In the Bhagavad Gita, chapter 12, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna to keep his thoughts always turned towards Him. If this is not possible, then the alternative is to at least recall His qualities frequently. If we contemplate on the Lord’s infinite auspicious qualities, the mind will automatically move away from other things. But even this may prove difficult for some. So, what is the solution the Lord offers for them? He says they could resort to activities like building of temples and performing other services in temples. The purpose of all these actions must be to please the Lord. These will gradually, in course of time, lead a person to repeated remembrance of His blemishless qualities, and then to concentrated contemplation of the Lord. It is important to note that everything we do should be with a view to pleasing the Lord, said Valayapet Ramachariar in a discourse.
But now Arjuna has a further doubt. All his life he has been doing things for his sake. How can he then suddenly indulge in action for the sake of the Lord? The Lord tells him that sarva karma phala tyAgam is necessary. In other words, no matter what duties we perform, all of this must be done without attachment to the fruits of the actions. We must give up all such attachment to the results.
Thus, the Lord slowly guides Arjuna through various steps of progress in the journey to moksha. If he cannot concentrate on Him, then he must recall the Lord’s greatness frequently. If such remembrance is not possible, then he can try to understand the self. Instead of imperfect meditation on the self, complete tyAga of the fruits of one’s actions is better. This will cleanse his mind at once. In subsequent verses, the Lord lists qualities needed to perform actions in a detached manner.
