Lokasangraha

Lokasangraha:

The Bhagwad Geeta has been my guiding light since an early age. Even today when I open a chapter there seems something new to learn from, something different to apply to life, some different perspective to look at things. Today the word that kept coming up spontaneously in my mind was Loka-sangraha ! लोकसंग्रह! 

Karmayoga is the title given to the 3rd chapter of the Bhagwad Geeta! In this chapter Lord ShriKrishna has used the word Lokasangraha a few times ( verse 20 and 25) when explaining why even an enlightened person should work. Lokasangraha is to look beyond working for one’s own needs. Lokasangraha is to work for the greater benefit of society. A living with a thought for everyone around us. 

Yesterday the visit to the Griffith Observatory made me aware of the generosity of Mr D W Griffith for his desire to make the general public learn about astronomy and the huge donation he made to fulfil that desire. 

Recently I happened to watch a video interview of Mrs Sudha Moorthy from Infosys. The interviewer asked her why she and her husband made a big donation for a government project to develop a Metro Station in Bangalore. Her answer was simple. People in the city are facing hardships due to traffic congestion. Setting up an alternative route for their commute that is more efficient and convenient made good sense to invest money into.

This happens to be just one example of the family’s philanthropist actions.

I had contacted a vendor for some sarees 2 weeks back and not heard anything. Sent another reminder last week nudging for a response. Today out of the blue I got a video call from him. Besides seeing his beautiful weaves I ended up having a heart to heart talk with him about his experiences, his philosophy and his vision for his work. For a man in his 30s he had so much wisdom in him. The call lasted over an hour. At the end of it I could see that this young man was doing Lokasangraha in the true sense of the word. 

People emulate those in whom they see greatness. What a leader does becomes an example for the common man to follow. King Janak was a highly evolved, self realized soul. Yet he performed his duties with diligence like any ordinary man. ShriKrishna was the God Head, Supreme Consciousness who ruled over the entire universe. He too during the incarnation attended to his duties faithfully. Why? Because if he failed to do it , the common man would follow him and be corrupted and misled from the path of Dharma or duty. So many more examples I can give that came to mind today that were shining examples of Lokasangraha .

Independence comes in different garbs. Independence from outdated thinking. Independence from rusty knowledge. Independence from stunted inner growth. Independence from working for selfish gains. Independence from living with a lack of purpose. Independence from complacency towards things that need to be overturned, changed or resisted. 

One at a time we need to seek these independences . 

The events of last two days culminated in me going back to refresh the teachings of the Bhagwad Geeta summarized in chapters 2 and 3. They gave a renewed energy and a sense of purpose and new perspective towards the work at hand. Inspired work makes a bigger difference both for ourselves and for others. I feel very blessed to find this inspiration today. 

Truly a Happy Fourth of July! Independence Day in the USA! 

Saree is a simple cotton Taant from West Bengal. Colors close to theme of the day.