
Having a calm and pure mind is extremely challenging, but it is essential for progressing in meditation and practicing selfless action.
Love is pure only when it has no selfish motive attached to it. In fact it is the spirit of selflessness that is pure love.
If there is anyone who is all-beautiful, all-wise, and all-merciful, and who loves the forlorn, it is Rama alone. No one else can compare to him as a selfless friend and giver of eternal bliss.
A true friend should guide their companion away from wrong paths and towards virtuous ones, highlight their good qualities, and overlook their flaws. They should selflessly give and take, serve their friend's interests, and love them even more when they are in distress.
One who does not respectfully follow the advice of a selfless friend, teacher, and master will fully repent in their heart and undoubtedly harm themselves.
सहज सुहृद गुर स्वामि सिख जो न करै सिर मानि, सो पछिताइ अघाइ उर अवसि होइ हित हानि
Lord Rama is pleased with pure and selfless love, but who in this world is more foolish and impure of mind than I?
जौ हम निदरहिं बिप्र बदि सत्य सुनहु भृगुनाथ, तौ अस को जग सुभौ जेहि भय बस नावहिं माथ २७२ श्र् रामचरितमानस
Selfless righteousness is eternal and leads to an eternal reward, while selfish righteousness is not and does not lead to an eternal reward.
Those who never lie for themselves or for others, or in jest or to excite laughter, will succeed in ascending to heaven.
Whatever is given to those who are selfless and devoted to the good of all becomes inexhaustible.
If the world were full of people who are compassionate, knowledgeable about the soul, and always doing good for others, then the golden age would have begun.