Page:The Message and Ministrations of Dewan Bahadur R. Venkata Ratnam, volume 3.djvu/83

38 final judgment on Life is the verdict of Duty. Again, marvellous is the change of aspect in which Duty successively presents itself. It is usual to picture Duty as 'stern’; and severely stern it undoubtedly is, as it enforces fidelity. But before long, experience discovers stern duty to be stimulating purpose. Through discipline comes development- And as development expands and enriches life, duty is ultimately hailed as delight. Discipline, Development, Delight—these mark the stages in the transformation of sternness into sweetness- Duty may at first be struck out ‘as the waters out of the rock but, in the end, Duty oozes ‘as honey from the comb’. With this grace of sublimating labour into pleasure. Duty endears itself to life. Indeed, in the crowning accomplishment of man—self-realisation, life is duty, duty is life. The paramount duty enjoined by Culture is to realise the soul and surrender it to service. The supreme reward of a life devoted to Culture is the privilege to dedicate itself to love and service—that beatitude the glory of which has been