Purpose of life – or why am I here on this earth?

Murali Chemuturi

Being a Brahmin by birth, it was inevitable that philosophy of life was discussed in my
presence many times.

What is life?

Why am I here?

What am I doing?

What should I be doing?

I do not know why I am brought into this world – I have no clue even now!!

These questions plagued me many times. Answers – that were given to me – were not
satisfactory. I came across philosopher Ramana Maha Rushi’s question – “Find out who
you are” – intrigued me. So also was the statement of Osho Rajneesh – “Realize what
you are doing before you do it”.

These statements set me off thinking. Over a period of time, I came to think the below
enumerated conclusions – right or wrong – these are my conclusions and I don’t expect
any one to agree with these – but if some one agrees, it sure gratifies me!!!

I do not have choice over certain aspects of my life – my parents, my siblings, my other
relatives, my physical appearance and strength, my mental capabilities, my childhood
environment and upbringing, my teachers in school and college, my bosses and
subordinates, to name some.

Some roles are thrust on me – I have no choice again here!!

1) As a branch of my family tree (from the first person to me) if I produce offspring
and a leaf if I do not.
2) Son to my father and mother – their expectations are different
3) Grand Son to my grand parents
4) Grand Father to my Grand Children
5) Son-In-Law to my in-laws
6) Father-in-Law to my Daughters-in-Law
7) Younger brother to my elder sister and elder brother to my younger sisters–
again – their expectations are different!!
8) Younger brother to my elder brother and elder to my younger brother – again –
their expectations are different!!
9) Brother-in-Law to my sisters’ husbands
10) Brother-in-Law to my wife’s brothers
11) Brother-in-Law to my brothers’ wives
12) Brother-in-Law to my wife’s sisters
13) Co-Son-in-Law to my co-sons-in-law
14) Nephew to my uncles and aunts
15) Uncle to my nephews and nieces
16) Father to my Sons
17) Follower of my religion
18) A student to my teachers
19) Teacher to my students (I conducted a number of training programs and taught
part time)
20) Junior to my seniors and senior to my junior students
 21) Subordinate to my superiors
22) Superior to my subordinates
23) A peer to my colleagues
24) Employee to the organization where I worked
25) Employer to my employees
26) Customer to some
27) Vendor to some
28) Tax Payer to various governments
29) Citizen wherever I am
30) Neighbor to my neighbors
31) Friend to my friends
32) Acquaintance to my acquaintances
33) Enemy to my enemies
34) God / Devil to favor-seekers (depends on whether I fulfill their expectations)
35) Pest to those to whom I look up for favors
36) Sucker to fund-raisers
37) Pedestrian to a driver
38) Driver to a pedestrian
39) Spectator while watching a movie, a sport or a performance
40) Performer while performing for public viewing
41) Role Model to some – at least my children and grand children (Hopefully!!)
42) Upholder of my country / language / religion / town / native place / caste etc.

Did I miss any role?

I am expected to execute these roles to the best of my ability and if I do not possess the
ability, can I hide behind the excuse that I am not able – so long as I am able to acquire
those abilities? I think, that I ought to acquire those abilities to perform those roles well.

Is this my role in life – is this why I was brought into this world? I am not sure but
suspicious that this is.

I now think that I defined who I am in this life and my targets seem to be clear – perform
those roles as they should be performed. Each role has obligations (expectations of
others concerned) as also, rights.

My view is that one needs to fulfill his obligations fully, even if, the rights are not fully
received. I have seen some (to my good fortune) who do so and I have seen many (to
my misfortune) who insist on their rights but escape obligations.

After attaining some insights into these aspects, I am trying to not insist on my rights and
insist on fulfilling my obligations.

What else does God expect of me? I think that He expects me –

1. Defend and protect myself and my dependents (but not offend and subjugate)
2. Utilize all the strengths and grow to my full potential (but not to suppress)
3. Suffer for my weaknesses (but not to whine)
4. Consume resources based on need but replenish them (not hoard)
5. Enjoy but let others also enjoy (not at the cost of others)
 6. Just as I am created and if he gave me capacity for – procreate (with the proviso
that I provide well for the offspring – in the whole creation, it is only human
beings that indulge in sex just for the heck of it – all other forms of life do it only
for procreation)

I think that this is the purpose of my life – that is fulfilling the obligations and
expectations thrust on me by God.

Looking at my past, I must admit that I could have done better.

Now these questions are still not answered –

Where from did I come?

Where would I go from here?

How is my performance so far?

I will have to keep looking for answers.

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I would gratefully accept your feedback – please email me at murali@chemuturi.com
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