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Philosophy of Swami Vivekananda
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He who has given up attachment to action and its fruits, does nothing though he may ever be engaged in action. He, who acts for the sake of action, all actions of that liberated man melt away. When a man ceases to have any attachment either for the object of senses or for actions and has renounced all thoughts of the world, he is said to have attained yoga.
According to Swami Vivekananda, there are some who are really the salt of the earth and who work for the sake of work. They work just because good will come out of it. If a man does without any selfish desire and never thinks about the results of his action, gets the highest. Nobody should think about the result of the action as the giver of the fruit of action is somebody else.
Karmanya eva dhikāras te ma phaleşu kadacana ma Karmaphalahetur bhūr ma te sango'stv akarmani.28
Vivekananda holds that a man who can work for five days, or even for five minutes, without any selfish motive, has the capacity to become a powerful moral giant. It is hard to do it but is certainly not impossible. In our heart of hearts we know the value of it. As for example, a canon ball flying through the air goes a long distance and falls. Another ball is cut short in its flight by striking against a wall, and the impact generates intense heat. This self-control, according to Swami Vivekananda, tends to produce a mighty will, a character, which makes a man of character viz., Christ, Buddha etc. Foolish man does not know this secret. In Swamiji's view, even a fool may rule the whole world if he works and waits. "Let him wait a few years, restrain that foolish idea of governing and when that idea is fully gone he will be a power in the world."29
He is of the view that even the lowest forms of works are not to be escaped. He who knows no better works for selfish end. Everyone should always try to get towards higher and higher motives. We have the right to work, but not of the fruits. One should not bother one's head to think about the result of the work.
