Our aim should be to work towards liberation from the cycle of birth and death, writes AJIT KUMAR BISHNOI

Duty and goal are as different as chalk and cheese but sometimes we get confused and think them to be the same. We should have clear understanding of their definitions; what generally our duties are; and what our goals should be.

let us begin with their definitions. The word duty is defined two ways: Something that you feel you have to do because it is your moral or legal responsibility and the work that is your job. On the other hand, the word goal is defined as: Something that you hope to achieve. As can be seen from the definitions, there is a world of difference between the two words. Their differences will become clearer from the examples given herein.

let me start with examples of generally what our duties are. The very first duty is to gain good education. According to the ‘varnashram’ system, the first 25 years of our lives are meant to learn/gain knowledge. These days children start as early as three, when they go to play schools/nurseries/etc. Besides the regular education, children also learn to play games of all kinds in which they have interest or what is available to them. The next duty is to learn good sanskars/values. These are very important because they are the guiding lights in our lives; we are influenced by them greatly while choosing our actions. The third duty is to learn to be disciplined of the mind, body and speech. This duty if well done takes us far in life. Bodily health will follow if we are disciplined in eating, doing exercises, etc.

Once the education/training is over, it is time to earn a living for self, wife, children, etc. This is for men but these days wives also contribute by working in offices, etc. Earlier, the wives contributed by doing housework mainly. Additionally, one must look after the aging parents. This is a duty for all sons and these days for daughters also if there are no sons or they don’t fulfil this duty. The last duty is towards the society one lives in. One must be useful at all times till the end of one’s life. Some people go further and do duty towards their nation and even towards the world.

Now let us take up goals. What generally should our goals beIJ I will put peace as the first and foremost goal. Without peace there is no happiness, which we all crave for so desperately. Even people who chase material goals do realise sooner or later that peace is what is most precious. Similarly, there must be satisfaction in life with what we are doing or what we have achieved. Without satisfaction, one feels that the precious human life has been wasted, which is a fact. like the duty, being useful to the society/nation/world should be a goal also. Rather, it is a very noble goal. Doing creative work is very satisfying in all respects.

Now we switch to the requirements of the soul, which we all are. For this, we must come to the mode of goodness essentially. For further details, read the fourteenth chapter of the Bhagavad-Gita. This book will also acquaint us about spiritual knowledge. However, for achieving a good level of knowledge, this book must be read many times, questions asked from realised persons, etc. Then, one must follow as many instructions of God as convenient over a period of time. This will bring us closer to God. Faith in God will increase because realisations will come and one will gradually get convinced about the reality of God and the soul. And the last and final goal for a human is to work towards libration from the cycle of birth and death.

Therefore, let us not get confused. Doing duties is important but that is essential while goals are optional. On the other hand, achieving goals gives us real satisfaction in life if our goals are as have been mentioned above. A wise person does work towards achieving them according to his or her resources. Another fact we should be aware of is: Doing duties well contributes to achieving our goals. I welcome your comments.

Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com