Bhagwadgita - thinam oru shlokam

[harishkumar09]

karmaN eva athikasrasthe ma paleshu kadhachana |
ma karmaphala-hethur-bhoor ma the sangosthvakarmaNi ||

The above verse is usually interpreted to mean that one should work without expectation of the results or rewards of ones action. We are told that disinterested action is what this verse recommends.

Madhva gives a novel and different interpretation to this verse. He says that one should perform actions and aspire for the fruits of ones actions ! He divides fruits into two kinds - mukhya phala and amukhya phala --- the primary and secondary. The primary fruits are knowledge , devotion and detachment from materialistic existence. The secondary fruits are materialistic ones like wealth, position and progeny. The Gita says one should expect the primary results and not the secondary results. On deeper analysis we find that the secondary results accrue inevitably as a result of the performance of ones actions, even if we don't wish for them. Elsewhere the Gita states "kripana phala hetava" -- misers are those who work for the fruits of ones actions. Why work for something which you would anyhow get ? If we work in a company we would get the salary anyhow , so why work for it ? Instead we can aspire for something higher and work to make the company bigger or the nation stronger. The highest of all possible ideals is service to Narayana , performing work as offering to Him.