You Are Not Alone
A lot of people these days are talking about stress. Take a moment to define stress in your own words before you continue reading. That will make this reflection more meaningful.
Stress arises when we do not perceive ourselves, other people, our surroundings, our activities, and life events as they truly are. It begins when we believe that we alone are responsible for everything happening to us. But that is not the case. You are only one of the five factors that contribute to the outcomes of life.
Krushna said…
adhishta:nam thattha: kartha:
karanam cha prutthag vidham |
vividha: cha prutthak che:shta:
daivam chaiva:thra panchamam || 18.14
Krushna explains to Arjuna: You are thinking you are doing everything but there are primary factors involved.
The five primary factors, or “shareholders,” are: the physical body; the indwelling individual soul (ourselves — the “driver”); the instruments such as the senses and limbs; the vital energy that flows through these instruments; and God — the indwelling Supreme Power, the ultimate governor of the system.
Whatever activity we do is the result of the combined role of all five, not just the individual soul alone.
Understanding this changes the way we relate to success, failure, responsibility, and ultimately, stress in life.
Some may argue that if you see yourself as only one among five factors, you might become passive or give up, assuming that the other factors are not supporting you. This concern is addressed clearly in the scriptures, which strongly emphasize the importance of action.
The Vedas declare, kurvanneveha karma:ni jiji:visecchataṃ sama:h – One must perform one’s duties; there is no escape from action. Krushna Himself urges Arjuna to fight in the Kurukshetra war. Arjuna wished to withdraw, but Krushna reminded him of his responsibility and guided him to act.
We are given limited freedom — like a pendulum in a clock or a fish in a pond. Both can move, but only within defined boundaries. A simple example to test the boundary – try turning your head 180 degrees to look at what’s behind you. We can’t. One must do their work with this knowledge.
Life, therefore, must be lived beautifully — with the Lord’s wisdom guiding both mind and action, and with effort offered to the fullest of one’s capacity. When we live with this understanding, our attitude toward life itself begins to transform.
Do not view life as a problem; fear of loss will overshadow your abilities and prevent you from realizing your potential. Do not treat life merely as a challenge either, for that may awaken the urge to defeat others and can even lead to harming them, distracting you from your true purpose.
Instead, see life as a sacred opportunity given by God to perform your duties. Act wholeheartedly and rightly. Remember that the results encountered along the journey are only intermediate milestones. Walking the path properly is the real victory. And when you realize that you are not the sole doer, you also discover that you are never alone on this journey.
When the mind remains steady in this way, stress gradually loses its hold over you. You are not alone, and therefore you do not need to carry everything by yourself — especially because you have a supreme companion walking with you through life.
– From the discourse of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
– 14th March 2026, IIT Kharagpur
Q&A – IIT Kharagpur
Student: Swamiji, you said everything starts with thoughts, and thoughts lead to action. How do you keep positive thoughts and thoughts directed to God so that one can avoid negative aspects in life?
Student: Swamiji, most of our parents aged between 40 and 50 are not able to be fully energetic. Whereas you are! Is there any routine that you follow for being this way?
Swamiji’s Responses…
