Across world spiritual traditions, good deeds refer to selfless acts that promote the well-being of others. Many traditions converge on the importance of good deeds in cultivating compassion and spiritual growth. They diverge, however, in their specific motivations and understandings of the role of good deeds in achieving spiritual fulfillment.
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The Blessed Lord said: Arjuna, neither in this world nor in the next is there destruction for that person; for no one who does good, my friend, ever comes to a bad end.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | पार्थ नैवेह नामुत्र विनाशस्तस्य विद्यते | न हि कल्याणकृत्कश्चिद् दुर्गतिं तात गच्छति ||६-४०||
'Do not neglect the duties to the gods and the ancestors. Be one to whom the mother is a god. Be one to whom the father is a god. Be one to whom the teacher is a god. Be one to whom the guest is a god. Those deeds that are blameless are to be practiced, not others. Whatever good conduct there is in us, that you should adopt,
देवपितृकार्याभ्यां न प्रमदितव्यम् । मातृदेवो भव । पितृदेवो भव । आचार्यदेवो भव । अतिथिदेवो भव । यान्यनवद्यानि कर्माणि । तानि सेवितव्यानि । नो इतराणि । यान्यस्माकꣳसुचरितानि । तानि त्वयोपास्यानि ॥ २॥
Just as a flower is known by its fragrance, spiritually enlightened person is known by his deeds.
The word "Sat" is used in the sense of reality and of goodness; and so too, Partha, the word "Sat" is applied to an auspicious act.
सद्भावे साधुभावे च सदित्येतत्प्रयुज्यते | प्रशस्ते कर्मणि तथा सच्छब्दः पार्थ युज्यते ||१७-२६||
There is no truth higher than the Guru, no austerity greater than service to the Guru, and no knowledge beyond the knowledge the Guru imparts. Salutations to the Guru.
न गुरोरधिकं तत्त्वं न गुरोरधिकं तपः । तत्त्वं ज्ञानात्परं नास्ति तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः
You are the one who gives eternal liberation as the result of righteous actions, without any desire for personal gain.
Those who do good deeds can break this bond and free themselves.
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.
My advice is to not strive for supernatural powers or rapid Kundalini awakening. Instead, cultivate devotion to God, have complete faith in Him, and embody a spirit of service to humanity. The Kundalini will awaken naturally.
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.
"Just as, in dice, the lower throws all go over to the winner of the highest cast, so whatever good creatures do, all of it accrues to him. I say this of anyone who knows what he knows."
यथा कृतायविजितायाधरेयाः संयन्त्येवमेनꣳ सर्वं तदभिसमैति यत्किंच प्रजाः साधु कुर्वन्ति यस्तद्वेद यत्स वेद स मयैतदुक्त इति
"Just as, in dice, the lower throws all go over to the winner of the highest cast, so whatever good creatures do, all of it accrues to him. I say this of anyone who knows what he knows."
यथा कृतायविजितायाधरेयाः संयन्त्येवमेनꣳ सर्वं तदभिसमैति यत्किंच प्रजाः साधु कुर्वन्ति यस्तद्वेद यत्स वेद स मयैतदुक्त इति
Through service at the Guru's feet, one's inner being is wholly purified of all wrongdoing, and the embodied soul thereby becomes one with Brahman. I speak these words for your blessing.
सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा श्रीगुरोः पादसेवनात् । देही ब्रह्म भवेद्यस्मात्त्वत्कृपार्थं वदामि ते
The greatest service you can provide to the world is sharing spiritual knowledge. Spiritual help is the most significant assistance you can offer to humanity.
Then the humans said to him: 'Please tell us something.' To them he uttered that same syllable 'Da.' 'Did you understand?' — 'We understood,' they said; 'you told us, "Give (datta)."' — 'Yes,' he said, 'you understood.'
अथ हैनं मनुष्या ऊचुर्ब्रवीतु नो भवानिति । तेभ्यो हैतदेवाक्षरमुवाच द इति व्यज्ञासिष्टा३ इति । व्यज्ञासिष्मेति होचुर्दत्तेति न आत्थेत्योमिति होवाच व्यज्ञासिष्टेति ॥ २॥
The first thing we must imbibe is goodness. This is the base. Whatever the kind of seed we sow, the same kind of food we receive. If we plant a Babul, can we hope to get a sweet mango? Since we sow the seeds of Babul, we are bound to find thorns only.
It brings to completion tasks that seemed impossible, removes the fear arising from the influence of the nine planets, destroys bad dreams, and grants the fruits of auspicious dreams.
असिद्धं साधयेत्कार्यं नवग्रहभयापहम् । दुःस्वप्ननाशनं चैव सुस्वप्नफलदायकम्
Sita always did what would bring joy to the All-merciful, being skilled in the art of service.
I made the guardians of the eight quarters do menial service to me; while you, O wretch, glorify an earthly prince before me!
तेहि रावन कह लघु कहसि नर कर करसि बखान, रे कपि बर्बर खर्ब खल अब जाना तव ग्यान
Those men who worship my personal form, do good to others, and are devoted to the feet of the Brahmanas, are dear to me as life.
सगुन उपासक परहित निरत नीति दृर्ह नेम, ते नर प्रान समान मम जिन्ह के द्विज पद प्रेम