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A mendicant observed severe penances. On account of his rigorous austerities, he acquired certain powers. One day when he was absorbed in meditation, the droppings of a bird fell on his head. The tapaswi got annoyed and looked at the bird with anger. Lo and behold, the bird was reduced to ashes by his frowning looks. Intoxicated with the extraordinary power, he went for collecting Bhiksha, as was his wont. Standing before a house, he asked for alms. The housewife inside was busy serving her husband and so, there was considerable delay in the offer of food to the mendicant. The rishi looked at her angrily. And the lady said "Sir, I am not a bird to be burnt by your stare". The person was surprised and said 'Ma, how do you know about the burnt bird". The lady said "Sir, it is the fruit of my devotion to duty. If you want further details about the duty, go to a particular butcher in the market place". The mellowed mendicant proceeded to the said person and was shocked to see him engaged in cutting and selling mutton. After waiting for some time, the man asked 'Sir are you sent by that noble lady to learn about duty from me?" The rishi was much more surprised to hear from him about his past.
The butcher took him to his house and after completing his daily obligations to the parents, explained in clear terms one's duty.
Duty is sincerity in the discharge of one's chosen profession. Every work is noble. It is sraddha that makes a work noble. No work is superior or inferior. Scavenging is as noble as the study of scriptures. Let us by God's grace devote ourselves to the duties allotted to us or chosen by us.
It is better to like the work we do than doing the work we like.
"Pay as much attention to means as to the end. Work is worship"--- Swami Vivekananada
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