"A Reflection on the Hindu Concept of Niscamakarma" Reaction Paper
The article first gave a detailed background of the Bhagavad Gita from the epic Mahabharata. It discussed the war waged upon relatives, the Pandavas and the Kauravas. It exhibits the prowess warrior Arjuna, a member of the Pandavas and belongs to the ksatria (warrior class), would somehow doubt and think about neglecting his obligations, due to the unbearable fact that he has to kill his own flesh and blood. But God somehow enlightened him, through the words of his good friend Krishna (one of the avatars of the God Vishnu). And through their heart-to-heart talk Krishna, somehow elucidated him about his moral duties as a member of the ksatria. That he must fulfill what his caste requires him to do and disregard any worldly desire or biases that comes along the way. Thus, offering these selfless actions to God. That is where the moral virtue Niskamakarma comes along. This virtue literally means no-pleasure-action, it is an action done not because you like to, but because it has to be done. The Hindus believed that Karma such as Niskamakarma, which emphasizes pure, selfless and dutiful actions, a noble act done for its own sake, would somehow help them emancipate their souls from the Samsara (cycle of reincarnation) and attain the liberation of Moksha. Same goes for the rest of us; Niskamakarma simply shows us that our actions should not be based upon our pleasures nor our worldly desires. That we should do our God given duty no matter what the cost is; and through this we give glory and honor to the Father of Creation. Bibliography
Karunungan Vol.16, pages 5-7; Alfredo P.
Karunungan Vol.16, pages 5-7; Alfredo P.
Bibliography: Karunungan Vol.16, pages 5-7; Alfredo P. Co