On a recent trip to Barnes and Noble, out of curiosity I picked up a copy of Hinduism Today. I was quickly drawn in by articles on spirituality and daily living. This letter from a reader caught my attention for its obvious relevance to the topic we discuss most often on this blog - the question of pursuing that which you are passionate about. I am republishing parts of it here, with the author's kind permission.
There is a beautiful verse in the third chapter of the Bhagavad Gita which says, "It is better to do one's own duty, svadharma, though we may not be successful, than to do the duty of another, paradharma. It is better to die doing svadharma, for paradharma is filled with fear."
How apt this is in today's world. Parents push their children into what they consider is best for them. If a father is in business, he may push his children into what they consider is best for them, assuming that it would be profitable and comfortable for them. Youngsters themselves may be dazzled with a lucrative career, which gives them high pay at a young age, and pursue it without considering whether they have the aptitude for that job. Additionally, society gives preference to careers like medicine and engineering and exhibits prejudice against other careers, declaring them less demanding or profitable.
Whatever may be the reason to pursue an activity which does not appeal to one's interests, it may be disastrous in the long run. However successful one might be in the paradharmic activity, ultimately frustration sets in. A person might be earning huge amounts of money, may have a high position, but in the end he will lose interest and become disappointed. There have been countless cases where people with lucrative careers have quit their jobs to pursue something else, such as working for the underprivileged.
The reason is obvious. Working against one's basic nature creates mental agitations. It is a crime to take up a path out of pressure, because, though you may be successful, sooner or later stress creeps in. So, it becomes our duty and responsibility to identify our interests and pursue them. Initially, we may not be successful, but at least we will have the peace of mind and satisfaction in having pursued what we want. Perfection is achieved through svadharmic activity.
Listening to M.S. Subbulakshmi reciting dovotional songs, even foreigners were moved - such was the passion and devotion in her songs, that it crossed all barriers of language. M.S. Subbulakshmi had a passion to sing and obviously she loved it. Such is the power of an activity filled with passion that an observer himself will be moved and the work will then assume the form of worship.
-- Usha Hariprasad, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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