510. The reason for a continuous conflict between Call of Duty and Self-Interest.....

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/science-of-spirituality/the-reason-for-a-continuous-conflict-between-call-of-duty-and-selfinterest

While explaining Arjuna about his duties as a Kshatriya, Sri Krishna warns him of those duties which are not prescribed to him and says by undertaking those he will not be benefited instead it will be a hindrance for his growth. There are two instances in Bhagavad-Gita where Sri Krishna talks about prescribed duty and ones nature here are those two instances:  

“Sreyan Svadharmo Vigunah Paradharmat Svanusthitat
Svadharme Nidhanam Sreyah Paradharmo Bhayavahah”

It is far better to discharge ones prescribed duties, even though they may be imperfectly, than doing another's duties. Destruction in the course of performing one's own duty is better than engaging in another's duties, for to follow another's path is dangerous.

“Sreyan Svadharmo Vigunah Paradharmat Svanusthitat                                                  Svabhava Niyatam Karma Kurvan Apnoti Kilbisam.”

It is far better to discharge one's prescribed duties, even though they may be imperfectly, than doing other's duties. Doing action enjoined according to one’s nature, one does not incur fault.

Now what is Sva-Dharma and how is it different from Dharma ? While Dharma is the righteous duty which is expected in every individual to have a harmonious society, Sva-Dharma is Dharma coated with self-interest. To explain further let us suppose there is a person who donates funds every year to an old age home. If that person does not care for his own aged parents the donations he had given does not invite admiration. He has to set right everything at home and give a helping hand to others later. Some are eager to be a philanthropist to show their elite-ness and trigger their status, but is it right if they lack the same interest on their prescribed duties??? 

Sva-Dharma is ones duties which arise from ones own roles and responsibilities in life. Taking up those roles and responsibilities provides order and stability to our lives in particular and society in general. When each individual perform their responsibilities well then there is no need for another individual to step into his shoe to carry out them. There are few who do Dharmic task thinking they get recognitions in the society but ignore those duties that are prescribed to them. Sri Krishna warns those people by telling them that Dharmic task even though done excellently is not better compare to the prescribed duty done imperfectly. Even though I cannot provide a high class comfort to my parents but do as I can afford to, it is better than providing high class comforts to those in the old age home. In fact if every individual looks after their parents well at home, the strength at the old age home could be minimized.       

For my Sva-Dharma to be carried out properly my Sva-Bhava (Innate Nature) has to be on the right path. Sva-Bhava means ones preferences towards likes and dislikes. My Sva-Bhava incites me to feel interested in certain activities and unconcerned to some. From where does Sva-Bhava in me gets sprouted? My Sva-Bhava has its roots in my Vasanas (Tendencies) and Samskaras (Impressions) from pasts many births. There is a need to alter this Sva-Bhava if it is contrdicting Sva-Dharma. If Sva-Bhava is synchronised with Sva-Dharma there is inner purity which is called Antahkarana Shuddhi.

Sometimes Sva-Bhava and Sva-Dharma might not synchronise and may go in opposite directions creating a conflict in mind. We might be inclined in doing something while the call of the duty wants us to do other. It is wise to look at the Dharma (Righteousness) factor at that time. It is at this time we need to take the advice of elders and decide what has to be done. In most cases Sva-Dharma is altered according to Sva-Bhava which is not the correct way. Sva-Bhava has to be modified as per Sva-Dharma. When duties are done on this line there are greater chances of excellence and satisfaction in doing them. Collectively if every single person does his duty well then the whole society will look better and there would be less conflict in interpersonal relationships…………… What Say????