Success is a universal human hankering. In both our professional and personal spaces, we strive to be exceptional achievers. There is hardly anyone who does not crave success and fulfilment. Hence, we are schooled from childhood to persevere continuously if we wish to scale the pinnacle of success.
However, despite the hard work put in, success becomes a shifting target when not complemented with the right mindset. For many, success lies in the next promotion, a bigger apartment, and a more luxurious car. For some, success is about becoming a billionaire; for others, it is about fame, position, and social prestige. If financial prosperity or fame were truly the measure of success, then multi-millionaires should be the happiest individuals on the planet. However, in reality, that is not the case.
Howard Hughes, the American business magnate and film director, was among the richest individuals of his era. Despite his worldwide fame and prosperity, his final years were marked by deep psychological distress. Isolated from society, he suffered from severe depression and paranoia, ultimately dying in a state of profound mental anguish.
His story serves as a powerful reminder that material wealth or prestige alone do not guarantee inner peace, lasting success, or fulfillment. What, then, is the parameter for true success? It is the purity of intention behind our efforts.
What is Pure Intention?
Human actions are often driven by a wide range of motivations. For some, the intention may stem from ego—seeking self-glorification or personal recognition. Others may act out of envy, with the aim of outshining or belittling those around them. Some are motivated by the desire to fulfill sensual cravings or satisfy material urges.
On the other hand, there are individuals whose actions are guided by noble values, a sense of duty, or faith in the divine wisdom found in sacred scriptures. The spectrum of human intention is vast and varied, as illustrated by the following story.
In the sacred town of Vrindavan, a temple was under construction. Several workers were transporting trays of bricks across the site when a sage approached them.
He asked the first worker, “What are you doing?” The man replied bluntly, “Can’t you see? I’m carrying a load of bricks.” The sage then posed the same question to a second worker. He responded, “I’m earning a living to support my family.” Finally, the sage turned to a third worker and asked the same question. With a peaceful smile, the man said, “I’m building a temple for Lord Krishna.”
Though all three individuals were engaged in the same physical task, their perspectives—and more importantly, their intentions—were vastly different. This story beautifully illustrates how the meaning behind our actions is shaped not just by what we do, but by why we do it.
The third worker laboured not for money or comfort, but as an offering to God. The task is the same, but the consciousness is entirely different.
While the first two workers are invested in the fruits of their work, being materially attached to them, the last is working to serve God. He turned his work into worship by simply transforming his intention.
Four Types of Intentions in Vedic Philosophy
According to Vedic literature, people's intentions can be classified based on the modes of material nature:
Swami Mukundananda narrates two contrasting tales that illustrate the range of intentions. The first is the extreme example of working with impure intention. It is about the Satyam scam, in which its chairman, Ramalinga Raju, committed the largest corporate fraud in India to reach the pinnacle of success. But, no sooner did he peak than the collapse came.
In stark contrast stands the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji, who offered his kingdom to his Guru, Samarth Ramdas, and continued to rule with a spirit of service—a legacy that continues to be lauded even centuries later.
These contrasting stories suggest that, regardless of the effort we put in, true, timeless success cannot be achieved without pure intentions.
Pure or Impure Intention: How Do We Know?
Having understood that we need to purify the intention behind our exertions, one may ask: “How do we know that our intentions are pure?”
Swami Mukundananda answers this by drawing a powerful analogy. He says, If you place your hand in fire, two things happen:
I. The hand begins to burn (a harmful effect) II. You will feel pain (a warning signal)
The hand burning is a terrible thing, but pain, he explains, is not a curse—it is a blessing. It indicates that something is wrong. We need to withdraw our hand from the fire. Similarly, God has installed emotional "pain sensors" in us—anger, greed, anxiety, fear, and stress. These are cosmic alarms, indicating that our intentions are misaligned with the divine will. When we are stressed or depressed, it is a divine signal that we need to purify our intention behind our works.
Stress: A Signal, Not a Symptom
Why do we experience stress at work or in daily life? Swami Mukundananda explains that stress is not caused by work itself, but by our attachment to the outcomes of that work.
We want things to go a certain way—and dread the possibility of failure. This obsession with results clouds our intellect, reduces efficiency, and leads to tension. He gives a humorous yet profound example: In a job interview, someone under stress might mix up their age and address simply because their mind is too caught up in “what ifs,” such as, “What if my job is outsourced?”
Thus, detachment from outcomes is not a weakness—it’s a superpower. When we are not emotionally entangled in results, our intellect functions calmly, allowing us to perform at peak efficiency.
NATO: The Path To Optimal Performance
Swami Mukundananda introduces the acronym NATO—Not Attached To Outcomes. He illustrates this concept through the example of a seasoned surgeon who has successfully operated on patients for decades. However, when the patient is his own son, he becomes too emotionally involved to perform the surgery himself. Why? Because attachment compromises performance.
Similarly, when we are emotionally invested in the fruits of our labor, our judgment falters. Detachment, on the other hand, leads to clarity, precision, and effectiveness, enabling us to perform at our best.
He extends this idea to the game of golf, where players often become obsessed with scores instead of enjoying the game itself. If we could enjoy the shot, the process, the present moment, our scores—i.e., results—would improve automatically. And so would our experience of the game!
