Similarities Between Ramcharitmanas and Bhagavad Gita:

By: Rajendra Kapil

Fourth Part – Karma is Central to the Universe, or Karma Yoga

Karma is the driving force of life. It plays a significant role in driving
and managing the chariot of life. There are two objectives behind any
action. One is that it is done for personal gains. The second is, that it is
performed for the welfare of society, primarily to help others. That is
why it is stated, in the Ramcharitmanas:

Karam Pradhan Vishw Rachi Rakha, Jo Jas Karahi So Tas Fal Chakha

This means that one will experience the fruit of their actions according
to their intentions. In this nature of the actions, the doer is generally
inspired to do the good deeds. For those who are inclined to perform
bad deeds, there is a warning embedded in it. On the other hand, the
second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita discusses Karma Yoga:

Karmanyevaadhikaraste maa phaleshu kadaachana, Maa karma phala hetur bhoor maa te sango’stv akarmani (BG 2.47)

You have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not
entitled to the positive fruits of your actions. You should not consider
yourself to be the cause of the results of your actions, nor be attached to
inaction.

In this verse, Lord Krishna says, “O Arjuna, you have the full right to
perform your actions, but I will determine what the fruits of those
actions will be. I will evaluate the sincerity of your efforts and the truth
behind your intentions.” We all perform actions daily to fulfill our
personal interests. Sometimes we receive good results, attributing the
credit to our own hard work, which leads to arrogance. When we do not
get the desired outcome, we start blaming others, including God. That is
why the Lord advises Arjuna:

Yogstah Kuruh Karmaani Sangam Tyaktva Dhananjaya, Siddhya
Siddhyo Samo Bhootva Samatvam Yoga Uchyate (BG 2.48)

O Arjuna! Abandon all the attachment to success and failure, and
perform your duty with determination. This state of equanimity is called
yoga.

O Dhananjaya, abandon the attachment and maintain equality in success
and failure while fulfilling your duties; this is the highest form of yoga.
This is Karma Yoga. Such actions are also referred to as Nishkam
Karma. Nishkam means performing actions without any desire, purely
for the purpose of duty, and completing the necessary efforts with
complete integrity. Some people argue that if there is no desire for
success, one will not be motivated to put in the full effort. Now let’s
reverse this situation. If you work with full concentration without
worrying about the outcome or success, then success will naturally come
to you. The choice of the path is ultimately in the devotee’s hands.

A story will further clarify this point. Once, Guru Dronacharya was
teaching his disciples to hit a target. A fake bird was placed on a tree,
and everyone was told to aim for its eye. First, he called Duryodhana
and asked, “What do you see?” Duryodhana replied, “I see the branch on
which a bird is sitting.” Then he called his son Ashwatthama and asked,
“Son, what do you see?” He replied, “I only see the bird.” Finally, he
called Arjuna and asked, “What do you see?” Arjuna, focusing on his
target, replied, “Guruji, I can only see the bird’s eye.” The teacher said,
“Well done, shoot the arrow!” Thus, his concentration became the
reason for his success. Such individuals are called Karma Yogis.

In the Ramcharitmanas, we find two Karma Yogis who dedicate
everything to their master’s work. This is the greatness of their character
and the beautiful dedication of their unconditional love for their master.
The first name is Lakshman, and the second is Hanuman. Lakshman’s
sacrifice and selfless service are highly commendable. When Lord Ram
was asked to go to exile for fourteen years, Lakshman was the most
restless. He insisted on going with him. Lord Ram tried to explain that he had his wife, and there was no one else with their father. But Lakshman, focusing solely on his master’s selfless service, replied:

Deenho Mohi Sikh Niki Gusain, Lagi Agam Apni Kadarai

You have given me a great advice. But believe me, I do not recognize
anyone as my guru or parents except you.

More Sabai Ek Tum Swami, Deenbandhu Ur Antarjami

You are my everything. Please do not leave me. I will convince Urmila.
It is said that Lakshman did not sleep for fourteen years. He selflessly
served Ram with complete dedication day and night. That is why, during
the Ram-Ravana war, when Lakshman was wounded by Meghnath’s
powerful arrow and fell unconscious, Ram started crying:

Jaihoun Avadh Kavan Munh Lai, Naari Hetu Priya Bhai Ganwai

Now, how will I return to Ayodhya? The people will taunt me, saying
that I returned after losing my brother for my wife. O Lakshman, my
condition without you is such that:

Jatha Pankh Binu Khag Ati Deena, Mani Binu Phani Karibar Kahi Heena

As if there is Bird without it’s wings. If I had known that my brother
would leave me in between, I would have refused to obey my father’s
word. Such restlessness can only occur in a Karma Yogi. Lord Ram felt
he had lost the greatest treasure of his life. He began to think that
fighting for Sita was not even worth it any more. The character of such
a Karma Yogi is not found anywhere else. He is ready to fight against
anyone or anything that obstructs Lord Ram’s path.

Another example is when Lakshman is ready to fight to protect Ram.
During their exile, when Bharat was coming to convince Ram with
family and army to return, Lakshman grew suspicious about Bharat’s
arrival with an army, thinking, “Is Bharat coming to fight and destroy

Ram in the forest?” Then, what did he do? Lakshman armed himself
with bow and arrow:

Aaj Ram Sevak Jasu Leun, Bharat Hi Samar Sikhavan Deun

Lakshman is focused solely on action, not on its results or outcomes. He
is determined to act, performing Nishkam Karma. He does not hesitate
from his duty of action, even though it was fighting against his own two
brothers.

The second Karma Yogi is our beloved Hanuman, who is always
engaged in service with a selfless attitude. When he was to go in search
of Sita, he sought advice from Jambavant, asking what his objective
should be, during this search expedition:

Jambvant, Main Poochhun Tohi, Uchit Sikhavan Dihehu Mohi

You just do this, dear one; go find out the where about of Sita and tell
her that help is on it’s way to rescue her very soon.

The rest of deteail, Lord Ram will take care of. Then, Hanuman flew
towards Lanka. Along the way, Mount Mainak appeared and pleaded,
“O Hanuman, please rest here for a while; the journey is very long.”
Hanuman replied:

Ram Kaj Kihe Binu Mohi Kahan Vishram

In this context, there is only loyalty to the work at hand, and complete
integrity in the efforts put forth. This is the hallmark of a true Karma
Yogi. Until he found Sita, he did not rest for a moment. When Hanuman
returned with news of Sita’s well-being, Lord Ram, overwhelmed with
gratitude, could only say:

Sunu Sut Tohi Urin Main Nahi, Dekhoun Kari Vichar Man Mahi

I cannot repay you for the favor you have done for me.
Indeed, the definitions and examples of Karma Yoga are abundant in
both the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramcharitmanas. We only need to
choose these valuable pearls from these scriptures and incorporate them
into our lives.

I bow respectfully to Karma Yogis like Lakshman and Hanuman!!