If one is determined to do one’s duties, God empowers one to do exactly that, says Ajit Kumar Bishnoi
God expects us to do duties. These depend on time, place and circumstance, and must be based on ‘dharma’ (righteousness). He has said so in various verses of The Bhagavad Gita, some of which are quoted herein. One should never be attached to inaction. (2.47) One should learn from God’s example. He is always engaged in duty, though there is neither anything worth getting for Him nor there is anything remaining to be obtained by Him. (3.22) One should realise that not doing duty is sinful. (3.16) One should not allow attachment and aversion to come in the way of being dutiful. (3.34) Prescribed work is duty only. (18.9) One should realize that everyone has duties irrespective of the classification one falls in. (18.41) One should know that God is worshiped by performing one’s duties. (18.46) One should follow one’s own nature. This way it becomes easy to perform one’s duty. (18.47) One should realise that the human species is meant to be dutiful.
And being dutiful has multiple benefits. Connected people will do likewise. (3.23) One does not get tainted while engaged in duty. (5.7) Spiritual progress can be made only by action. (6.3) One achieves real success by being properly engaged in one’s duty. (18.45) One gains self-respect. One is given responsibility and trust. One is useful and gets attention. The human life is well utilised. One avoids dependency. One gets support from others.
The reason I am writing this article because I have realised that if one is connected to God and is determined to do his or her duties, God empowers such persons to be able to do exactly that. We know that God empowers His devotees in many ways. For example, He empowers them to convey His messages. God also empowers those who have taken His shelter to write on spiritual topics meaningfully. He also empowers those who love Him to love others.
These are all in the spiritual domain, but believe me, God even empowers His devotees in the material field. I will like to share some of my experiences in this regard. I am aging but God has blessed me with health which is good enough to be able to carry out whatever duties still expected of me. My health is also good enough to be able to carry out my daily routine without depending on others much. By the way, duties do not end till one breathes his or her last. These duties relate to the self, that is, the soul, family and humanity as a whole.
God mysteriously, or to be very precise, miraculously arranges help in order that I can accomplish what I desire. let me give an example. I wanted to learn Sanskrit in order to get the real meaning of the verses of The Bhagavad Gita. Not only did the merciful lord arrange a very competent teacher; this person was good enough to translate The Bhagavad Gita like it has probably never been done before. Now lord’s messages are clear to me. Things begin to fall in place better than what I expect, though the results take some time to come; I have to be patient. I wanted to have a child. It took eight years before God fulfilled my desire, and I have a daughter which has made me very proud. God not only arranges sufficient money for me in order that I can maintain myself but gives enough such that I can help some relatives as well.
Being eldest in my joint family, I have many duties. God helps me to manage them. I am expected to set good examples for others in being disciplined, loving, nice, kind, being helpful, which by God’s mercy I am able to do. I am obliged to keep the family together. God has made it possible. And God gives me wisdom with which I am able to inspire my family members to be good and useful citizens. God has taught me to appreciate others in order that they get motivated to do better.
With all kinds of spiritual and material benefits flowing from association with God, why don’t we all take advantage of thatIJ I welcome your comments.
Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com