I'm sure most of us have questioned the use of our individual being at one point of time or the other. The anxiety is common when one has accomplished something, or failed in the attempt. What does my life (or anyone else's) amount to? Do my efforts make a difference? Why is there emptiness despite all my efforts to fill it up?

I have known persons who would desist initiatives citing the 'futility of life.' "Inspirations always lead to frustrations, don't they?" But, somehow, I don't think futility exists. I seriously trust what we are today is because of what we did yesterday. Every grain of constructive (or destructive) output makes a difference to our lives, with or without our knowledge. The achievements of the past hundred years are a clear proof, I think.

The anecdote from the Mahabharatam describing Arjuna's concentration in striking the wooden bird's eye during an archery session is a lesson in itself. To hit the eye is the innate desire to achieve. When action is born out of this instinct, all one needs to do is pull the string of the bow to the right length with the right force, aim and shoot.

The process of shooting is the action, and not hitting the eye; and nine out of ten times the eye will be hit. This single-minded involvement in action with a complete detachment in the result is futility's doom. I have seen when action is born out of a desire born out of the innate desire, like the desire for fame or money, then, despite one's involvement in the cause, one fails.

Conditioning the mind not to look for results even before the act should not be a difficult task. Even if some of us could structure our minds so, the 'fundamental interconnectedness of all things - especially human minds' - would sure make a difference to our tomorrow. So, let's stick to the basics - says Mahabali.