All World
Gayatri Pariwar

If universe is studied from scientific perspective, then the whole universe can be seen as pervaded with heat, light and sound waves, or more precisely with electromagnetic and subtler energy waves. There are atomic storms everywhere. There is repulsion and attraction between various substances. The universe looks as if a magician is running a show in a magical city. This indeed is the real picture of the universe where there is gigantic storm stirring inside whatever seems stationary from outside. Every constituent of inert substance seems to have its own separate existence but they don't remain static for long. There is a rapid change occurring in them. Even within a living being, it is amazing how every cell remains active – producing, transporting, receiving some bio-chemical or physiological signal, every moment. The whole fabric of this universe is amazing. Its mercurialness is beyond comprehension for a normal brain. Universe seems stationary to an untrained mind but that is a pure delusion.

If life is visualized under this mercurialness then we reach close to the reality. The penetration of ovum by the sperm yields a fertilized cell that slowly transforms into an embryo, which then develops into a foetus in the uterus and eventually gets born as a child. The child goes from infancy to childhood to adolescence and then on to youth. Youth culminates into old age. Body becomes weak and fragile and eventually death takes over the body. The visible becomes invisible and starts searching for an avenue for new birth. Then follows the same sequence, the same state and the same destiny. We cruise along in this circle of change. The time that is gone never returns. The journey from life to death is incessant. But it is surprising that man believes himself to be ‘permanently the same’. He fails to notice the changes and the disintegration and remains entangled in his present. He doesn't even think of his eventuality. The fallout of this delusion comes out when it is already too late and there is no option left except repentance.

The wise, like the fools, believe in the delusion of the present being everything and everlasting. Circumstances change with time. Infancy doesn't remain in a grown up child, childishness disappears at the onset of youth and no sign of youth remains in old age. Even in these days of better knowledge, man does not pay attention to the rapid pace of change and does not think and act according to what the situation demands.

The profile of the present must be constructed keeping an eye on the future and creating a right balance with it. When children grow up, their guardians start focussing on their education, marriage and job. They start putting efforts to make the right arrangements for it. Before the rains, arrangements are made for the embankments in the farm and for the roof of the house to be appropriately repaired. Woollens are arranged before the winter starts and before the summer strikes the clothes are appropriately changed. The farmer does not make such a mistake. After sowing the seeds, he pays attention to the soil fertility, watering and surveillance of the crops. If he doesn't pay attention to these, he wouldn't get to reap the crop. The sown seeds would be wasted too. Each one of us knows the importance of preparing well for future keeping our immediate interest in mind, or following others but, ironically, no preparations are made to keep the future perfect by keeping an eye on the continuous changes in life. This ideological vacuum must not be allowed if we really want to elevate our life.

Road Map to Fulfilling Life:

To be born as a human being is a rare gift. Man is the greatest creation of God. No other creature has been gifted with such privileges. Man has received evolved faculties and rights only so that he correctly utilizes them, with responsibility and discretion, to take imperfection to perfection and exhibit his skills in making this world – the garden of God — more picturesque, happier place for all living beings. This is the foresight and discretion that results in a heavenly blissful life and a liberated thinking.

But, all this is possible only if the importance of the present and possibilities of the future are kept in mind while drawing out any programmes and schedules. It is possible only when together with world order, the changing circumstances of life are kept in mind and also no mistakes are made in defining a bright future. Hindu philosophers have defined the four stages of life with the intention that each of these four turns, doors or crossroads provides a specific direction and inspiration to advance the journey (of the soul) from imperfection to perfection.

In the childhood, keeping in mind the needs of the youth, the need is to remain obsessed with keeping the body healthy and training and developing the mind through education and nurturing of skills and talents. Those who keep this focus during this first stage (called Brahamcharya Ashram), clearly their youth will be competent and orderly. Those who in their youth bear their responsibilities and organize their finances to last them till their final days have truly exercised prudence in their lives. This stage (Grahastha Ashram) of life is the phase to practice self-discipline and expand and make creative use the physical and mental potentials. Like taking interest in physical exercises and studies during the first phase, it is important, while making worldly progress and enjoying family life in the second phase, to observe abstinence and enhance physical and mental strength in the youth otherwise the old age would be painful due to the hollowness.

The old age (vaanprastha) is best utilized in returning the favour of millions of those who have provided immeasurable support during one's lifetime, by sincerely engaging oneself into tasks of social service and promotion of goodwill. In this period, the task of making the children or younger family members self-dependent and cultured citizens is almost over. Hence, all the available time and potential must be dedicated to welfare of the needy. The fourth stage is dedicated to renunciation (sanyaas). Moving with the times, this fourth stage must be combined with vaanprastha. Life's first half must be kept for worldly duties and progress and the latter half must be entrusted to charitable purposes. This system of four stages of life is thoroughly beneficial for serving the purpose of self-development as well as uplifting of the society and thus helps one accomplish a truly fulfilling life.

