The importance of Responsibilities in life....

“Master! What exactly is a responsibility attached to an individual in his / her life as he / she starts living in this world out of his / her own freedom?”

“Dear! A responsibility attached to an individual comes into effect as he / she starts living his / her life expecting a benefit from the world either of physical or psychological in nature….. That is why the Great Saints were never attached with the worldly responsibilities as these Great Men were ever dis-interested anything that was worldly! 

But we, as normal individuals existing at various levels of evolution towards the Ultimate, definitely do have with us the well defined responsibilities to be discharged in the world as we are interested in the world and expect certain returns from the world….That way alone all our responsibilities are defined in our life….

These responsibilities with an individual can broadly be categorized as THREE TYPES…..

1. Law bound responsibilities
2. Social or Moral responsibilities and 
3. Ethical responsibilities 

Law bound responsibilities are a must to be discharged in life as per the Law of the Land. Social or Moral responsibilities are better be discharged in the interest of greater peace around but taking care that the law is respected all the while. Ethical responsibilities are the ones the individual takes upon himself / herself on his / her own and discharges them in the interest of the community around so that he / she is freed in this life from the burden of own attachments to a greater extent…

So the ultimate guidelines in respect of discharging these responsibilities are….

A must in respect of the First
Desirable in respect of the Second without sacrificing the First and
Good to do in respect of the third provided the individual does not copy here someone / something but does out of his / her own depth of perception of Truth!

* The ‘In’ Human Face of Outsourcing….

The anxious Customer rang up to the Customer Support Cell…. “Hello! I am ……. Speaking from….... I am a member of your Institution and I have a problem….....” The Official at the receiving end promptly took his complaint, gave a Ref No and promised action in two working days…. The man waited for two days and nothing happened!

He again rang up the Cell…. The answer was “Sir! It is a Software problem…We are looking into that and we give the solution shortly….” But the waiting was of no use and the man decided to raise the level…

In no time, the Manager was on the scene.... He profusely apologized saying, “Sir! Sorry for the delay.... By today evening the problem will be set right!” The Customer felt a bit convinced, waited till evening and checked…. The story repeated and nothing happened…. He became furious and instantly decided to write to the General Manager giving a piece of his mind….

Thus, a mail was sent to the GM with all details…. And as usual, the GM called the Manager In-charge….

“Why are you not answering the Customer on what he wants?”

The Manger said, “Sir! It is a Software hitch and we have totally out sourced that Package….The Service Provider alone can answer the issue.”

“Then what’s the problem? Ask them to do that….”

The Manager scratched his head and said, “Sir! I did that….They too have a problem….”

“What do you mean?”

“This Company directly did not do our job…Part of the Software where this particular problem lies was outsourced to a Group outside and their whereabouts are not traceable this moment…. That is the issue as they alone can answer our Customer’s present problem!”

“But see my dear Manager! Here, you have to answer the Customer at the earliest and solve his problem…. We are meant for that…. If we can't do this, then where is the job for us?”

The Manager thought for a while and said, “Sir! I have a solution…. I know one address….They are Experts in tracking people and bring out the required…. They did a few wonderful jobs earlier…. We will Contract them with the task of identifying this problem with the Originator and bring out the right answer….We will keep a time limit with this Agency and answer our Customer accordingly…. When you as GM, reply to our Customer on this date, he will be pacified and will agree to that….Tomorrow itself, I will call this concerned man to our Office, brief on the work that will be outsourced and keep the time limit…. Further, we will collect all those monies what these people charge later from our Customer slowly and I have a plan for that......”

* The 'Luxury' on 'Paper'....

The advertisement was out in all News Papers with bold caption….

"We launch this ambitious, unique Apartment Complex with its own distinct special features…. We are specially naming the Complex as “Sparkling Mansions around Sprinkling Waters (SMSW), our prestigious Project for the next two years…. And there is a strong reason for picking up this name….

The Complex would be provided with a modern concealed lighting facility covered by colored glasses laid out all around in such a way so that when the the System is switched on, the whole Complex glitters instantly with various shades and colors and would be well visible for a few kilometers away as a Unique Structure in the city!  We are planning to spend a few lakh for this feature and are sincerely hoping that this will enchant every one living around….

