The obligations that bind man can be considered under four headings: avoiding sin (papa), escaping curse (shapam), observing law (shasana) and following the codes (shastra). (SSS Vol.16)

Three kinds of obligations occur in life. These are:

1. Sambandham - Commitments, which are voluntarily undertaken.
2. Nirbandham - Compulsory obligations arising out of one’s position.
3. Kartavyam - The right of appropriate action in any particular situation.

Suppose a person invited some friends to his home for a party; he could always postpone or cancel the invitation if he was not feeling well. That is an example of Sambandham. If, however, the same person had to attend an important meeting in his office and it was physically possible for him to go even though he was feeling sick, then he should discharge his duty, regardless of his personal condition. This obligation is a consequence of the Nirbandham, the compulsory duties associated with the position he held. An example of Kartavyam is the case of a man who is in an angry mood, following a disagreement with his wife. If at that time a friend happens to calls at his house, he should not display his anger towards the friend, but welcome him cordially. This is the right conduct appropriate to that situation therefore, that is his Kartavyam. If he behaved in an angry mood, the friend would be perplexed and very much disturbed, as he would not be able to understand the reason for such conduct. Right conduct required that the angry feelings the man had towards his wife should not be revealed to his friend. (SS Jan 85 , p. 7)