This is the story that Avdhut recounted in the Guru Sannidhyan. It was during their time together in the Himalayas that his father, the revered Guru Avdhoot Atmananda, imparted this profound lesson on 'Karma'. With great wisdom and clarity, Atmananda elucidated the essence of karma, shedding light on Karma Yogi.
Part I
The Setting Sun and the Restless Mind
The sun dipped low over the verdant hills, its golden rays stretching languidly across the landscape, casting a warm, amber glow over the ashram. The sacred space, nestled deep within a forest of ancient trees, was a sanctuary of peace and contemplation. Birds chirped softly as they returned to their nests, and a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of jasmine and sandalwood through the air. It was the hour of twilight, that fleeting moment between day and night when the world seemed to hold its breath in quiet anticipation.
Avdhoot Atmananda, the revered sage of the ashram, sat beneath the vast canopy of a banyan tree. The tree, with its thick, intertwining roots and sprawling branches, had stood for centuries, witnessing countless moments of spiritual insight and revelation. It was under this very tree that many seekers had come to realize profound truths, guided by the wisdom of the sage.
Avdhoot Atmananda was a man of immense spiritual depth. His face, lined with the marks of time, radiated a serene calmness, a reflection of the inner stillness he had cultivated over decades of disciplined practice. His eyes, deep and clear, seemed to hold within them the mysteries of the universe. Clad in a simple saffron robe, he sat cross-legged on a woven mat, his posture erect yet relaxed, embodying the perfect balance of effort and ease.
Before him sat his son, Adwaitananda, a young aspirant eager to learn the mysteries of the spiritual path. Adwaitananda, though young, was already recognized within the ashram for his dedication and sharp intellect. His heart was filled with the desire to understand the deeper truths of existence, and he sought his father’s guidance with a reverence that bordered on devotion.
As the evening deepened, and the first stars began to twinkle in the twilight sky, Adwaitananda turned to his father with a question that had been troubling him.
“Father,” Adwaitananda began, his voice soft yet filled with urgency, “I have been contemplating the teachings of Karma Yoga. It is said that performing one’s duties with involvement and joy is the essence of this path. But I feel there is something more, something I am missing. Can you help me understand?”
Avdhoot Atmananda opened his eyes slowly, his gaze resting gently on his son. He saw the earnestness in Adwaitananda’s face, the desire for deeper knowledge, and knew that the time had come to impart a lesson that would shape his son’s spiritual journey.
“Adwaita,” Avdhoot Atmananda began his voice a deep, soothing murmur that seemed to resonate with the very earth beneath them, “your question touches upon a truth that is often misunderstood. To perform actions with joy and involvement is a beautiful practice, but it is not the entirety of Karma Yoga. Let me tell you a story—a story that will reveal the essence of true Karma Yoga, a path far deeper than mere joy in action.”
Adwaitananda leaned in closer, his heart beating with anticipation. He had always been drawn to his father’s stories, knowing that within them lay the keys to unlock the mysteries of life and the universe.
Part II
The Tale of Raghav, the Joyful Worker
“There once lived a man named Raghav,” Avdhoot Atmananda began, his voice weaving the tale into the fabric of the night. “Raghav was a farmer in a small village, surrounded by lush fields and towering mountains. The village was a place of simple beauty, where life moved with the gentle rhythm of nature. The people of the village were content, living in harmony with the earth, and Raghav was among the most respected of them all.
Raghav was known for his joyful spirit and his tireless work ethic. He would rise with the sun, his heart filled with gratitude for the new day and would immediately set to work on his fields. He tilled the soil, planted seeds, and tended to his crops with a care and dedication that was admired by all. His fields were always the most bountiful, his crops the healthiest, and the village often spoke of how Raghav’s joy in his work seemed to infuse the very earth with life.”
As Avdhoot Atmananda spoke, Adwaitananda could almost see Raghav, a tall and strong man with a broad smile, his hands rough from years of labour, yet his heart light with the joy of living. He imagined Raghav in his fields, the sun shining down on him, his laughter ringing out as he worked tirelessly from dawn to dusk.
