We need to develop the sense of right intention and purpose & lead life accordingly to achieve Nirvana.Does right intention mean aligning yourself with what is considered good & keeping away from what is bad?Concepts of Good and bad are influenced by the prevailing Moral & ethical values which differ from group to group.
There is only one way we can discover right intention & purpose i.e. by aiming enlightened. Anything that supports and takes us nearer to this goal is the Right intention.
In the Ramayana, as young boys the three brothers Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Vibhishana sat in deep meditation, and invoked Brahma. All three put huge efforts into their spiritual endeavour and Brahma was pleased. He appeared before them and blessed them and said,"I am pleased with your meditation & wish to grant you boons. Ask what you want."
Ravana wanted immortality & power to rule the earth.Kumbhakarana wished to rule heaven but by the slip of the tongue asked for a life of slumber and luxury.Vibhishna did not want any of these. All he wanted was to immerse in Divine devotion. Their wishes were accepted. While Ravana & Kumbhakarana were eventually destroyed due to their greed, Vibhishna experienced spiritual oneness with Lord Rama. Same effort but different intentions. Thus relentless efforts alone are not enough the effort should also have the right intention.
Life is an opportunity to get spiritually evolved & thereby discover the Divine within and around us.If our intentions and goals are in consonance with cosmic harmony, then we will make swift progress.