Is lie dharma way to save someone or just keep a nishkam attitude?
Question by: Manohar Lal,Student,Unnao
I think you are confused about definitions of dharma, lie and nishkam karma.
What is Dharma?
First, dharma is not religion, it is the adoption of an idea, which may include God, or some principles. Christianity is not following Christ. It is all about adopting the principles of Christ and following them—-can you conceive of Christ without his principles? Buddhism is not following Buddha, but it is the adoption of Buddha’s principles and following them. Therefore, a person is reduced to certain principles by its followers. They intuitively follow those principles in the name of a person. The most basic definition of dharma is adopting an idea and following it— Nothing else. It applies to every part of life. Manohar is nothing but the principles he follows. That is his dharma—not Hinduism or Islam or Christianity.
What is a lie?
Now comes what is a lie. If a lie saves an innocent then it is better than the truth. In the Mahabharata itself, there is an Upanishadic principle given—don’t speak the truth which hurts somebody,…a lie, which saves many, is better than the truth! Therefore, all depends on the application of a lie and a truth. Patriotism is the backbone of a strong citizenry and a nation. But, saving an innocent person from a misused legal system is better patriotism—because you are saving a good citizen here. But, if somebody has violated the law unconsciously then acceptance and plea for pardon are the right ways. However, in the case of a conscious violation, we should let the law take its course. Support the law and not the dishonest person then.
Nishkaam Karma—is not Gita’s phrase
Now comes the most misunderstood term linked with the Gita—-Nishkaam karma. Some people think Krishna preaches “action without desire”. Actually, such people have not understood the Gita fully, because the Gita is not a book to be read through certain limited interpretations and understood. It is a complete education system. I repeat, a complete education system. And it cannot be fully grasped without the help of a qualified teacher—-qualified means, not MA PhD one, but a real teacher. Degrees don’t matter here. I don’t think Krishna has used the term Nishkaam karma in His discourse. It is the creation of interpreters. Krishna doesn’t cut kaam out of life’s syllabus—He says Dharma Aviruddhah Bhuteshu kaamo asmi Bharatarshabhah—I am the desire, which doesn’t violate the adopted principles. He says tasmaat asaktam satatam karyam Karma smaacharah—-therefore, work without getting stuck in needless work-stoppers (asaktah means this). He says —karmanye vaadhikarastey maa phaleshu kadachanah—your right is to work and not to the fruits of work. This is your basic right—to work with your objective or principle in mind—don’t bother what happens as a result thereafter. Because, gahana karmano gatih—because the dynamics of action are very profound—like something happening deep down in the bottom of the sea and you cannot see the forces building up in its consequence. Therefore, it is needless to think how the dynamics will work out. Just know the right way to work. What is that? Set a goal, like Arjuna, achieve with the help of Krishna, the way Arjuna achieved—-He won back his kingdom. He achieved his goal. Was it nishkaam karma? Ha ha ha ha. In fact, using the forces of your desire to achieve the goal is karma. So forget about this bullshit Nishkaam karma. The Gita doesn't teach you this. Channelise your energies and achieve your goal, is what is the teaching of the Gita. Had it not been so, Krishna wouldn't have talked about Him being a desire which doesn't violate the adopted principles of the object to be achieved. What He is saying in the shloka from chapter 7 is that “Your desire, lust should be in line with the principles of the object to be achieved. Once it is done, the objective is achieved. Therefore, instead of preaching desireless action, Krishna preaches action with channelised, undistracted desire to achieve the goal. Where the desire to hit the target becomes the guiding force behind an arrow shot! A channelised desire makes the pathway to your destination. An amoeba wouldn’t have become a lion without the desire line!-- VS