“Raghav was not just a farmer,” Avdhoot Atmananda continued, “he was also a devoted husband and father. He cared deeply for his family and took pride in providing for them. His wife, Sita, and his two young children, Lila and Harish, were the light of his life. Every evening, after the day’s work was done, Raghav would return home, his heart filled with joy, and spend time with his family. He would play with his children, tell them stories, and help Sita with the household chores. His home was a place of love and laughter, a place where the simple joys of life were cherished and celebrated.”
Adwaitananda smiled, imagining the warmth of Raghav’s home, the laughter of the children, and the loving bond between Raghav and his wife. It was a picture of perfect contentment, of a life lived with purpose and joy.
“But despite his outward happiness,” Avdhoot Atmananda said, his voice taking on a more serious tone, “Raghav felt a restlessness within him. He began to wonder if there was more to life than just working the fields and caring for his family. He had heard stories of sages and yogis who had renounced the world in search of higher truths, and he began to question whether his life of joyful involvement in work was enough to attain true spiritual fulfilment.
One day, as Raghav was working in his fields, a wandering sage came to the village. The sage was an old man, his face weathered by the elements, but his eyes shone with a light that spoke of deep inner peace. The villagers gathered around him, eager to hear his teachings, and Raghav was among them. The sage spoke of the path of Karma Yoga, of performing one’s duties without attachment to the fruits of one’s actions. Raghav listened intently, and when the sage had finished speaking, he approached him with a question that had been burning in his heart.”
Avdhoot Atmananda paused, letting the anticipation build. Adwaitananda could feel the tension in the air, the moment of Raghav’s realization drawing near.
“Raghav asked the sage, ‘Revered one, I find great joy in my work and in caring for my family. I perform all my duties with full involvement and love. Does this make me a Karma Yogi?’
The sage looked at Raghav with kind eyes and replied, ‘My son, your dedication to your work and your love for your family are commendable. But Karma Yoga is not just about performing your duties with joy and involvement. It is about performing your duties with complete detachment from the results. It is about surrendering your actions to the Divine, without any expectation of reward or recognition.’
Raghav was taken aback by the sage’s words. He had always believed that his joyful involvement in his work was the essence of Karma Yoga. But now he realized that there was a deeper aspect to this path, one that he had not yet understood.”
Doing Whatever Physical Activities with Involvement and Joy Does Not Mean You Are a Karma Yogi.
Part III
The Journey to the Mountain Hermit
“Raghav was deeply moved by the sage’s words,” Avdhoot Atmananda continued, his voice taking on a tone of quiet intensity. “He realized that while he had been performing his duties with joy and involvement, he had still been attached to the outcomes. He had taken pride in his bountiful crops, in the love and respect of his family and community, and in the sense of fulfilment he derived from his work. But now he understood that true Karma Yoga required a complete renunciation of the ego, a surrender of all actions to the Divine.
The sage, seeing Raghav’s inner turmoil, invited him to accompany him on a journey to a distant mountain, where a hermit lived in solitude. The hermit, the sage said, was a true Karma Yogi, one who had mastered the art of detached action. Raghav, eager to deepen his understanding, agreed to accompany the sage on this journey.
They set out early the next morning, the sun just beginning to rise over the horizon. The path to the mountain was long and arduous, winding through dense forests and cliffs. The air grew colder as they ascended, and the landscape became increasingly rugged. But Raghav was determined to reach the hermit, to learn the secrets of true Karma Yoga.”
As Avdhoot Atmananda spoke, Adwaitananda could almost feel the chill of the mountain air, the roughness of the path beneath his feet, and the growing sense of anticipation as Raghav and the sage approached their destination.
“After several days of travel, they finally reached the mountain’s peak. There, in a small, stone hut perched on the edge of a cliff, they found the hermit. He was sitting in meditation, his eyes closed, his breath slow and steady. His face was serene, free of any trace of desire or attachment.
The sage and Raghav waited patiently for the hermit to finish his meditation. When he finally opened his eyes, the sage introduced Raghav and explained his quest for understanding. The hermit listened quietly, his gaze calm and steady.
‘What do you seek, my son?’ the hermit asked Raghav, his voice soft yet filled with an authority that commanded respect.
