Unleashing Productivity through Determination 

by Gauranga Darsana Dasa 

In the sacred confines of our temple, I once entered the worship room for my service of cleansing the vessels. Firstly, I had to clean a good lot of copper cups, traditionally known as acamana patras, integral in the worship of the deities in temples.  

Our general practice is to immerse copper vessels in tamarind water where copper’s encounter with tamarind swiftly restores its brilliance. We had a big steel vessel that held a solution of tamarind water, where all the small copper cups were submerged by the preceding volunteer. 

Upon commencing my service, I discovered one copper cup afloat in the tamarind water, not fully immersed. As I lifted it, I found the portion of the cup beneath the water revealed a pristine, bright pink shine, but the remaining portion was blackish. I tried to clean it with a scrubber and soap, but it wasn’t that fruitful.  

I kept the cup back in the tamarind water, this time fully submerging it. I then washed the remaining vessels, and after some time, took the cup out and found it shining. This incident made me reflect on a profound lesson from the Bhagavad-gita: “True excellence arises when the mind is fully immersed in the task at hand.” 

Recalling the incident, I recognized the significance of immersion. Just as the half-immersed cup was only partially clean, a distracted mind can only yield incomplete results. In contrast, a fully absorbed mind, much like the completely immersed copper cups, assimilates knowledge and produces optimal outcomes. We need to cultivate absorption in our endeavors to unlock the depths of productivity. 

The Power of Determination

Immersing our mind and intelligence in the task at hand enhances productivity and guarantees a more fulfilling outcome. On the contrary, succumbing to distractions and diverting our minds to unproductive things hampers the attainment of our goals.  

In this regard, Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita (2.41), that successful people are those who have one pointed focus on their goals, while unsuccessful people get distracted by many things.  

vyavasayatmika buddhir 

ekeha kuru-nandana 

bahu-sakha hy anantas ca 

buddhayo ’vyavasayinam 

“Those who are determined to attain their goals, fully focus on the necessary means to attain the goal, without getting diverted towards irrelevant things. But the intelligence of those who are not determined is diverted towards so many things, and they ultimately cannot reach their goals.” (Gita 2.41) 

Arjuna, the foremost student of the Bhagavad-gita, stands as a paragon of focus and determination. As a student of his military teacher, Drona, Arjuna exhibited full immersion in his learning and thus became his teacher’s favorite student. His unyielding commitment serves as a beacon, underscoring the significance of these attributes in the pursuit of our objectives in life. 

Once, Dronacarya wanted to test his students. He tied a wooden bird to the top of a tree and asked each prince to prepare to shoot it down. As they aimed at the bird with their arrows, Drona asked them to describe what they saw. Most of the princes broadly depicted what they saw — their teachers, their colleagues, the tree, the sky, the garden, the wooden bird on the branch, and so on. Drona then asked Arjuna. Arjuna replied, “I see only the bird’s eye.” 

Impressed, Drona told his students, ‘A focused warrior sees only his target, and nothing else.’  

Arjuna’s singular focus and determination enabled him to achieve mastery in archery. Such is the focus required to attain our purposes, whether material or spiritual, despite a plethora of allurements and distractions in this world.  

Success in any endeavour is directly proportional to the depth of our determination and focus. Can we develop determination similar to Arjuna’s? Absolutely. But the most important key to develop determination is discernment. 
 

Discernment Aids Determination

The mind houses multiple desires that are developed when our senses interact with sense objects and people. But all the desires of the mind are not beneficial, some are even harmful. Although the mind instigates us to fulfil all its desires, we need to equip our intelligence with the ability to discriminate between the beneficial and the harmful. The ancient texts give us the key to attain the goals: Anukulyasya sankalpah pratikulyasya varjanam: “Accept the favorable and abandon the unfavourable.” 

Possessing the right discrimination between the good and the bad, the right and the wrong, the auspicious and the inauspicious, empowers our decision-making. Discrimination ensures that our choices align with the overarching purpose of our lives.  

Intelligent discrimination of the mind’s desires and working on beneficial desires with determination help us attain our life’s purposes. Such a refined and intelligent choice of things to do and well-thought-out execution plans keep our life’s course productive. Thus, we can safeguard ourselves from potential distractions. Building a shield against diversions ensures a steadfast journey towards our meaningful objectives. 

True determination based on such discernment is not deterred by obstacles; instead, challenges become stepping stones to a stronger resolve. It is a mindset that defies demotivation, emphasizing the need to persist in the face of adversity. 

Discernment also helps us use our time judiciously. Time, a precious resource, demands thoughtful utilization. When we value time, and acknowledge that we have limited lime in life, we can become determined to focus on our goals, by fully immersing ourselves in the means to attain those goals. Such immersion elevates productivity and enhances the quality of our endeavors through effective time management. 

So, are discernment in desires and determination in endeavors the only parameters to attain worthy goals in life? Here is an answer that makes the discussion more complete.  

The Triad of Attainment

Having a worthy and well-thought-out desire is great, but it must be followed by determined endeavor. Sincere efforts are great but they must be sanctioned by higher powers. Therefore, prayer becomes a necessary part of life’s journey to attain anything. Desire, endeavor and prayer form the trinity of tools to attain worthy goals.  

Thoughtful desire and determined action, coupled with sincere prayer, constitute a formidable approach. However, the ultimate sanction lies in the Lord’s mercy. Our desires must align with values, and efforts must be sincere and consistent, but they must be approved, blessed and sanctioned by the Almighty Lord as well. So, we need to offer prayers to the Lord before and during the execution of any plans and be detached from the results. We should do our best and leave the rest to divine intervention.  

Aligning our minds and intellect with devotional practices of meditation and prayers brings clarity, purpose and an unwavering commitment to our ultimate goal. 

Through discrimination in desire, determination in endeavor, and devotion in prayer, we pave the way for goal attainment. The synergy of these elements propels us towards success, making our journey purposeful and enriching. Such achievements are materially useful and spiritually meaningful. 

This is a chapter from the book “From Chaos to Calm” written by Gauranga Darshan Das, published by Penguin Ananda in July 2024.  

Gauranga Darsana Dasa (www.gaurangadarshan.com), a disciple of His Holiness Radhanath Swami, is the dean of Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha at ISKCON Govardhan Eco Village, outside Mumbai, and a member of ISKCON Board of Examinations. He is a sastric teacher and is the author of Gita Subodhini, Bhagavata Subodhini, Chaitanya Subodhini, Disapproved but Not Disowned, Bhagavata Pravaha, and other books. 

Practices for Inner Balance  

1. Practice Immersion in Tasks: Stay fully present in your tasks by eliminating distractions, creating a focused workspace and setting specific time blocks for undisturbed work.  

2. Cultivate Determination: Set clear goals, break them into manageable chunks, create a plan with milestones and consistently work towards your objectives, displaying resilience in overcoming obstacles. 

3. Develop Discernment: Distinguish between beneficial and harmful desires, and prioritize tasks that contribute positively to your life. 

4. Manage Your Time Wisely: Use your time judiciously by aligning tasks with goals. Create a daily schedule that balances your work, personal life and relaxation. Prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency. 

5. Incorporate Prayer and Devotion: Integrate prayer and devotional practices for spiritual clarity. Dedicate time for meditation, aligning goals with higher values, seeking guidance and cultivating gratitude.