They have been assigned to us for our benefit and betterment, says Ajit Kumar Bishnoi
In the Bhagavad Gita, lord Krishna laid emphasis on performing one’s duties. If this is the case, then shouldn’t we try to make them enjoyableIJ Theoretically, this may make a lot of sense but how do we do it practicallyIJ We know that duties are determined by time, place and circumstances, which means that the choice of duties is not always ours, which means that at least some duties will not appeal to us and may also give some pain. For example, an employee is handed over a dossier and is asked to give his recommendation next morning. The dossier contains several documents and this report is crucial for making an important decision by the company. Time is short and the work time-consuming. He may have to take the dossier home and study it. How on earth can he enjoy this dutyIJ
The following examples will illustrate how a duty, which appears tough and is so mostly too, can be made pleasurable. How does a mother take care of a newborn, who remains awake during the night and sleeps during the day, just the opposite of what his mother wishes him to doIJ She does this duty willingly because she loves her child dearly. She is not thinking of her pain, she is focusing on the well-being of her child.
Another example is of a student, who knows studying is a long haul spanning over a decade, may be two, and he must do it. If the student is wise, he will focus on all the benefits he will derive by studying well. The third example is of a professional cricketer, who tirelessly practises perfecting his technique. What keeps him goingIJ He knows that a better technique will bring him many rewards. The last example is that of a person starting a business. He realises in his heart that this will be a long and hard journey but he needs the money. Therefore, what does he focus onIJ That once he succeeds, his financial woes will be over. In all these examples, duties were embraced with benefits in mind.
What do we normally doIJ We consider duties as pain. Some women do not bear children for the fear of inconvenience to them and miss the pleasures of motherhood. Some, nay most, students treat studying as highly boring and fail to take advantage of the time spent. They are only seeing the negative side of duties which pale in comparison to the benefits of studying well.
Also, it is not unusual for one to think that these duties are for the benefit of someone else. In case of women not agreeing to bear children, they refuse to be bothered about some soul, who she has to bring up with lots of pain. People don’t realise that duties have been assigned to us for our own benefit. They contribute towards our spiritual progress besides giving us many other benefits. A good student generally excels in life; all the pain taken bears fruit.
The next question is about the selection of duties. Some duties are apparent like a student’s need for learning but some are not so clear. It is no wonder that lord Krishna has stated in the Gita that the intricacy of action is difficult to understand. (4.17) This is where wisdom and guidance help. We can correctly ascertain our duties but we are more concerned about duties of others; we think more in that regard rather than about our own.
The lord has advised use of intelligence in ascertaining our duties where there are options. We must weigh all our actions, including our duties against three yardsticks. One, what should be done and what shouldn’t. Two, what should be feared and what shouldn’t. Three, what will contribute to our welfare and what has the potential of putting us in trouble. The next important thing to do is to ensure that all our actions are appropriate, neither excessive not insufficient. This exercise must go on lifelong. For those who follow these guidelines, duties become enjoyable because they are on the right course, which brings success and satisfaction besides spiritual progress.
Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com