Story 12: “Expectation – The Root of pain”

 🌼 Story 12: “Expectation – The Root of pain” 🌼

Rahul is sitting quietly in his room, thinking about "Grandpa’s said something very nice... 'From Normal to Special.' From now on, I will focus only on what I am doing now. I won’t worry about the past or the future. I won’t waste time on useless thoughts."

(He looks at the clock.)
"Oh! It's time to meet Grandpa!"

(Rahul runs excitedly to Grandpa with his phone.)

Rahul (excited): Grandpa! Look, I played today’s shloka on my phone "Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana..."
We were learning this, right?

Grandpa (smiling): Yes, Rahul! So, tell me, did you understand it, or just listen to it?

Rahul: I listened to it 4–5 times, Grandpa! I remember the first line now. Just have to learn the second one.

Grandpa: Yes, we still need to understand the second line too.
First, tell me what "Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana" means.

Rahul (playfully): Grandpa, listen to “ma phaleshu kadachana” first "Ma phaleshu" means "Mom gave phal means fruits",
and "Kadachana"... but where is the Chana means  chickpeas?

Grandpa (laughing): You naughty! Come sit, I’ll give you some real chana! Now tell me the real meaning.

Rahul (seriously): It means — we should just focus on doing our work. We cannot control the result. Only our actions are in our hands.

Grandpa (proudly): Absolutely right! Now let’s read the next line:
"Ma karmaphalaheturbhurma te sango’stvakarmani"

Let me explain:
"Ma karmaphalaheturbhuh" means —
Don’t think that you are the cause of the results.
Don’t say, “It happened because of me!”

Rahul (confused): But Grandpa… if I did the work, why shouldn’t I say “I did it”?
Okay, unless it’s something naughty — then I won’t take the blame!

Grandpa (laughing): That’s the point, Rahul!
When we do something good, we proudly say — “I did it!”
Slowly, this brings in ego.

Rahul: Ego? That means overconfidence and pride, right?

Grandpa (nodding): Yes, son. Ego is like a monster.
It makes us think we are better than others.
Then we start believing that others are less smart, less hardworking than us.

Rahul: So we should not feel proud or expect anything in return?

Grandpa: Exactly! No pride, and no expectations like praise or gifts. We have so much exception from others we shouldn’t.

Rahul: Then, what should we think after doing something?

Grandpa (smiling): Think — “By God’s grace, this work happened.”
You are just one part of the work — like a player in a team.

Rahul (eyes shining): So, we should do every work like teamwork?

Rahul (thinking):  But Grandpa, what if I did something all alone? How is that teamwork?

Grandpa (smiling): Even if you work alone, success always has many hidden helpers — some you see, some you don’t.

Rahul: Like who? If I get good marks, who are my partners?

Grandpa: Oh, many! Your teacher who taught you,
Mom who helped you revise,
The books you used,
The pen you wrote with,
Your memory power — which is God’s gift!

Rahul: Oh yes… you’re right! But what if the result isn’t good?

Grandpa: Still, there are “partners”!
Maybe your own bad habits,
Distracting friends, wandering mind,
Or your senses becoming too strong —
like too much phone, TV… all take away your time.

Rahul: So Grandpa, we should only do our work and not think “it’s all because of me”?

Grandpa: Exactly, Rahul! Just do your work the right way.
If you succeed, don’t fly in pride.
If you fail, don’t stay in side.
Just focus on your work.

Rahul: Grandpa, you said we shouldn’t have any expectations from others. But how do expectations cause problems?

Grandpa: Because my dear, expectation is the root of pain.
Often, when we do something — whether it’s for our office, family, friends, or society — and if we don’t get praise or credit, we feel upset. Then we start blaming others and feel hurt.

Rahul: So Grandpa, we shouldn’t think about what others say or don’t say.
Just do our work?

Grandpa: Absolutely right! Just do your duty — with no expectations from anyone.  And one more important thing —
Don’t even get too attached to your work or duties.

Rahul: But Grandpa… doing our duty is a good thing, right?

Grandpa: Yes, son. Doing your duty is important —
But duties can change with time and situation.
We must accept and do the work we get in each situation.

Rahul: Like how our duties change with age?

Grandpa: Yes, exactly.
At your age, your duty is to study.
At my age, my duty is to take care of my health and meditation God.

 In our life, situations keep changing, so our duties change too.
We should accept the change and give our best to the new duty.

Rahul: But what if I don’t feel like doing the new duty?
What if I say — “I only want to do my old work”?

Grandpa: But the old work is gone now.
If you don’t do the new duty, then how will life move forward?

Rahul: And what if I think, “There’s no benefit in doing this new work. Why should I do it then?”

Grandpa: In the last line of the shloka, Lord Krishna says:
"Te sango’stvakarmani"
Which means: Don’t ever think — “Then I won’t do anything.”

Krishna clearly says —
Always do your duty, even if you don’t see any benefit right now.

Rahul: But then Grandpa, I might not feel like doing the work!

Grandpa: Let me explain with an example:
In our body, all parts do their own duty.
The hands cook the food, but who eats it? The mouth.

Now if the hands say —
"Why should I work hard? The tongue enjoys all the taste!"
What will happen?

Rahul (laughing): If the hands don’t work and don’t cook — everyone will stay hungry!

Grandpa: And the hands will become weak too!
When the whole body is healthy, the hands also stay strong.

In the same way — When we do our duties, even if the results don’t come immediately,
result will come later, for sure.

Rahul: Just like the hands. we’ll also get our rewards later!

Grandpa: Well said! That’s why, my child —
Keep doing your duty without stopping.
No negative thoughts. No complaints.
Just do your best.

We can say this shloka in a poetic way

 

Rahul: And Grandpa, we shouldn’t expect anything from anyone…
Just keep doing our duty, with no attachment.
Keep working… keep going!

Grandpa: Rahul, just focus on your work (karma) and do it with all your heart.
And the results...

Rahul (quickly): And the results?— we don’t have to worry about the results, right Grandpa?
God will take care of that!

Grandpa (smiling): Yes, my child. That’s the main message of the Gita.

We can say this shloka meaning in poetic way too.

Do your duty, that’s your right,
Not the fruit, however bright.
No attachment, no demand,
Just do your work like a hand.

Don’t ever think, “It’s all by me,”
Let go of pride — just let it be.
But Arjuna, don’t you quit,
Keep doing your part, bit by bit!

Grandpa: Now come on, it’s very late... time to go to bed.

Rahul (playfully): One minute!
Grandpa, you don’t need to worry about getting any result for telling me stories. You just have to keep telling them to me!

Grandpa (laughing, gently touching Rahul’s head):
Why would I worry, Rahul?
For me, hearing you say “Grandpa! Grandpa!”
and asking for more stories — that’s the best reward of all.
And your fun questions… your deep thinking from such a tiny mouth!

Rahul (a bit shyly): Really, Grandpa? You like my questions?

Grandpa: Yes, of course!
Your questions show me that you are listening carefully,
not getting bored — you're really interested.

Rahul (proudly): Grandpa, guess what…
It’s not just me who’s learning from your stories —
Lots of people are watching them on YouTube too!

Grandpa (surprised): Wow! That’s wonderful, my boy!

Rahul: So Grandpa… tomorrow again, you’ll share more wisdom from the Gita?

Grandpa: Of course, dear. Now go to your room and get some sleep.

Rahul:
Good night, Grandpa!

Grandpa (softly):
Good night, my little wiseman.