Readers will be aware that in the Bhagawad Geeta there is no mention or promotion of any religious community. The word religion –
is used in the Geeta to mean ‘duty’, just as there is a religion (duty) of a king, of a teacher, a student, or of Brahmans and of Kshatriyas (warriors). It is a practical guide for day-to-day life and not necessarily a treatise with high level ‘philosophy’. Shrikrishna gives very practical tips in His message to Arjun.
In the 18th chapter, 14th stanza, Shrikrishna describes five factors responsible for performing a task,
Adhishthaan means ‘body’. It is believed that the soul (Atman) stays in our body and gets all the tasks performed. Thus, if there is no body then nothing can be done. We can achieve all things only through our body. Therefore, it is also said – 
Which means that the body is the first medium of achieving all religions – or discharging all duties.
Karta – The doer. In philosophical or spiritual terms, the soul gets everything done. Karta also refers to 
or ego. Everybody feels that he/she is doing the work. In reality, however, everybody is merely an instrument in the hands of the Supreme Power (or God). It is a false belief – ego – if one feels that one is doing the task oneself; it is the Supreme Power that gets it done through him/her.
Karanam – is resources or equipment or tools. In spiritual terms, it is our mind and various organs (indriyas). All our organs are the instruments in the hands of the soul – which is the real doer.
Cheshta – is ‘efforts’. Different types of efforts or actions.
Thus, the body, the doer, the equipment and actual efforts are the first four factors.
Daivam – The fifth factor is ‘Fate’ or ‘Destiny’ or even the unknown that is beyond our control. It is the power that controls the organs. Thus, despite the presence of all four factors, sometimes the task is not performed or completed successfully. Destiny is the fifth but equally important factor.
This is the beauty of Indian philosophy. Even the Gods cannot escape Destiny. Ram, Krishna and all other Gods also suffered in their lives in some way or other. They also tasted failures. They committed mistakes and even received ‘curses’. They also got ‘punished’ at times. That was their Destiny.
Therefore, the message is, we need to be down-to-earth. We should never boast about our physical power, wealth, resources, intellect and so on. We should always take into consideration the Destiny factor while planning anything. That is why we have Plan A, Plan B and so on.
At the same time, Destiny is not the sole factor. We should not be fatalists. Destiny helps only those who help themselves; or who have the first four factors in place. God favours the brave.
We experience this in every walk of life. In examinations, sports, wars, artistic performances, court proceedings, and even routine tasks like travelling, cooking, etc. Success can never be guaranteed. In cricket, it is often described as ‘glorious uncertainty’.
We professionals always need to bear this in mind. We experience this very often.
Let us offer our ‘Namaskaar’ to this very realistic philosophy.
