Acharya Prashant addresses the dilemma of a person named Ricky, who feels pressured by societal standards of success despite being personally content. He notes that Ricky, an engineer who left a stable job, is now labeled a failure by society because he has been without a conventional job for two years. Acharya Prashant points out that the concept of success as defined by the world is entirely absent from spiritual and religious scriptures. He emphasizes that neither sages nor gurus ever prioritized success; instead, they often spoke against the pursuit of results. Referring to the teachings of Shri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, Acharya Prashant explains the principle of selfless action, or performing actions without the desire for specific outcomes. He highlights the verse that advises one to never focus on the fruits of action, asserting that Shri Krishna himself stands against the modern notion of success. The speaker argues that the obsession with success is rooted in illusion, which he defines as a burden on the mind that creates a false sense of deficiency. This perceived lack drives individuals to chase external goals, leading to a life of constant unrest. Acharya Prashant questions the audience about the true motive behind their desires. He suggests that while people chase material gains like cars or status, their ultimate goal is actually peace and completeness. However, fulfilling one desire only leads to the birth of another, resulting in a cycle of endless dissatisfaction. He posits that true success is the attainment of peace, which cannot be reached through the fulfillment of worldly desires. He warns that most people spend their entire lives in this futile chase, never finding stillness even at the moment of death. The speaker introduces an alternative way of living: acting out of joy and love rather than desire. He explains that while desire-driven action stems from a feeling of being incomplete, selfless service arises from a state of being already whole. In this state, one acts not to gain something, but as an expression of their inherent bliss. He concludes by advising parents to stop pushing their children toward success and social validation, which only breeds inferiority. Instead, they should foster a sense of completeness and authenticity in their children.