“The Sprinkling Waters is a Special Scheme where in a Central Place of the Complex on a huge area, thin jets of waters will be sprayed with force from top  along with air thrown down from a number of fans arranged all round.... The waters thus evaporated instantly cool the surroundings....The place is planned to be arranged with permanent benches and tables so that the residents at any time can relax with their families and friends under this cooling effect where the heat and sweat of summer are out in no time!  This facility is estimated to cost around......... and we advise the concerned Authorities in future to collect specific charges for use of this precious facility by the bonafide residents....

We wish to say here that for use of these two extra facilities to be imported and installed in the Housing Complex Area, we have a special permission from the Authorities for their use in a liberal way.... 

"Further to these Features, The Housing Complex is equipped with the usual X X X X...."

No doubt, the Apartments in the Complex were in high demand and  in no time were booked against huge advance payments…. Soon, the individual Apartments were completed and handed over in time with the one hundred percent back up of what was promised…. And People around were all in praise for the same for a while.... The summer season approached….

As usual, there were shortages of Water and Power due to scanty rains in the year and every one thought it would only be a matter of time.... But unfortunately, the situation soon became so acute that the Authorities quickly started rationing the precious items among Public and as a first step put a total stop to the use of all luxury facilities in the City…. Thus the 'Special Features' of the Housing Complex remained shut for that summer and unfortunately the problem never ended there, the shortages continued for the whole year due to lack of rains in the following rainy season and the rations continued for the next summer….

By that time, the 'Precious Systems' of the Complex got rusted and broken down due to non use and non maintenance and there after remained only as Show Pieces around with the 'Name of the Housing Complex'  alone glittering and the 'Precious Waters' sprinkling out in thin jets from taps of the Apartment Houses!

What I had become the 'Best' today was originally my deepest desire in life to become that o!

A man at an young age started working in the line of his qualification immediately after his graduation and had put in hard and very sincere work in that direction for a period of about 10 years…. That way he had become popular in his field and was in much demand among his Employers….

But he was unhappy…. He had one strong ambition to fulfill from childhood but some how could not enter that field.... He thought, "They say, 'Better late than never!' and 'Procrastination is the thief of time!'  So, I'll firm up working in this line at least from now on wards with all dedication and for this better I resign from my present job and see that my full time is available for this task.... I am sure, soon I'll shine in this line much better than what I am today!"  Thus he thought but before firming up, consulted a well-wisher, a man of wisdom who could throw some light in that context.…

The well-wisher listened to him and straight away said, “Better you continue your present job as your profession for the rest of life and continue your ambition as a hobby only.  Never try to make a profession out of this new interest!”

The man said, “Sir! I was very much interested in this line from my childhood and even now I like to do that way. People say that you have to do ultimately that job you like the most…. My deep interest in the new line definitely makes me excel there and I am sure, soon I turn out gold…. Why are you discouraging me?”

The well-wisher smiled and said, “Dear! Continuing your present job becomes the most important entity at this point of time in your life as that alone can support your living….Today, you are known around as that professional alone and nothing else!  All Employers in your field would like to give you jobs related to that work experience without a second thought because such a good experience of yours there makes them peaceful with the thoughts that that their investments are safe.  And you are the right man who knows the best in the field being ready to meet any challenges in that line authoritatively answering those challenges as a Master in the field…. Any Customer too wants such a personality alone for his / her work and so working in this line truly supports you for the life!

If you try to change your profession now just because you have an interest, everything becomes instantly a mess!  You will be a misfit in the new line as the precious 10 years of your life had already made you an expert in some other line which you cannot undo and redo with the new line of experience….The best you can do now and any how you would be doing is to grow in this line, expand in the related areas and thus become a Controlling Authority in the present field….If I ask you frankly, tell me , how much you are known at this stage in the new line? You are totally unknown today in that line whereas there are Stalwarts who are well known….Then where is the place for you there? So, the present  ambition has no go but to remain with you only as a hobby at this moment!”

While departing the well-wisher said, “The dedication with which you have developed your profession for the last 10 years itself shows that your deep interest lies there alone and no where else! Had it not been, you would have never shone in this line so well but would have remained a mediocre by this time, that's all!”

The Sacred Effort…. Worth Millions!

The Effort with me for ever is a Precious Entity …. And it is always a double edged weapon….

It can be used for the betterment of me and the world having been exerted in the right way…. Or it can be used for the down fall of me and damage to the world having been exerted in a wrong way…. And knowing that 'Right way'  on this Earth is truly a Divine Blessing! 

Further, if the right amount of Effort from me meant for my duties is lessened, it results in constant pain and suffering…. The lessened quantum invariably goes towards excess enjoyment and laziness around and once again results in damage and suffering….

