Acharya Prashant addresses the conflict between societal conditioning, which promotes working for results, and the principle of desireless action (Nishkamta). He clarifies that one must engage in life's race not by leaving behind these tendencies, but by fighting against them despite their presence. Using the analogy of the Mahabharata war, he explains that a warrior does not retreat upon seeing the strength of formidable opponents like Karna and Drona but instead roars back, demonstrating their own power. To begin with the mindset that the opponent is stronger is to invite defeat, much like Duryodhana did. He advises the questioner to challenge and scold himself daily to stay on the right path. The spiritual journey is likened to penetrating a strategic battle formation (vyuh-rachna). As one defeats the outer, weaker opponents, one encounters progressively stronger ones. The more you win, the greater the warrior you will face. This is a sign of progress, not failure. The joy of the struggle deepens as the opponents become more formidable, similar to how a match between two great players is more enjoyable than one between novices. This, he says, is the benefit of Brahmavidya (knowledge of the ultimate). Acharya Prashant further explains that if the motive for desireless action is merely to end one's own suffering, it will lead to the pursuit of personal pleasure, which ultimately increases suffering. The only way to end personal suffering is to forget it and focus on alleviating the suffering of the collective. When compassion for others surpasses self-interest, one transcends personal boundaries. In the process of helping others, one's own suffering is left behind and diminishes. This is the essence of NishkamtaтАФnot acting for oneself. The greatness of a sage or an enlightened being lies not in having no personal pain, as they are also human. Their greatness is demonstrated by their choice to act for a larger cause despite their personal issues, thereby ignoring their own pain. They transcend their personal suffering by focusing on the collective good.
