Miscellaneous - Religion   

Performance of duty

CHENNAI : The spiritual tradition lays emphasis on the performance of one's duties, as it is not possible to realise the ultimate goal of liberation without discharging them. Spiritual discipline will not bear fruit if a person pursues it by dereliction of duty. It is not possible for any human being to master all knowledge within the span of a lifetime. Hence a person who is desirous of realising the objective of liberation in this life must repose faith in the scriptural teachings and do his duties. This in course of time will lead to spiritual knowledge by purifying the mind of the practitioner to receive spiritual knowledge.

In his discourse, Sengalipuram Sri B. Damodara Dikshitar said the Lord in His manifestation as Kapila taught the truth to His mother Devahuti. Though the daughter of the emperor Manu, Devahuti who was given in marriage to Sage Kardama faithfully attended on her husband and discharged her duties. She grew emaciated living an austere life. Taking pity on her and pleased with her service Kardama promised that the Lord Himself would be born as her son as she had made herself worthy by her diligence to duty and selfless service. The sage retired to the forest after Kapila was born to them.

One day Devahuti asked Kapila to enlighten her when the Lord expounded at length the philosophy of Sankhya, practice of Yoga and the importance of devotion to God for realising Him. Kapila explained how liberation could be attained: "By devoutly performing one's duties (both of an obligatory nature and those arising out of a special occasion) without expectation of result; by following everyday a course of worship as enjoined in sacred works involving no destruction of life and actuated by no worldly desire; by beholding, adoring, extolling and bowing to My images; by regarding all living beings as My own manifestations; by resorting to patience and dispassion; by showing great respect to exalted souls... "

Kapila's teaching was extensive and by His grace Devahuti became enlightened. She is thus a fine exemplar of one who was fortunate to have been enlightened by the Lord by dint of performing her duties faithfully.

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