DUTY AND SERVICE

Monday, 03 February 2020

Quote from the True charm and Power of Vedanta

DUTY AND SERVICE

The path of duty lies in near, and men seek for it in what is remote. The work of duty lies in what is easy, and men seek for it in what is difficult. Mencias

When thou makest a dinner, call not they friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen nor the rich neighbours, lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor , the maimed, the Jane, the blind, and thou shalt be blessed. Jesus .

Is there any common standard of duty? In studying the ethical laws of various peoples, we are led to believe that there cannot be any universal objective standard; but there si a subjective principle which underlies the moral codes of all nations. The outward form of duty changes according to our position in life. It can never be defined therefore by any fixed set of rules. That which might be a duty in one condition would not be under other circumstances. All objective duty is determined by a man’s relation to his external environment, hence it must necessarily remain relative; but subjective duty concerns only man himself and his character. It has to do not with his action, but which his motive, with a principle, not with its mode of application; therefore there can be an abstract law common to all mankind . it may be summed up thus . that which makes a man forget his own little self for others and leads him towards his ideal is his highest duty’

It is not possible however, to reach this abstract subjective ideal without first following the path of immediate outer duties. We must begin by fulfilling the obligations which are nearest to us. First we must perform our duty towards our family, our community , our country; then as our heart grows in understanding and sympathy, we are gradually able to do our share fo good to all living beings. But we cannot realize this great ideal and undertake the larger tasks of life until we have proved ourselves by ably performing the small ones at our hand; and no matter how insignificant our unpleasant these may seem, they are the only ones for us. As it is said in the Bhagavad Gita; “Better one’s own duty, though devoid of merit, then the duty of another well performed. Better is death in following one’s own duty; they duty of another is full of danger. ‘Why’ ? Because nothing can be gained by undertaking an alien duty.

Affluence & Happiness

The Speaking Tree | Lifestyle | ET

By Satyendra Garg

The other day I came across an interesting report that despite earning lots of money, people in affluent countries are insecure and depressed. I was reminded of the Srimad Bhagavatam, in which we come across Yayati, who was ruler of a large kingdom with all material resources at his command. He married Devyani, daughter of a renowned sage, Sukracharya. According to legend, he was cursed for his infidelity and was made prematurely old and infirm.

When he begged for forgiveness, he was told that if somebody exchanged his youth with his old age, he could regain his youth. When four of his sons declined his request, the fifth and youngest son, aware of the inadequacy and futility of sense enjoyment, agreed to the swap.

Youthful once again, Yayati continued his sense enjoyment spree for one thousand years.

Ultimately, he realised that if sensual enjoyment for a thousand years could not satisfy him, how will this be able to satisfy him in future? On reflection, he realised the futility of material and sensual desires and he made up his mind to leave his kingdom and abjure sense enjoyments.

He told his wife Devyani that even if one got all the material wealth of the world — food grains, gold and precious metals, and cattle — this will not satisfy the greed of even one single person who is driven by desire for sensual cravings.

In modern parlance, it could include money, electronic gadgets, land, shares and all other desirable things. It is true that even if one is given the entire wealth of the world, one will not be satisfied.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

But, if He exists?

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.

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