Living Balanced - Swadharma and Paradharma - Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 3, Verse 35

Namaste, Hari Om Tat Sat,

श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् |
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेय: परधर्मो भयावह: || 35||

śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitāt
swa-dharme nidhanaṁ śhreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ

BG 3.35: It is far better to perform one’s natural prescribed duty, though tinged with faults, than to perform another’s prescribed duty, though perfectly. In fact, it is preferable to die in the discharge of one’s duty, than to follow the path of another, which is fraught with danger.

I recently was reminded of Swardharma and Paradharma from the latest International Yoga Guide (Vol 57: No11, July 2020). 

There was a beautiful article easily explaining how the right action leads to mental purity. 

The article opened my eyes to a message that I have heard time and time again but have truly ignored. I took the lessons from the article and created a small reminder. 

Many of us work or do things to take care of our physical world, this is necessary but should not take a great deal of your energy. Some work for money, pleasure of the ego or even attribute work as a form of offering love to their loved ones. 

Looking at life from a career / work standpoint, the below is a good reminder amongst many good reminders. There is a reason why folks say do what you love to do - but take it one step further, do what you love that makes people smile and serves humanity. 

Foundations of life: Constant self reflection / mindfulness combined with Being Good and Doing Good, think and do positive (Good Karma) things. As the article states, ‘’The Impressions of good karmas have the power to neauralize the negative karmas’’.

DO:

Swadharma work / lifestyle: As Sri Swami Jyotirmayanda says, ‘’Swadharma is the type of activity that is in harmony with your heart, activity you enjoy doing’’. This goes further into satisfying your inner peace, for some folks doing charity and helping others with / in their job helps them perform Swadharmic work. This is your own duty, it is natural for your personality - some folks call it their ‘’calling’’ but in reality it is something that brings a great sense of peace, increases your mental capacity with positive vibrations. 

THINK:

Niskamya: As Sri Swami Jyotirmayananda says, ‘’To chaos eto work without egoistic expectation is called niskamya’’. Choose to go beyond the ego, do not desire the fruits of your worldly labors for yourself, self gain or selfish needs. Make all your efforts but leave the results to a higher power. 

OFFER:

Karma Yoga: This is how we walk the path of Karma Yoga when you offer the fruits of your labor to God. This brings you closer to Chitta Shuddhi, purity of the heart.

FEEL:

Chitta Shuddhi: Thinking in a Niskamya way way helps us go beyond our inner emotions and turmoil, As Swami Ji Says, ‘’Through purity of heart, you are now opening the door to successive steps leading to Englightenment’’. 

I highly encourage everyone to watch and listen to the lectures from Sri Swami Ji, you can also visit the website for information on the his books and the monthly Yoga Magazine. 

Namaste,

SimpleHinduBhai

(Source: www.YRF.org, commentary by Sri Swami Jyotirmayananda).