Gathanugathiko Lokaha na lokaha paaramarthikaha||
Everyone does some work or the other. All worship God in their respective religious practices, and give alms to the poor. On being questioned as to why the engage in such activities, they are likely to reply that they do these activities to fulfil their desires or for the good of their family members. People perform different activities for different reasons.
The following questions may be asked.
Who asked you to perform this work to fulfil your desire?
Will the performance of this work provide you with the desired outcome?
What will be the outcome of this work?
It is difficult to answer these questions. Some people may declare that they are imitating other individuals who are doing that work, in the anticipation of some specific outcome. Some people combine their activities. Others commence some activity, discontinue it and begin some other work. They tend to remain silent if asked as to why they behave in such a perplexing manner. These people come under the first category of performers.
People in the second category start a piece of work in a grand manner. They give their endeavour considerable publicity, as they are fond of fame. They usually allege that children and other people are obstructing their activities or thoughts. Sometimes, these people behave strangely while worshipping God. They do not concentrate on the worship. Instead, they talk with others or indulge in irrelevant thoughts during the worship.
People in the third category assume that they are greater than the others, because they are performing good deeds and providing service to their Guru. These people derive pleasure in scolding others or subjecting them to physical harassment.
People in these categoriesmay find it difficult to accomplish what they embark upon. These people are given to complaining that they have rendered a lot of service to their Guru or God, but to no avail. They not only confuse themselves, but also others. These people criticise their Guru or God for not granting their wishes, and bemoan their fate.
The story in the Ishti chapter of the Yajur-Veda explains the correct procedure. In order to perform a task correctly, one should know the procedures and rules, involved. In addition, attentiveness and commitment are also essential. If one performs the duty without observing the recommended rules or procedures, then there will be wastage of time and material. Any task or activity that fails to incorporate these features will not provide the desired results to the performer. Visible Results and Fortune:
The duties mentioned in the Vedas do not exhibit any visible effects to the performer but they ensure the good fortune of the performer. For instance, if a coconut fruit is struck with force, it will break into two pieces. This is a visible result. Everyone will state that the breaking of a coconut results in two pieces. However, such results do not occur when the person performs puja or worship to the gods. Moreover, it is difficult to predict when he will receive the results of the puja. This gives rise to the question that whether puja or worship provides any results. Obviously there will be results, and there is considerable evidence that the people in the past had received positive results by conducting religious rites. Samyuvakam:
Once upon a time, during times of yore, the ahuthis offered to the deities became mixed up in the Agnigundaof the yajnas performed by the people. As a result, the deities could not receive the havis offered in their name. These deities conferred in a body, in order to resolve this problem. They decided to assign the task of transporting the havis to the deities to Samyu, the son of their Guru Brihaspathi. Samyu agreed to undertake this all important task and declared that “I will carry out this duty and ensure that the havis reach their respective deities. However, I do this only if you grant me a boon”. The deities accepted the demands made by Samyu.
The son of Brihaspathi, stated, “people get confused while performing the Vedic rites. They do not perform the procedures as prescribed in the scriptures. Some people do them without any interest or commitment. I should receive the result of such actions.” The deities agreed to this.
After some time, Samyu again told the deities, “the good outcomes of activities performed by people, who cause mental torture to good –natured and virtuous people and who perpetrate physical violence to good people, should come to my children”. The deities were satisfied with the help and support rendered by Samyu, and they immediately agreed to his demand.
From then onwards, people do not receive the results of their activities if they fail to perform them with attention and in the prescribed manner. Those who intend to injure the virtuous are precluded from receiving beatitude, salvation, and future bliss. Those who caused harm to the virtuous were barred from obtaining bliss in their life for a thousand years. People who physically harmed or caused the virtuous to bleed were consigned to hell for a number of years that equalled the number of drops of blood drawn by them.
We should adopt the following principles:
Performing a duty is not important; it is more important to know the purpose for which we are doing it.
We should perform duty with attention and commitment.
We should not cause harm or injury to anybody.
We should not cause pain or suffering to anyone, physically, mentally or verbally.
People who perform homas must remain vigilant of the words spoken by Samyu.
The ahuthis must be offered only in the prescribed quantity.
The ahuthis have to be offered one after the other. One should wait till the first ahuthi is completely burnt in the agnigunda, before offering another one.
People, who worship daily, should perform the Vanspathihoma, in order to prevent the ahuthis from getting mixed up. If the ahuthis meant for two different deities commingle by accident, then expiatory rites have to be conducted.
Performers of the homas must acknowledge the meaning of the mantras in their mind. They have to chant the mantras clearly and in a proper tone. The ahuthi must be offered only after the utterance of Swaha.
The offeror must indicate that he has no interest, desire or expectation in the ahuthi. This is termed the intentional declaration of renunciation.
There should not be any hurry to finish the activity, as quickly as possible. In the absence of commitment, interest, mental recital of the meaning of the mantra, and concentration on the deity, any activity is rendered futile. As such, it is pointless to conduct any activity, without these qualities.