A Very Fine And Great Difference

Arjun says to Krishna: You praise both the renunciation of work as well as its unselfish performance — so which is better? Krishna’s answer is that the renunciation of work and its unselfish performance both lead to the soul’s salvation . But of the two, the unselfish performance of work is better than its renunciation. The reason? Action is better than inaction ; even the maintenance of one’s physical life cannot be effected without action and the true worker is also the true renouncer for he does his work in a detached spirit. So, naturally, one wants to know how working in a detached spirit would pan out in daily life. 

Today’s ET carries the story of how Ford now wants to roll out compact cars and ultimately drive in all models into India in order to realise the dream of its founder , Henry Ford, to open up the highways for everybody. This is because the company’s new chief executive (CE) has realised the flawed strategy of rolling out the rickety Escort model way back in 1998 and the folly of not producing right-sized and right-priced vehicles here which subsequently saw it cede space to Asian rivals such as Hyundai and Honda.

But this would mean that the CE also has a dream. He is apparently motivated enough to undo past damage, see the company make a turnaround in the future and make its presence felt in a much bigger way than before. This would ultimately translate into profits and more business and then even more profits which would, in turn, mean he would be held in high esteem for the reversal of Ford’s fortunes and it becoming a force to reckon with in the Indian automobile industry .

It appears at least, that neither has he renounced work nor is he working in a detached spirit. Yet a person like the ceef executive could also comment along with Radhakrishnan that we must be inspired by the hope of embodying ideals in earthly institutions. In a tired age we adopt the gospel of renunciation and endurance; in an age of hope and energy we emphasise active service in the world. Or as the Christian philosopher Boethius said: “He never goes to heaven who is content to go alone.” And if the CE’s right, the end result for Ford would still be the same because “before enlightenment trees and mountains appear like trees and mountains whereas after enlightenment trees and mountains appear like trees and mountains.” If only we knew the difference.

Mukul Sharma