Nish-karma Karm, or Nishkam Karm

Sometime back we were conducting a 3-day Workshop on Managerial Effectiveness for senior executives of a leading firm. One the sessions was on the ‘Art and Science of Work’ which is based on the concept of nishkam karm (Chapter 2, verse 47 of the Bhagwad Gita).

Our experience suggests that a handful of participants who attend such workshops come with a pre-conceived mindset. So, it was not surprising for us when a participant, while the concept was being explained, responded thus, “So, Art of and Science of Work is all about nish-karma karm (doing no work)?,” with an impish grin. A few others nodded their heads in the affirmative.

Such a perception about nishkam karm (detached involvement with work) is quite common. It is usually perceived to be other-worldly. Nishkam Karm (NK) is deemed conducive for renunciants and monks in the remote Himalayas. So, the question is: why is the true import of the concept of NK not understood properly?

One of the most popular arguments against NK is that by not expecting fruit (reward) in return of one’s work we shall lose motivation to work and thus, fail miserably to achieve professional excellence and success in life. “Do you expect us to leave our jobs and become sadhus?”. Prima facie this view seems apt. The underlying message is loud and clear. The NK approach to work is impractical and anathema to pursuit of material well-being.

The fundamental premise of NK is that any work will result in generation of reward (karma phal) by default. It is inevitable. For example, receiving a reward (like promotion, increment percentage, award, appreciation etc.) is dependent on variables beyond our control. If the reward is received as desired by us, we are joyous and feel ecstatic. But, on so many other occasions the reward eludes us, or is not delivered as per our expectations. Such a situation makes us feel dejected and disappointed. We feel demotivated in performing our assigned duties. We lose focus, the quality of work suffers and performance dips. Is this not the reality?

Actually, appreciation of the spirit of NK helps us to be more resilient and enable us to remain balanced amidst success and failure - samatwa. As a result, we are better equipped to handle reverses in our lives (professional/ personal) and thus, negate the impact of stress. Thus, NK is not about not doing anything. On the contrary, such an attitude towards work involves rigorous perseverance and development of will-power. A nish karma karmi does not fit into this scheme. A nishkam karmi approaches work with steely resolve by not entertaining constant mental calculations of getting, or not getting a reward. It prevents dissipation of psychological energy.