Raghav bowed his head and replied, ‘I have come to learn the true essence of Karma Yoga. I have always found joy in my work and in caring for my family, but now I realize that I have been attached to the outcomes. I wish to learn how to perform my duties with true detachment, as an offering to the Divine.’
The hermit nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. ‘You have come to the right place, Raghav. But know that the path of Karma Yoga is not an easy one. It requires not just the renunciation of desire, but the complete surrender of the ego. It is about becoming a vessel for the Divine, allowing the Divine will to flow through you without any interference from your desires or attachments.’
Raghav listened intently, his heart filled with a deep longing to understand and embody these teachings. The hermit, seeing his sincerity, invited him to stay with him on the mountain for a time, to learn through experience and contemplation.”
Part IV
The Lessons of the Mountain
“The days passed slowly on the mountain,” Avdhoot Atmananda continued, his voice taking on a reflective tone. “Raghav followed the hermit’s simple routine, waking before dawn to meditate, collecting firewood, and gathering herbs from the forest. The work was hard, but Raghav found a deep sense of peace in the simplicity of the tasks. There was no one to impress, no one to judge him, and no rewards or recognition to be gained. It was just him, the hermit, and the mountain.
At first, Raghav struggled with his inner restlessness. He was used to the hustle and bustle of village life, to the constant activity and the satisfaction of seeing the results of his labour. But here on the mountain, there was nothing to distract him from his own thoughts and emotions. He had to confront the attachments he had carried with him—attachments to his work, his family, and his sense of self-worth.
The hermit, observing Raghav’s struggle, began to teach him the art of detached action. ‘When you gather firewood,’ the hermit instructed, ‘do not think of it as a chore, or even as a service to me. Do it as an offering to the Divine, without any expectation of reward. When you meditate, do not seek peace or enlightenment. Simply sit, allowing the Divine to work through you, without any desire or attachment.’
Raghav tried to follow the hermit’s teachings, but it was not easy. His mind was accustomed to seeking pleasure and avoiding pain, to striving for success and fearing failure. But slowly, through persistent practice, he began to experience moments of true detachment. He found that when he performed his duties without any thought of the results, there was a sense of freedom, a lightness that he had never felt before.”
As Avdhoot Atmananda spoke, Adwaitananda felt a deep resonance with Raghav’s journey. He understood the difficulty of renouncing the ego, of surrendering completely to the Divine will. It was a path that required immense courage and humility, a willingness to let go of everything that the ego clung to.
“Over time,” Avdhoot Atmananda continued, “Raghav’s inner transformation became evident. His actions became more effortless, more aligned with the flow of the Divine. He no longer took pride in his work, nor did he feel discouraged when things did not go as planned. He simply acted, without any attachment to the results, trusting that the Divine would take care of everything.
One day, as Raghav was gathering herbs in the forest, he came across a beautiful wildflower growing in a rocky crevice. Its delicate petals were a vibrant shade of blue, and it seemed to glow with an inner light. Raghav was captivated by its beauty and immediately thought of bringing it back to the hermit as an offering. But then he remembered the hermit’s teachings. He realized that even this act if done with the desire to please the hermit or to gain his approval, would be tainted by attachment.
So, instead of picking the flower, Raghav simply knelt beside it and offered a silent prayer of gratitude to the Divine. He acknowledged the beauty of the flower, but he did not try to possess it. At that moment, he understood the essence of Karma Yoga. It was not about performing great deeds or even finding joy in one’s work. It was about surrendering completely to the Divine, allowing every action to be an offering, free from the bonds of ego and desire.”
Part V
The Return to the Village
“After several months on the mountain,” Avdhoot Atmananda continued, “Raghav felt a deep inner calling to return to his village. He had learned much from the hermit, and he felt ready to apply these teachings in his everyday life. The hermit, seeing Raghav’s progress, blessed him and sent him on his way, reminding him that the true test of his understanding would come amid the world, not in the solitude of the mountain.
Raghav descended the mountain with a sense of peace and clarity he had never known before. The journey back to the village was long, but he did not rush. He moved with a calm and steady pace, his mind free from any thoughts of what awaited him at home.
