Today, I want to share a small yet profound experience that recently (yesterday, to be precise) touched my heart and reinforced the timeless wisdom imparted in the Bhagavad Gita and other sacred scriptures.
Contents of the Article
The Experience
On my usual commute home from the office, I found myself aboard a crowded bus (yes, I mostly use public transport). The journey was quite ordinary until an elderly person entered. The tired lines on his face spoke of a long day, and it was evident he could use a seat. Without a second thought, I offered him mine. To my surprise, he politely declined, explaining that he would disembark after a few stops.
As I sat there, I realized something profound was happening within me. A sense of joy and contentment washed over me—a feeling I can only describe as spiritual fulfillment. It dawned on me that this small act of offering my seat, though refused, had stirred my soul in the most beautiful way.
The Bhagavad Gita Connection
In the Bhagavad Gita and other Vedic, Puranic, and Upanishadic texts, we encounter the concept of “selfless service” or “seva.” It’s the idea that true happiness and spiritual growth lie in acts of kindness and service to others without expecting anything in return.
🕉️ “Your right is indeed to perform dutiful actions, but not to the rewards. Never consider yourself as the creator of the rewards of actions, and there must never be an attachment to inaction.” (Bhagavad Gita 2.47)
This verse from the Gita reminds us that we have control over our actions but not over the outcomes. In my simple act of offering a seat, I wasn’t concerned about the outcome or recognition. I was solely focused on the act itself—a genuine offering from the heart.
The Learning
The scriptures emphasize that such selfless acts are a means to purify the heart, cultivate humility, and ultimately connect with the divinity that resides within us all. They lead us toward a path of spiritual growth and fulfillment, where the ego gradually dissolves, making way for compassion, empathy, and love.
The Gita also teaches us that selfless acts can create a ripple effect, inspiring others to follow suit. In offering my seat, I may have unknowingly sown the seeds of kindness in the hearts of fellow commuters.
As we navigate our daily lives, let’s remember the beauty of selfless service. It’s not the grand gestures that matter most but the sincerity and love we infuse into our actions. The Bhagavad Gita and our spiritual journey remind us that even the smallest acts of kindness can bring us closer to our true selves and the divinity within.
May we continue to be inspired by the wisdom of the scriptures and find joy in the simple, selfless acts that light up our souls.
