Sri Bharatamata

Ashtottaram 84

 

 

 

84) OṀ KĀRYA DAKṢHATA BHŨMYAINAMAH:

           OṀ (AUM) -KAAR-YA-DAK-ṢHA-TA- BHOO- MYAI- NA-- MA- HA

 

       (Kārya: means-What is to be done, duty; Dakṣhata: means- Able, confident)

 

Widely used, the word 'kārya' has several senses. As associated with the word 'kāraṇa' (cause), it means the effect. For instance, if clay is the kāraṇa, pot is its kārya or effect. Some of the other senses in which it is used are: work, conduct, utility, profession and duty. The word is also used in a more technical sense in astrology and legal works. To fulfill the prescribed duties in life, one must have the sense of responsibility. Life style is different from the goal in life. As the Vedas proclaim that śarīram khalu idam dharma sādhanam' -meaning- 'your body is the vehicle to practice dharma'. Of all the birth, human form is the utmost precious because it is the only means to attain mokṣha through the path of jnānam. Even the ḋevatās enjoy their life in heavens till the results of their meritorious acts are exhausted. No other live form is suitable for achieving mokṣha.

 

That's why ancient sages and householders also practiced strictest dhārmic duties, austerities and daily rituals in order to reach that goal of mokṣha. They have promulgated that every human being has to have a goal in life and work hard toward achieving it. We wish we see the same attitude among the people in present times, but, unfortunately that became a rare thing among modern lives. Our sages lived in forests, wearing deerskin as loin cloth, eating fruits, roots and vegetables, performing their daily rituals without fail, engaging in meditation and japa most of their lives, maintaining perfect chastity, with tremendous self-control and deeply devoted to truth and helping humanity to achieve their goal of mokṣha with hymns and mantras which help for japās and meditation. They insist that every human must have lakṣhyam (goal) and kāryadakṣhata (able to perform the duty) and no matter how many hurdles, and obstacles one faces, must focus on the goal and practice toward reaching that goal.

 

In our purāṇās, epics, and iṫihāsās, there are many heroes like E'kalavya, Karṇa, Ḋhruva, Pāndavās, Hanumān and many more stood as an example of kāryadakṣhata. Our ṟishis were satpuruṣhās, parahitās, and akrūrās have daya and dākṣhiṇyam as virtues, practiced non-violence, performed puṇya karmas, dharmavettās, and lived their lives as per dharmaśastrās in order to achieve the ultimate goal of life of mokṣham. In those sages, ṟishis and seers, there were householders who also carried their duties and obligations as husbands and wives. This illustrates their kāryadakṣhata (able to perform the duty).

 

Then the question comes that 'those are good old days and who can practice those rigid rules in modern times'? That's why we have our satgurus, swamis and religious discourses to teach us and constantly remind us to follow in that path.

 

Our land teaches the ultimate goal and pursuit of human life as a duty and is 'Kārya Ḋakṣhata Bhūmi'.