Duty

Man could carry out his duties, under every circumstance. Service is the real emblem of duty. In other words, it means utilising worldly bestowed body and materials, for the benefit of the world.

Man who carries out his duties, is naturally happy in his mind. As against this, failure to do one's duty makes man automatically depressed.

An aspirant could be free of attachment, only if through his body, senses, mind and intellect, he recognises these as not "mine", nor "for me", but only of the world, for the world and for its good, only acts diligently and regularly to carry out his duties.

In these times, in homes and in society, is seen much unhappiness, quarrels and confrontation. The basic reason is that, though people demand their rights, they do not discharge their own duties.

No act of duty, is by itself small or big. But selfless undertaking the smallest and the largest service equates these.

Acting for the good of others, that is duty. Any act that causes harm to anybody, is contrary to duty.

Because of attachment or aversion, man has to strive or face difficulties, in carrying out his duties.

What, one must do and can do, is called duty. Not doing one's duty is an error. Negligence of duty is stupid and leads to hell, 'Narakastama unnāho' (Śrīmad Bhagavata XI. ΧΙΧ. 43)

Acts which bring pleasure to one's own self are called 'unreal', while those for the good of others, are termed 'real'. Unreal actions lead to births and deaths and real acts result in God-realization.

Do better and better acts, but not in the belief, that the world is permanent.

One acting without thought of reward, he alone, can readily discharge his duties.

Merely watching other's act, could never engross one in his duties, watching other's duties is undutiful.

Whether a family man or a monk (Sādhu), one who acts rightly according to his duties, he is great.

Selfish acts for oneself are contrary to duties (leading to bondage).

By following one's duties, one could become a dispassionate 'धर्म तें बिरति'- (Manasa 3/16/1), but if one does not become so, then he has not fulfilled his duties, correctly.

We know our duties, but desire and affection prevent us from deciding to carry these out.

Among the four castes (Varnas) and stages of life, it is the great who discharge their duties, and those who do not, remain small.

All the worldly relations are for performing one's duties not to claim rights. One is to give pleasures to them not to seek pleasures from them.

With the awareness of the goal of salvation (Kalyāna) one might learn his duties, even without the study of Śāstras. And without knowing his own objective, he would, despite study of the scriptures not become aware of his duties, on the contrary his ignorance would increase, this we know.