Success- from Indian Philosophical and Spiritual Perspective.

During a lighter discussion in our a friends whatsapp group , my a friend Mr Manu Mishra, a Civil Engineer by profession and presently living in UAE asked - What is Success? What our scriptures tell on this Subject. 

What I understood from his question, he wanted to know -  What is Success- from Indian Philosophical and Spiritual Perspective.

So this invoked in my mind, to write on this subject, based on what a little bit I have understood this subject, based on my selfstudy: 

If we try to understand Success from the perspective of *Bhagvad Geeta*, true success is defined by performing our assigned duty with excellence while remaining completely detached from the results.

As per the Bagvad Geeta, the Core Principles of Success are: 

- Focus on Action (Karma Yoga): We have a right only to work, never to the fruits of work (कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते, मा फलेषु कदायन).

- Equanimity (Samatvam): Maintain mental stability and remain balanced in both success and failure. Winning and losing should not disturb your inner peace. (सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा: लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ.)

- Fulfill our Duty (Dharma): Execute our unique, personal responsibility with integrity and skill rather than chasing another person's path. (श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् ।)

- Eliminate Anxiety: Letting go of the obsession with outcomes removes mental stress, which naturally sharpens our focus and improves performance.(कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥)

Next comes, understanding the Success from the perspective of our *Upanishads.* 

As per the Upnishads, the true Success is defined as the complete awakening to our true self (आत्मन) and the attainment of absolute, permanent freedom (मोक्ष).

Upnishads outline a balanced framework for  successful life, as briefed the following:

थर्म (Righteousness): Acting with ethical integrity, moral duty, and absolute truth. This is the foundation of any endeavor.

अर्थ (Prosperity): Acquiring wealth, material assets, and financial security, but earning it through strictly righteous means (Dharmic wealth).

काम (Pleasure): Enjoying sensory pleasures, family life, arts, and love within healthy, ethical bounds.

मोक्ष (Liberation): The ultimate peak of success. Realising that your happiness does not depend on external conditions, thereby breaking free from all internal mental dependencies.

Key Upanishadic Principles of Success

1. The Limit (Temporaryness) of Action (Mundaka Upanishad 1.2.12):

परीक्ष्य लोकान् कर्मचितान् ब्राह्मणो निर्वेदमायान्नास्त्यकृतः कृतेन ।

तद्विज्ञानार्थं स गुरुमेवाभिगच्छेत् समित्पाणिः श्रोत्रियं ब्रह्मनिष्ठम् ॥ १२ ॥ 

Here, Upanishad warns that anything built by action can also be destroyed by time. *A promotion, a new car, or a corporate milestone will give temporary joy, but will eventually leave you wanting more.* It states:

"The uncreated (eternal peace) cannot be attained through created (temporary) actions."Success Takeaway: Real success is knowing when to shift your focus from having more to being more.

2. Living via Detached Enjoyment (Isha Upanishad, Verse 1)

ईशावास्यमिदं सर्वं यत्किञ्च जगत्यां जगत् ।

तेन त्यक्तेन भुञ्जीथा मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम् ॥ १ ॥

The famous opening verse of the Isha Upanishad gives a beautiful blueprint for stress-free living: 

"Tena tyaktena bhunjitha" — "Renounce and enjoy."

Success Takeaway: True joy comes from using our resources and enjoying life like a guest at a hotel. We use the amenities, but we are not supposed to claim any ownership over them. When we drop possessiveness, we eliminate the fear of loss. 

3. Power of Desires (Mundaka Upanishad 3.1.10)

This is regarding the Power of Intentional Manifastation

यं यं लोकं मनसा संविभाति विशुद्धसत्त्वः कामयते यांश्च कामान् ।

तं तं लोकं जयते तांश्च कामांस्तस्मादात्मज्ञं ह्यर्चयेद्भूतिकामः ॥ १० ॥

Here, the Upanishads acknowledge the immense creative power of a clear human mind. It notes that a person whose mind is purified and focused on a single vision can conquer any domain one chooses.

Success Takeaway: If we clear our mind of chaotic, conflicting thoughts, our Sankalpa (intention) becomes intensely powerful, enabling us to manifest excellence in any chosen professional or personal field. 

At Conclusion: Apart the above, Upanishadic philosophy of success is never complete without this legendary wake-up call from the Katha Upanishad (1.3.14): 

         उत्तिष्ठत जाग्रत प्राप्य वरान्निबोधत ।

Meaning: "Arise! Awake! Approach the great teachers and realize the Self." *(Famously popularized by Swami Vivekananda as "Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached!")*

               *♧ऊँ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय♧*