i'll have no karma with that, thanks

Verse 4.14: There is no work that affects Me; nor do I aspire for the fruits of action. One who understands this truth about Me also does not become entangled in the fruitive reactions of work.

The laws of karma have been discussed extensively in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of the Gita. There, it was highlighted that both good and bad karma are unwanted. We also learned that all actions result in karma.

It was at this point that the Gita introduced the concept of akarma, or performing actions that do not incur any karma. The secret to performing akarmic work was given. Anyone remember? If you said a transformation of consciousness...you're right!

Any action that is performed with the attitude of offering it in gratitude to the Divine results in no karma.

If you've ever wondered why that's the case, today's verse gives the answer. The Divine Himself is not subject to the laws of karma, nor is He responsible for the karma that all of us incur. Although the King or President of a country is responsible for their citizens, there may be laws that do not apply to them due to their position. Furthermore, if their citizens break those laws, the King or President is not responsible for their actions. Those citizens have free will and have chosen to exercise it.

Since the Divine is not subject to the laws of karma, when our consciousness transfers from being self-centred to offering our best to the Divine, our actions are also not subject to karma.

The Gita is prompting us to imbibe a culture of gratitude and reciprocation.

Instead of succumbing to the overwhelming ethos of "mine, mine, mine!" which is pervading our society, we can instead be instruments to help elevate it. By recognizing the gifts we have been given as those coming from the Divine, the greatest happiness can be experienced when we act as instruments of grace and offer our actions, and whatever results that come from it, on the altar of love for the Divine.

thank you!

Verse 2.57: In the material world, one who is unaffected by whatever good or evil he may obtain, neither praising it nor despising it, is firmly fixed in perfect knowledge.

Role models are so important to have. They give us a sense of hope, inspiration and comfort. My role models are the incredible bhakti mentors that I am blessed to have in my life who are genuinely "unaffected by whatever good or evil they encounter."

They showed me how the practice of yoga isn't about artificially repressing your feelings or trying to ignore your emotions. That's what I used to think not being effected by good or bad meant. It's about operating on a level of gratitude and love.

Why do I mention this? Because those mentors and the Gita have given me the encouragement, strength and inspiration to delve deeper in my own journey of self-discovery. Also, because today marks the 100th post I've written on the Gita. As someone who has started many things and have stopped due to lack of time, lack of inspiration and numerous other excuses, this is a huge! That's why it's so important for me to honour and give thanks to those persons who have made it possible.

Any writing or reflections that have been shared (and will continue to be shared) on this blog is a direct result of blessings and guidance. So I would like to thank you, my dear readers for coming along this journey with me so far. I'm so excited to continue this journey with you! I would also like to thank my parents, well-wishers, spiritual mentors and friends for all their support and loving feedback.

And most of all, I would like to thank Krsna. Thank you for giving us the Gita so that we can truly understand who we really are and giving us the process by which we can realize it; a process that is so practical, relevant, timeless and beautiful.