Commitment
Very often I am stumped by this words Commitment. Sometimes we use this word very loosely signifying our intent to do something for others. At the same time I have heard from people that "What is there in commitment" and when they breach the commitment the easiest justification is "Did I give that in writing". Our mind goes for justification to justify a breach of our commitment. I have heard different views and my experience is different. Not only my experience but my view that once a commitment is given it is final till last.
I am not talking here about a personal commitment in family or a business commitment. But I am talking about commitment which we share or give it to others out of relation,friendship, mentor or towards a cause.
To illustrate a commitment I go back to my favorite epics in Ramayana and Mahabharata. In Ramayana I see few commitments
Bharath to Ram.
Though Bhararth had an opportunity to rule the kingdom yet he chose to rule as a trustee of Ram by keeping his padhukas in his chair. In my view this is a commitment by Bharath to Ram as Ram being his eldest brother, his love on Ram; all the more he does not want people to consider him as a traitor. This commitment is borne out of natural love due to the fact Ram being a brother and fear of being labelled as a traitor.
Ram to Sugreeva.
Ram committed to kill Vali and he honoured that commitment of killing Vali by standing behind a tree. This is a need based commitment as he needs Sugreeva's help to search Sita and to fight Ravana.
Kumbakarana's commitment to Ravana
Kumbakarna who is Ravanas younger brother advises Ravan of his wrong doing and request him to send back Sita and desist from waging a war against Ravana. Though Ravan does not listen, Kumbakarna choses to fight for Ravan and die. Kumbakarna knows that he will not win the war and he knows his end. Despite he chose to fight for his brother. Again this is the commitment which was undertaken by Kumbakarna to stand by his loyalty to his brother
Hanumans commitment to Ram
Hanuman commitment to Ram is purely arising out of love dedication and his belief in Ram. There is no blood relation between Hanuman and Ram unlike others. This was not a need based commitment like Ram to Sugreeva. In fact Ram took more of Lord Hanuman's help.This was purely a commitment which arises out of love affection and dedication and not a reciprocal arrangement or expectation of something.
Similarly let me come to Mahabharata. In Mahabharata we can read and hear lot of commitments but I would like to give thoughts on few commitments.
Karna to Duryodhana
Again this is a commitment by Karna to Duryodhana to stand by him and his friendship as it was Duryodhana who identified Karna and made him a King. This is very interesting relation because Karna was prepared to give himself and prepared to battle out for Duryodhana. Despite the fact he realizes that he is the eldest of Pandavas and his mother is Kunti yet he chose to rescind the kingdom but prepared to go with Duryodhana. On the other hand Duryodhana chose Karna because he was impressed by his skill and he is the best bet to beat Arjuna. Duryodhana's commitment to Karna is laced with Selfishness. Karna sacrificed himself and the offer of position and his mothers affection which he was craving for the sake of his friendship and loyalty towards Duryodhana.
Lord Krishna's commitment to Pandavas.
Lord Krishna committed to protect Pandavas till last and he honours his word. But this was a commitment by Lord to protect his devotees and to stand by the purpose of his birth. Pandavas were the devotees of Lord Krishna and sought his commitment to protect them till last.
But when we compare all those commitments what stands out is Lord Hanuman's commitment to Ram and Karna's commitment to Duryodhana. Both are selfless, carries no expectations and only laced with love, affection, dedication and loyalty. Both Hanuman and Karna were used by Ram and Duryodhana, yet they allow themselves to be be used and stood by their cause. The only difference is Lord Hanuman was to Ram who was more righteous but Karna was towards a human being who did not have the right qualities.
In my view every commitment always comes with difficulties. Sometimes hurt or wound or in a language of my friend "Self Inflicted Wound". I have heard so many comments on this commitment and some of them are
In today's world even there is a break between husband and wife. What is so great about this commitment to others be it any person.
These commitments may appear to be one sided as one person is in a position of strength and other is in a position of weakness and others can exploit the commitment for his advantage.
In today's materialistic world why commitment to somebody or some cause and make me like a fool or create a self inflicted wound as others does not understand.
Some of the statements or arguments may appear to be true. But in my view and experience the commitment which does not have any expectations and which comes out of natural love, affection, regards, respect on others will stand out. When we try to honour the commitment we are faced with with various challenges and in the process we get hurt by the same person to whom we commit. But despite this in my view a person should carry on to keep up his word or commitment. The question that often posed to me is what happens if we break the commitment. My view is simple. It is very easy to break and every act of breaking can be justified. But it is difficult to honour a commitment and work on that despite challenges. In my experience a commitment to spouse or father or mother will have a personal discipline and commitment to friend, mentor or to a good and genuine person will have a social discipline. I have lot of examples on this comitment which has changed some aspects of my life.
I dont think we can be Lord Hanuman or Karna as we neither have Lord Ram or even Duryodhana amidst us. But certainly if we have few traits of Hanuman or Karna and carry ourselves with a sense of commitment as it makes lot of sense depsite we may encounter "Self Inflicted Wound".
Have a great week ahead.
