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!

Wedding Reception, with a difference

Marriage functions were a week long affair in this part of the country, some six or seven decades ago.  It was pruned to five days in the 1950s and 60s.  It was abridged to a three-day capsule in the later 60s. This continued till the 70s after which a two-day function became the norm.  The second day was for the main event and a reception would follow in the evening.  Elders considered the main event on the second morning very sacred.  When they attended this part of the function, they felt it as a duty performed sincerely.  Modern busy life style brought a new meaning to "Wedding Receptions".  There are some advantages in  such receptions; there is no need to be at the venue at  fixed timings.  One can go at any time during the time slot of three to four hours.  Neither the host nor the guest have time for each other.  A mere broad smile and shaking of hands will assure the host that the invitation has not gone a waste.  The guest also does not bother about niceties of being taken care of.  In such gatherings, everyone takes care of himself or herself. In fact, except the photographers and videographers, everyone is relaxed and comfortable.  Or one does so believe and behave.

In many countries, such events are planned in detail and often the job is entrusted to a "Planner" or "Consultant".  Even the table at which the guest is to sit is per-planned.  There is no place for gate-crashers. "I just came to know that the function is arranged.  What is the meaning of formal invitation between us?  It is our own function, no?", one does not have the luxury of saying so in these countries.  Hosts here believe that they are planning all the details of a "Wedding Reception".  The events are certainly planned, but not by the hosts.  The Choultry or Hall owner decides what are the decorations to be made.  We are allowed limited freedom of selecting from one of the photographs in the album shown to us.  The caterer decides what the guests eat.  Videographers and photographers decide where we stand and for how many seconds.  There may be some excellent music concert by well known artistes, but it is more of a humiliation to the artistes than recognition of their talents in the high decibel level noises in the hall.  When the reception is to be held is decided by the rent paid for the hall.  This often dictates that the reception is held before the actual marriage ceremony.  In the initial days this was frowned upon.  Now everyone has reconciled to it.  One can even say that families who hold the reception after the main event are still backward and need to become progressive.  More important than all, when the bride and groom arrive at the hall and give "Darshan" to the waiting guests is decided by the "Beautician".  An answer has now been found for solving the problem of restlessness among the guests.  Many wedding receptions now allow guests to have a sumptuous dinner before greeting the newly-weds.  If you are in a hurry and the newly-wed or going-to-be-wed couple have not arrived at the venue and held up at the beauty parlor, hand over the gift (mostly in the form of an envelope as it is easy to carry and avoids pains of shopping for an ideal gift) to the parents of the couple.  Assuming that they have also not gone to visit another beautician.  There is perfect understanding among all concerned and there is no possibility of being misunderstood.

A wedding reception that we attended last week was indeed a reception with a difference.  We knew only the bridegroom, one of our students.  But the invitation was extended to us by his parents who had traveled some 30 kilometers only to invite us personally.  The invitation had a long list of family members of the hosts and indicated that they were from a cultured family.  The invitation requested the guests to be present at the venue by 4 PM.  Some cultural programs were also planned as depicted in the invitation.  When we reached the venue at 4 PM, all the persons mentioned in the invitation were present to receive the guests.  Refreshments were served in an orderly manner.  Cultural programs started on time.  Little children recited "Shanti mantras" to begin the program.  They were followed by four young girls who represented the four directions - East, West, North and South.  Each one had a message for the gathering; peaceful co-existence, spirituality, patriotism and teamwork.  There was a group dance in praise of the Mother Goddess Chamundeswari.  Elder members of the family were called upon the stage to light the lamp to inaugurate the celebrations.  All of them were given mementos specially made for the wedding reception function.  All the teachers of the bridegroom were invited one by one and honoured on the stage and newly-wed couple received their blessings. There were teachers starting from Nursery school to College. Those who taught music and Hindi were also there.  There were other items of cultural programs including skits and group dances.  The bridegroom himself took part in the events through singing and mono-acting. 

At 7.30 PM the newly-weds entered the stage from the two sides, singing and dancing.  Thereafter it was a regular wedding reception.  The only difference was it was a served banana-leaf dinner instead of the usual buffet fare.

The quality of cultural program was of a very high quality and received wide appreciation from all the guests.  It was indeed a "Wedding Reception" with a difference.