Work Is Worship — The Dignity of Labour

Work is worship for as we all know, “An idle mind is a devil’s workshop.” Work provides livelihood and helps keep the devil (other vices) at bay. Not only does it provide sustenance, but gives purpose to our life, differentiating us from other creatures in the universe. In the words of a poet, “I slept and dreamt that life was beauty. I woke and found that life was duty”.

“What you are will show in what you do,” said Thomas Alva Edison. People and the society recognise us by our work. This is because life is action not contemplation. Work enables us to improve our quality of life, so that the society enjoys the fruit of labour. All work is dignified, for it is better than living on doles or charity. Besides giving dignity to life, it generates tremendous self-confidence and self-esteem. People do not break down from overwork, but from worry and dissipation. Work generates energy and optimism, which makes life pleasant. Ordinary people have risen to great heights by excelling in their work, like Florence Nightingale, Albert Einstein, and thousands of others. Their hard work and devotion to duty made them immortal.

Work does not mean doing the daily chores, but also doing it with excellence. The work could be in manufacturing a product, or rendering a service. It should be done with sincerity, devotion and strict discipline, so that the right product or service can be delivered at the best price.

Lord Krishna in the Bhagwad Gita, extolling the virtue of ‘Karma’ (Duty) exhorted Arjun to do his duty, without expecting or waiting for reward or recognition. This is for work is divine and our moral duty to accomplish. In our daily life we observe the artisan, workman, and trader offering a short prayer before commencing work for the day. They celebrate Vishwakarma puja with great pomp and show, offering prayer to the deity of creation. This is a manifestation of reverence to work, which they regard as divine and sacred.

Work creates opportunities which could be missed if one is idle or daydreaming. In the words of Thomas Alva Edison, “Opportunities is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Indeed numerous rags to riches stories of ordinary people like Bill Gates and Dhirubhai Ambani validate the above statement. Their sincerity and devotion to work, enabled them to seize opportunities that came their way with both hands.

Eulogisng the virtue of work Rabindra Nath Tagore said, “God is there where the tiller is tilling the hard soil and the path maker is breaking the stones”. Indeed all work is divine and by working hard we enjoy the fruit of labour, which tastes sweet. One achieves nothing without effort for “No gain, no pain, no thorn, no throne; No gall, no glory, no cross, no crown.’’