Posted on: 05 Mar 2021
[Śrī Phani asked: A devotee asked me about the first step to achieving niśkāma karma yoga, which is the state of practical sacrifice, without aspiring for any fruit in return. I told him that first step is to pray to God without aspiring for any fruit in return from Him. I also told him that I will ask You about this and convey Your reply to him.]
Swami replied: O Learned and Devoted Servants of God! What you told is not the first step because it is both the first and the last step. There is no other step than that step. This concept of niśkāma karma yoga is only confined to God and is not to be extended to the world. The word yoga means association with God alone. While serving God, you should not aspire for any fruit in return. Jnāna yoga means studying about God. Jṇāna by itself means studying any subject in general. Similarly, bhakti yoga means loving God alone. Bhakti by itself means loving anything in general. Karma yoga means the practical service and sacrifice done to God. Karma by itself means the same done for the world. This point must be kept in mind since it is very important. Otherwise, you will be exploited by tricksters in the world. Whenever the word yoga is used, it limits the concept to God alone and it cannot be extended to the world. If you serve your employer without the aspiration for any fruit in return from him, he will exploit you and accumulate profits. You must wear the sweater of clever intelligence whenever you move around in the world. Otherwise, you will be attacked by the cold winter winds, which are wicked tricksters. You must wear clothes as per the external atmosphere.