Knowledge with logical application, means and modes are the key to success. Action is important but presenting and marketing is important as well. Taking the audience along gradually and diplomacy in communication matters. One may not get immediate success, recognition or reward, but it helps develop one’s confidence and knowledge and pays elsewhere. Do your best without looking for immediate results. Spiritual success is more important than material success and recognition. One should be happy to have produced desired outcomes. Every action pays back in time in different ways. Material success lies in the eyes of beholders, Spiritual success is the self-assessment within, by the doer himself or herself, which renders true bliss intrinsically. Imagine how satisfied and blissful you feel when you help someone selflessly. However, boundaries need to be recognized, such that others do not exploit you unethically. Strive for excellence, die for nothing should be the motto.
Spiritual principles can impressively affect the material outcomes. Actions with intelligent strategies and core competencies is the first ingredient to success. A disposition indifferent to success or failure is the next. Many intelligent people in the world hardly get any recognition as it is not easy to find right evaluators and mentors. Einstein got no medal for his theory of relativity, gravity and theoretical physics as people could not understand it then. But today Einstein is quoted in every book of science. His Purusharth was not hungry for material rewards. Politicians who bring change in the world do not imagine the outcomes, but the actions needed. So is the case with most successful businessmen, celebrities, sportsmen, journalists, writers, socialists and so many people dedicated to their goals, selflessly. Purusharth is spiritual success, dedicated to the God. The love and respect one gathers by benevolent actions is far blissful than any other rewards. Tamil Nadu ex-Chief Minister, (late) Ms. Jayalalithaa, despite having corruption cases against her, got so much adulation from the people of Tamil Nadu for a simple reason that she was actively dedicated to the poor in state and opened many ultra-low-cost food courts and health centres. The policy of King of Bhutan is remarkable. Despite being a small nation with very little GDP, they consider Gross National Happiness (GNH) as main parameter of Development and progress. The King of Bhutan is highly respected and loved for being caring. Sankhya sense does not recommend shortcuts to acquire wealth or concentration thereof. Sustainable economies depend on optimal redistribution of wealth to maintain healthy money circulation. If the people do not have buying power, sales and therefore riches would be destroyed. What is the optimal disposable income that would maximize the country’s economic growth, is the question to economists.
Intelligent Actions are the FIRST of Success mantras.
Endowed with wisdom, be free from any dilemma of good or bad results of actions (with such clarity of doing the right thing) get engaged at once as from that Buddhi Yog (union with wisdom), excellence in action is bound to follow.
Budhi Yog is about union of work processes with intellect or thinking mind, conscience, reasoning and wisdom. By best of thoughts and multifarious analysis one should act. This eventually leads to best of one’s actions.
Second success mantra is to free yourself from the results of Actions. Success or failure do not matter; anyways they pay off.
Wise, engaged in intellectual pursuits, having abandoned the fruits of their actions feel true freedom from the fetters of bondages of this birth. Such wise men seek liberation effortlessly.
Without any expectations of fruits, souls (minds) in such disposition, having renounced all ownerships (before actions); with the body alone they perform their actions; doing so they do not incur sin.
Those who are pre-contented without any particular desire or gains, who are free from all dilemmas or rivalries, free from envy, maintaining equanimity in success or failure, yet incessant to duties are never bound. (They never get caught emotionally to fruits of actions and materialism around.)
People in such dispositions are free from any psychological pressures. It the name of God they perform their best. Fear of failure subverts efficiencies, despite skills and capabilities. Negative repercussions could result in:-
Nervous breakdown,
Dejection after poor performance.
Both kinds of emotional trauma results in reduced confidence. Efforts do not go waste. They pay elsewhere. They are Karma Yogi’s success mantra.
Third success mantra is to speak mellifluously and maintain genteel persona. Avoid being arrogant, be humble.
Speech that does not provoke (Humility in expressions and mellowed speech), truthful yet benevolent to loved ones, practiced through self-study (ensuring cool) and such practice is austerity by speech. In any social group people gain double the respect if their language is good and manners pleasing.
Commentary: Manu Smriti states:
“Satyam ApiPriyamBruyat, Na Bruyat Satyam Apriyam”
‘One should speak truth, but in pleasant ways; one should not speak the truth that is unpleasant’.
Maintaining austerity of speech is a part of culture in almost all countries. However, the East and the West have different perspectives on methods of communication. While Asian countries do not prefer to say ‘No’ on face, western considers it as frank and honest communication. In Asian countries, addressing ‘sir’ is a part of respect, but in the West it is considered sign of subjugation. Countries like India unable to follow its own tradition, is often inclined towards west. Yet, Many countries in the West are now gradually acknowledging the importance of speech and humility. These are general observations. Every country has its style. Canadians are humble, Americas are ethical, British are diplomatic, Europeans straight forward – they are all good behavioural attributes but can be improved with humility and mellifluous speech. Think before you say and play safe. Respecting others does not harm or irks anyone.
Pleasing etiquette, congenial demeanor, being non-critical of others, quietly self-suppressant (absorbing imperfections around, forgiving mistakes, yet maintaining aplomb), thinking constructively and positively, without malice to anyone — this is called austerity by the mind and in thoughts.
It is advised to wear a smile and greet people (in the West the culture is to greet everyone you meet and see even while walking on road). Everyday appreciate people around for their good performance, expressions and gestures. Act in ways to let your associates feel comfortable with you. Do not carp about wrong things but try to improve them within your capacity.
Fourth success mantra is to build efficiency by practice. Perseverance, resilience and grit lead to success.
If you are unable to fix your mind steadily then meditate upon me (i.e. Brahm and its sciences), then by practice, those desirous of Me would reach unto Me gradually (through meditation), O’ Arjun!
Practice makes difficult tasks easy. The most difficult things are often left for the last. For exams, it would be a good strategy to strengthen your weaknesses by practicing. What you are good at you score high marks but work hard in the subjects that you are weak. But during the exams, the principle of core competency apply; score first by doing what you already know. Sankhya yog and satwik Buddhi render conscience to apply right strategies fit to meet the objectives. No principle or strategy fits everywhere. Design the applicability.
If unable to practice meditation, then dedicate yourself to my deeds (Karma Yog). As you devote all actions to me (selfless devotion unto God), you shall attain perfection in performance.
If you are not able to do even this, then, taking refuge in me and my works, renouncing all the fruits of actions and desires, establish yourself in me selflessly and incessantly (thus, engage in action and practices).
Incessant practice and resilience bring success. Dedicating actions to Gods, relieves one from series of failures. Note that from Shloke 12.3 until this point, there is gradual recommendation of Bhaktiyog, Karmayog, Sankhyayog and Dhyanyog, depending on what suits to various people.
Fifth success mantra is to live with your Team. Even if inefficient manage them.
