What is Your Aim?

Those were the early days of our college life. One of the Lecturers had just finished his post-graduation and was in the first year of his teaching profession. We were new students and he was a new Lecturer. The new Lecturer was looking like another student in the campus with only a few years of age separating us. One of our classmates was a little mischievous. He did something in one of the sessions that distracted the lecturer's attention. The Lecturer got angry and shot a question at the mischievous student. The student could not answer and looked helpless. A veteran teacher might have handled the situation in a better manner. This student had the habit of taking many end to end walks in the only long road of the town. Everyone knew of this habit of his. Not yet used to subtle classroom management, the lecturer asked him another question.

"I see you wandering (moving from place to place without a fixed plan) aimlessly in the streets everyday. Can you not answer this simple question?"

The student shot back instantaneously. 

"Aimlessly wandering itself is my Aim, Sir"

Parthasarathy probably won the round that day. But were his long walks really aimless? 

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We often hear about aims, goals and plans. Aim is defined in the dictionary as "to intend or direct for a particular effect or purpose" and "something intended or desired to be achieved by one's efforts".  It naturally flows from this that achievement of a goal or target is the result of conscious efforts to reach something clearly defined, towards which such efforts are directed. 

Aim or Objective is important in all walks of life. Aimless efforts are often a waste of valuable and scarce resources. Time is one of the most valuable resource as it cannot be replaced or brought back. In the context of teaching and learning or training, "Aim" or "Objective" assumes paramount importance for both teacher/trainer and student/trainee. Courses or programs are planned and devised to meet specific objectives. In longer programs that run for several months or years, the basic objectives of the programs is like the blueprint of a building to be constructed. These objectives are further divided into subjects or topics with focused aims to be achieved, resembling details of each of the rooms to be constructed in that building. The learning and training objectives of each subject or topics are further sub-divided into learning points to be covered under teaching or training sessions. These sub-learning points identify the minute details of each component or item in the room. 

The entire process of learning or training is expected to achieve the desired outcome of the aggregate of all sub-learning points that go on to make the subjects or topics which in turn complete the course, and ultimately achieve the overall aims of conducting the learning or training program. It is therefore imperative that both teachers/trainers and students/trainees are clear about the aims or objectives of each session as well as the whole course and never lose their focus. Otherwise it becomes aimless wandering.

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Is there any reference in our ancient texts about having specific aims in actions? Do they deal with such aimless wandering? There are definitely many references to having well-defined aims before actions. The popular phrase used is Prayojanamanuddishya Na Mandopi Pravartate (प्रयोजनमनुद्दिश्य न मन्दोऽपि प्रवर्तते). It means "Even a fool will not start a work without seeing its utility". It is found in the 59th verse of Sri Parashara Smriti. Sage Parashara is the grandson of Sage Vasishta and father of Sage Veda Vyasa. While discussing importance of aim with his friend and classmate Sage Mitreya, Sage Parashara mentions this. The word "Manda" denotes a person of low IQ or a stupid person, mentally dull and lacking sense. The import of the discussion is that when even a dull and stupid person does not venture into actions without weighing the likely rewards or outcome, how come a man of ordinary intelligence plunge into actions? This is even more relevant in the case of intelligent people pursuing higher goals.

It is said that this phrase finds references in the works of Mimamsakas like Kumarila Bhatta, who believed that the "Karta" or the "Doer" is the centre of all activities and pursuits.

The full reference for this quotation can be seen in the celebrated work Sarva Vedanta Siddhanta Saara Sangraha of Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada or Sri Adi Shankara. Verse 12 of this work reads thus:

प्रयोजनम् संप्रवृत्तेः कारणं फललक्षणम् |

प्रयोजनमनुद्दिश्य न मन्दोऽपि प्रवर्तते ||

Prayojananam sampravruteeh kaaranam phalalakshanam

Prayojanamanuddishya na mandopi pravartate

There can be arguments that some actions have no aim. An example can be when a child smiles at someone around. What is the aim of that action of smiling and what does the child get back? The answer for the question is that the child is acknowledging someone's presence and the smile is an expression of that recognition. What is the reward? The someone at whom the child smiles also returns the smile involuntarily. The child learns the first lessons of communication and is benefited by the process resulting in its overall growth. That the child loses this innocence as it grows and refuses to acknowledge presence of others is a different matter. 

What about the actions of a Saadhaka who is indulging in Nishkama Karma? He does not expect anything while discharging his duties. Does he not have any aims? For such a person, discharging his duties without any rewards is itself the aim and goal. His actions automatically get the rewards of contentment and fulfilment.

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In summary, one should have well defined aims or objectives before actions. The actions must be implemented in the directions of those well-defined goals. The aims and goals are never to be lost sight of in the midst of actions. When there is no definite aim or when actions are made having lost sight of the defined aim, it results in aimless wandering. Then it becomes the proverbial wild-goose chase!