A more effective and fulfilling approach is thus to focus on the effort—not the outcome. This mindset not only brings out the best in our work but also helps us stay calm and centered.
Think about it—our efforts are within our control, but the results? Not always. Outcomes depend on a combination of factors: timing, external circumstances, support from others, actions of competitors, sheer chance, and even divine will. Many of these are beyond our reach. Hence, wisdom lies in doing our best and accepting the outcome with grace.
Karm Yog: Key to Purifying Intention
If attachment lies at the heart of stress, then how do we rise above it? The Bhagavad Gita offers a profound yet practical solution. It does not ask us to suppress or eliminate attachment altogether. Instead, it teaches us to sublimate it—to redirect our attachment toward the Supreme Divine Being. This is the core message of Karm Yog.
So, what does it mean to practice Karm Yog?
Karm Yog is the divine union of karm—our duties and actions in the world—with yog—our inner spiritual connection with God. A Karm Yogi performs every responsibility wholeheartedly, but with the mind lovingly attached to God.
This practice doesn’t advocate renouncing action or escaping our duties in life. Instead, it encourages us to cultivate inner balance and equanimity even in the midst of demanding tasks. When Arjun, overwhelmed and confused, wanted to abandon his responsibilities, Lord Krishna firmly instructed him otherwise:
“No, Arjun! You have a duty—to your family, to society, and to righteousness. Do not abandon it. Become a Karm Yogi.”
As Shree Krishna beautifully states in the Gita:
sarveṣhu kāleṣhu mām anusmara yudhya cha (8.7) "Remember Me at all times and continue to perform your duties."
Karm Yog is a shift—not in what we do, but in why we do it. Most people work for rewards: money, recognition, or comfort. Their minds are preoccupied with the outcome. This craving for results fuels fear, anxiety, and stress.
But Karm Yog flips that mindset. The results of our actions are no longer meant for personal gain—they are offerings to the Divine. The actions remain the same, but the intention is purified. This sacred intention calms the heart and brings peace.
The Gita further elaborates :
yat karoṣhi yad aśhnāsi yaj juhoṣhi dadāsi yat yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kuruṣhva mad-arpaṇam (9.27)
"Whatever you do, eat, offer, give in charity, or practice as austerity—do it as an offering to Me."
When this attitude becomes our inner compass, every task becomes an act of devotion. Karm Yogis work just like anyone else, but their aim is not self-fulfillment—it is God’s pleasure. So, if things do not go as planned, they do not panic or lose their peace. They simply say, “Perhaps this wasn’t God’s will,” and move forward with joy and a sense of surrender.
In this way, by consecrating all works for the pleasure of God, one is freed from attachment. This detachment from outcomes dissolves stress, anxiety, and fear. It brings clarity, calmness, and deep fulfillment. So, Karm Yog is the technique that purifies the intention behind our works. Pure intentions optimize our performance, both materially and spiritually, transforming us into peak performers.
How Pure Intention Remedies Stress
Swami Mukundananda further explains how pure intention relieves us from stress and despair. Feeling upset usually means you were attached to the outcome—it suggests you were working for your own satisfaction, not for God’s pleasure. But if your efforts were truly offered to the Lord, then even if the results don’t meet your expectations, you can remind yourself: “This must be His will.” Let that thought bring you peace.
Of course, it’s important to reflect honestly: ”Was there something I could have done better?” If so, learn from it and move forward with renewed purpose.
When we offer the results of our efforts to God, stress naturally fades. Our work transforms into an act of devotion. We strive for excellence not to prove ourselves, but to please the Divine. In this mindset, work becomes a joyful expression of service—not a burden to endure.
Conclusion
When we are working in pure, divine consciousness, the results of our actions, whether good or bad, do not matter because they do not belong to us. They have been offered to God. By doing so, we not only enhance our efficiency and creativity but also experience deep spiritual fulfillment. Success, thus, lies not in the visible outcomes, but in the intention to learn and grow within, through our works. True performance is not in accomplishing external goals, but in achieving inner purity, peace, and perfection.
Call To Action
1. Know more about the mindset of pure intention. Order your copy of 7 Mindsets for Success, Happiness and Fulfilment at: https://www.jkyog.org/giftshop/product-details/7602382045229
2. Cement your knowledge of Karm Yog by delving into Swami Mukundananda’s Commentary on the Bhagavad Gita at: https://www.jkyog.org/giftshop/product-details/7602381717549
3. Immerse in this Meditation: Offer Your Works to God by Swami Mukundananda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hfcuhovh7U
4. Subscribe to the Swami Mukundananda YouTube channel and find the secrets of peak performance: How Do Top Performers Work without Any Stress? MUST WATCH | Swami Mukundananda on Stress- Management
Resources
● Mukundananda, S. (2022). 7 Mindsets for Success, Happiness and Fulfilment. Rupa. New Delhi, India
● Mukundananda, S. (2022) Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God. Rupa. New Delhi, India
● How Do Top Performers Work without Any Stress? MUST WATCH | Swami Mukundananda on Stress- Management
● How to do KARMA YOGA? Swami Mukundananda | Shree Krishna in Bhagavad Gita | Be STRESS FREE