Thus this Effort of mine is to be constantly kept under surveillance to monitor the quantum as well as the direction of its exertion for my immediate good and for the ultimate good of the world as well! 

In a scenarios where the exertion of this Effort is not streamlined properly, it may a few times, result in extreme situations like….

The one depicted in a famous classical drama…. The much awaited pension papers that were followed up for quite long time, got sanctioned and delivered exactly on the day the retired man passed away being made use for supporting the burning along with the wood…. Or 

The one depicted in the famous joke....The ant commenting on shaking the bridge together with its friend the elephant as they both crossed the same and it shook for a while….

A Service free of Pride and Expectation is required!

A man at one stage in his life firmly decided to be good in his neighborhood and society around and thus live his remaining life. “What is the use of this life when I don’t see the need and difficulty of the other man next to me?” thus he thought and started showing kindness to many around through enquiring about their problems, helping out at appropriate places and being liberal in giving to them when any occasion surfaces.... 

Soon it became his habit and a way of life and he earned a good name around.  People used to praise him as the best man in the surroundings…. He was very happy and continued his activities….

A few years passed thus….

With time he found that slowly people started responding in a different style which was originally never seen with them even though he continued his activities as usual…. His doubts firmed up, he could no more control within himself and one fine day met a well-wisher and sincerely asked the reason for the change….

The well-wisher straight away took him to a place where a contest of tug-of-war was going on between two individuals….He said, “Look! My dear! This is a game you know, in which the two parties would be pulling equally the max possible in opposite directions….  But if you observe carefully, you will notice that the moment one man releases the hold, the other too does that exactly according to the pull remaining from the opponent.  And If he pulls, the other too pulls….The more he starts pulling, the more the other party does from his side to safeguard himself from coming towards the opponent side.…. In this context, can you tell me what appeals to you instantly?” 

The man was blank….

“Living our life is like contesting in the game of this tug of war” said the well-wisher with a smile…. “If you care for people around without a second thought which is like releasing the pull from your side, the others too will release their hold as they feel safe in your presence and look at you instantly as their well-wisher and man of worthy of respect and worship….What all you need to do from your side is truly to release the pull….Tell me…. Presently, are you holding 'The Rope' with a feeling of pride and expectation which were not significant in you in the beginning but have surfaced slowly in time as you started rendering these Services around?”

Everything rots in time!

A King was interested to see that all his plans were implemented in the best possible way for the benefit of people.

He thought, “I understand that the best actions any where come through dedicated inspection and timely rectifications. Intentional neglect and non implementation may escape one watchful eye but not the second one so easily! So, I’ll keep repeated checks at various points of all Plan implementations so that a minimum ten Officials on duty will inspect, assess the required parameters and suggest immediate corrective actions if deviations however minor or at whatever corner are seen existing….Having backed by such a rigid procedure and all inspections being recorded properly with the signatures and stamps of the inspectors on all relevant papers, no deviation in plan implementation can go unnoticed easily and that way alone ultimately I can ensure the best for people within the allowed deficiencies!”

Without further discussing the proposal with his Minister, the King straight away had gone ahead and implemented the schemes, identified well trained men to inspect all procedures followed, suggest corrective actions and record all….Further, he decided to inspect all records himself at the final stage for any lapse on the behalf of inspectors….


Days passed…The King’s Plans were through instantly and it was really a joyous situation! He was proud that he could thus control all the Programs effectively.... Further, days passed….

In time any thing rusts….And this was no exception! The King found that slowly the quality of life of people was back to the earlier times except for a few improvements here and there….He was totally astonished and was really clueless not knowing how it could have happened…..

Finally, he was forced to discuss the whole matter with the Minister. The wise Minister quickly made certain enquiries, came back to the King and said, “Your Highness! No doubt the idea is great had it been implemented in true spirit. That way no deviation would have been there….But time always brings in ways to get out of these imposed procedures as lethargy, greed and authority in an individual encourage that. Thus any System soon rots!”

He paused and continued, “Sir! After a while of introduction of this strict discipline, certain procedure had set in the System, where the papers would simply be prepared and signed in a routine way as you as an Authority are seeing only the papers….There is such a nexus among the Authorities that some of the signatures which have become too many are being simply written by hand by an expert there in these matters and the entire procedure is being cut short. Unfortunately, Your Majesty had not thought of this happening…. Ultimately, here the paper work alone is perfect but the rest is same!”