When he finally arrived in the village, he was greeted with joy and celebration. The villagers had missed him, and his family was overjoyed to see him return safely. But Raghav was different now. There was a stillness in his presence, a quiet strength that radiated from within. He no longer sought validation from others, nor did he feel the need to prove himself through his work.
Raghav resumed his duties as a farmer, but now his actions were infused with a new quality. He still worked hard and still took care of his family, but he did so with a sense of detachment and surrender. He no longer took pride in his bountiful crops, nor did he feel disheartened when the harvest was less than expected. He simply did his work, offering it all to the Divine, without any concern for the results.
The villagers noticed the change in Raghav. They saw that he was no longer driven by the same ambitions and desires that had once motivated him. Yet, there was a deep contentment in him, a joy that was not dependent on external circumstances. People began to come to him for advice, seeking his wisdom and guidance. Raghav, in his humble way, shared what he had learned, always reminding them that true Karma Yoga was not about the actions themselves, but about the attitude with which they were performed.”
Part VI
The Final Test
“As the years passed,” Avdhoot Atmananda continued, his voice growing softer, “Raghav’s understanding of Karma Yoga deepened. He faced many challenges, but each time he was able to return to the principles of detachment and surrender that he had learned from the hermit. But the true test of his understanding came in a way he could never have anticipated.
One year, a terrible drought struck the village. The rains did not come, and the fields dried up. The crops withered, and the villagers faced the threat of famine. Raghav, like everyone else, did his best to conserve water and keep his crops alive, but despite his efforts, the harvest was meagre. The villagers, who had always looked up to him, began to lose hope. They questioned why their hard work had been in vain, why the Divine had forsaken them in their time of need.
Raghav, too, was faced with doubts. He had always believed that if he performed his duties with detachment and surrender, the Divine would take care of everything. But now, as he watched his fields dry up and his family struggle to find enough food, he wondered if he had been mistaken.
One evening, as Raghav sat alone in his fields, he felt a deep sense of despair. He had done everything he could, but still, the results were not what he had hoped for. He realized that even now, he was still attached to the outcomes of his actions, still hoping for a certain result. He had not yet fully surrendered.
At that moment, Raghav closed his eyes and offered a prayer to the Divine. He prayed not for rain, not for a bountiful harvest, but for the strength to accept whatever was to come. He offered his actions, his hopes, and his very life to the Divine, without any expectation of reward or success. He let go of all attachment to the results, surrendering completely to the will of the Divine.
The next morning, the villagers awoke to find that the skies had cleared, and a gentle rain was falling. The drought was over, and though the harvest was still modest, it was enough to sustain them through the year. Raghav’s faith had been tested, and he had emerged stronger, his understanding of Karma Yoga now complete.”
Part VII:
The Lesson for Adwaitananda
Avdhoot Atmananda paused, allowing the weight of the story to settle over Adwaitananda. The young man sat in silence, his heart and mind absorbing the profound lesson his father had just imparted.
“Do you see now, my son,” Avdhoot Atmananda finally said, “that doing whatever physical activities with involvement and joy does not mean you are a Karma Yogi? True Karma Yoga is about more than just action. It is about surrendering the fruits of those actions, letting go of all attachment to the results, and offering everything to the Divine. It is not enough to simply take joy in your work; you must also be willing to let go of that joy, to give up all sense of ownership and pride, and to trust completely in the Divine will.”
Adwaitananda nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. “I see now, Father. It is not enough to simply perform my duties with joy. I must also learn to surrender, to let go of all attachment to the outcomes, and to offer everything to the Divine.”
Avdhoot Atmananda smiled, his heart swelling with pride and love for his son. “You have understood well, Adwaitananda. This is the essence of Karma Yoga. It is a path that requires great courage and humility, but it is also a path that leads to true freedom and peace.”
The two sat in silence for a while longer, the fire crackling softly beside them, the night deepening around them. As the stars shone brightly overhead, Adwaitananda knew that he had taken another step on his spiritual journey, guided by the wisdom and love of his father, Avdhoot Atmananda.
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