GAIN OR LOSS?

GAIN OR LOSS?


What have I gained? What have I lost?
Or, did I change at all?
Has my sojourn in this life been
An uprise or a fall?

Shall I lament that I could not
Go as far as the rest?
Shall I be content that I have
Not abandoned the quest?

Whether I get the fruit or not
Is not for me to think.
I must keep on charting the path,
Whether I swim or sink.

Keep on doing what you ought to
Without fear or desire.
Don’t be lazy, don’t sloth or stop.
Let life be full of fire.


• Written in 8-6-8-6, abcb format

• The last stanza conveys the essential message of Hinduism, enshrined in chapter 2, verse 47, of Gita [pronounced—Geethaa], one of the core books of Hindu religion: “Do your duty; don’t covet the reward; don’t be a means of getting the reward; but, beware, don’t ever be idle”.

http://www.asitis.com/2/47.html
http://www.bhagavadgitaasitis.com/2/47/en


M C Gupta