Acharya Prashant explains that the topic of Karma resonates with people because humans are beings that act. Unlike other life forms that perform mostly perfunctory biological functions, mankind is burdened with conscious choice. At every moment, we must choose our actions, leading to the common and unanswered question of "what to do?" This creates a natural affinity for the subject. He states that the popular emphasis on Karma, or action, is misplaced because it comfortably shields the actor, or "Karta." In an ideal world, the focus would be on the Karta, who is at the heart of the matter and in the driver's seat. However, Karma hogs the limelight, causing us to ignore the actor. This is precisely what the actor, the ego, wantsâto remain unexamined so its mischief is not exposed. Addressing the common interpretation of Shri Krishna's teaching to "do your duty without desiring the fruits," Acharya Prashant clarifies that this is a problematic introduction to Karma. One cannot simply immerse oneself in any random action. The first step, as taught by Shri Krishna, is to immerse oneself in the *right* action. The right action is defined as that which has nothing for the doer's personal benefit or gratification. Shri Krishna advises acting for his sake, which means not acting for one's own personal benefits. Only after the right action is defined can one perform it without worrying about the outcome. Therefore, the choice of the right action precedes detachment from the results. The choice of right action is determined by the state of the actor. If an action is done for personal gratification, it is guaranteed to be in the wrong direction, propelled by the ego. Acharya Prashant distinguishes between personal desire ("I want"), social morality ("I should"), and a higher spiritual imperative ("I must"). He notes that in the current age, where personal gratification is paramount, this "mustness" is forgotten. Initially, personal will and "mustness" will conflict. It is only at later stages of a spiritual journey that personal will aligns with what one must do. The book is written to challenge the reader and re-establish the importance of this "mustness."
