WORK IS WORSHIP

WORK IS WORSHIP

Work stands for duty. The work is of prime importance. Everyone is involved in some sorts of work. The successive and gradual evolution of human beings from uncivilized form to a civilized form is undoubtedly the product of their assiduous work. We are the man of wisdom because we can work for our progress. Its importance is beyond comparison and, therefore, all religion faiths of the world give work great worth. Without a ray of doubt, it is very important for the fulfillment of life. It is a symbol of sincerity, devotion, commitment, dedication and concentration. The blessings of the work are countless.

Worship stands for a religious activity which has an ingredient of devotion or commitment. It is a means of self-purification. It makes us noble and pious. It gives us internal peace and happiness. It also develops endurance. It makes us to form such good habits as carefulness, punctuality, reliability. It teaches us that God is to be realized not by renouncing the world but by being a part of it. After all, this is God’s world and all work that goes on here are blessed. It develops the sense of promoting ourselves along with other human beings.

Lord Krishana preaches in the Gita the importance of work in human life. He says to Arjuna, “If I ever cease to work, these worlds would perish; nay, I should prove to be the cause of confusion, and of the destruction of these people.” He further adds by saying, “Arjuna, there is no duty in all the three worlds for Me to perform, nor is there anything worth attaining by Me; yet I continue to work. Should I not engage in action, scrupulously at any time, great harm will come to the world; for, Arjuna, men follow My way in all matters.”

Both the work and the worship are two facets of the same quality. Both are equivalents in terms of importance. The world must not only go on as it is but, it should get better and better. This is possible only when ordinary work is shown to have religious significance. This is why the greatest of saints have been great doers of good to people. Some have gone so far to say that God can be realized only through good work done for the poor and the helpless. In this way work has been given the holiness of worship. It has a universal acceptance.

Honest work has the same purifying effects as prayers and meditation. In the hermitages of ancient rishis, the disciples were made to work to the best of their capacity. Work was the main part of their religious training. These views have continued all through the ages. Even today we say that work is worship.

Life without work is nothing. Life becomes sapless in absence of work. Whether work gives happiness or not is a debatable question. Much work is tiring and excess of work is always painful. There are in work all grades, from mere relief to tedium up to the profoundest delights, according to the nature of the work and the abilities of the worker. In most work, success is measured by income and while our capitalistic society continues, this is inevitable.

Work gives relief from boredom. Sometimes work is not interesting but still it is advantageous and better than idleness. Work fills the day with purposeful labour. Most people cannot decide what to do, how to do and when to do things. Most of the idle rich suffer boredom. At times they may find relief in doing sensational things like hunting in Africa or flying round the world. Some of the intelligent rich work hard like the poor. Work undoubtedly makes holidays and leisure more enjoyable. On the other hand, paid work gives chances of success and wealth. Work builds up reputation and continuity of purpose in life. Work, therefore, is desirable.

It will not be an exaggeration to say that it is the firm and constant work that revolutionizes the modern world. It is the work that makes us the master of Nature. Worship is offered to the realization of God. Similarly, work is performed to the achievement of the goals. One who works hard with a strong resolution and an unshaken will attain success and one’s expectations. One must put forth oneself if one yearns for shaping out one’s destiny. One who is aloof from any kind of work has nothing but suffering and plights. Work is prerequisite for everything in this world.

Work is either good or bad. All work is not worship. Work which is valuable, constructive and nourishing for society is worship. The work becomes worship only when it leads us to the well being of all organisms and also dispels darkness of life.