But, this system does not get implemented successfully. People remain rooted in their family life (grahastha) and worldly pleasures from the start of their youth till the dead-end of life. Instead of adopting ideals that have far-reaching benefits, the whole life is often spent on fulfilling selfish aims. Greed, attachment and egoism occupy the mind. Everyone tries to bridge the gulf of ambitions and cravings but this gulf is so deep that in spite of spending everything on it, it is impossible to bridge it. This is the result of ignoring the fundamental reality of life.

In the fast pace of time, the present exists only like a flash of few moments between the past and the future. It is only the present that is in our hand. It is like a quick opportunity of lightening of good luck (to brighten the future). This must be made the best use of, without fail. Lethargy and passion for pleasures are two devils that come in the way of utilizing these moments effectively. There is a need to be vigilant and protect against the attacks of these devils hidden within each one of us. So, watch your thoughts every moment, contemplate on what could be done for further refinement and improvement and do whatever necessary to build a better future.  

The situation before birth and after death must be kept in mind. The birth as a human is achieved after going through almost uncountable number of (referred as eighty-four lakhs in the allegorical style of ancient Indian scriptures) petty life forms and the life-span as a human is very short too. Not even half the population lives the full life. They die an untimely death even while they are pretty young. No one knows what is in store for him? Time flies past and the journey to death goes on at a rapid pace. The useful time is the one at present. Tomorrow may not come or may not be productive due to some long and serious illness or disability. In that situation, doing something for others may be really difficult. On the contrary, it may happen that one may be forced to live a dependent, humiliating or neglected life. These possibilities must not be ignored.  One must be vigilant against letting laxity creep in the efforts to make prudent use of the time in hand. One must not let one's guard down to the extent that it lands one in a state where it is difficult to decide the way forward or take the next course of action.

Know Your Real Self-Interests:

The real interest of the self does not lie in narrow selfishness. Basic necessities are few. The body can be well maintained with a life of an ordinary citizen. Ambitions can be controlled by self-analysis and self-study in the light of the thoughts and works of elevated personalities; desires of pleasure may be channelized in constructive activities and life can be lived in simplicity by exercising restraint. Upon adopting this policy, substantial time can be found for charity that can provide reasons for satisfaction, respect, cooperation, glory and praise. These are the worldly benefits. Bright future in this life and beyond is also associated with benevolent activities. For an altruistic life, there is no need of vast resources. A lot can be achieved even in their absence. One’s own time, industrious efforts and capital of goodwill are no less important. Enormous cooperation, love and content come as natural returns of these.  We can lift our character through integrity, generosity, humility, gentility and service. Just this is sufficient for charity. One need not renounce the worldly life to follow high ideals. Ideals can be associated with the normal activities as well. Once our mind is convinced, once it tastes the fruit of content achieved by self-less service, it begins to enjoy adopting moral ideals and disciplines too.

It is not necessary to erect a monument to cement one's reputation. It is possible to live a life from which others can draw an inspiration for excellence. If one leaves the road to evil and treads a virtuous path then this indirect help can make, not just that person but the whole society, grateful towards the one who provided the inspiration for it. Hearts can be won with courteous and chivalrous behaviour, and in response, it evokes similar behaviour from others. To initiate and promote such traditions is a creditable act which makes not just ours but also other's future bright.

Gentility percolates deep down to the conscience and it gets carried well beyond this life. The future of the saintly cannot be abysmal. They will never fall into misery. The dignity of human existence is in following such learning. It is not necessary to perform major sacramental rituals to attain excellence. Living a life of gentility is a practice that is easy and accessible for everyone.

Amongst all follies, the biggest one is that one forgets the existence of the soul; that one forgets what is in one's true interest and what is not; that one expends oneself over petty ambitions and cravings; that one fails to understand the importance and purpose of life; and that, forgetting the eventual death and believing the comfortable existence of today to be perennial, one wastes time on childish, short-sighted acts that are at best for entertainment and killing time. It will be better if, before it is too late, one understands the situation and takes initiatives that lead to a splendid future.

Everything here is in flux, only virtuous mentality consonant with the conscience, is invariable. If one understands this and latches on to it, a situation can be created where one cannot just carry oneself through towards beatifying goals, but also provide an opportunity for others to sail through as well.