Ever since man evolved to be able to think, this has been the prevalent question: Why exactly this human life? A life we know, bestowed with so much power.
Consciousness to know I exist. That I am My Self, not someone else.
A mind that Thinks, and also Perceives.
A body that can be both strong and vulnerable.
With these ideals, we also have a curse bestowed upon us: Mistrust.
We just cannot get along, with each other and Nature. Through civilisations have we fought, almost knowingly seeking to destroy the rest of us.
Why were we given these particular qualities? Why was I born? What is my purpose? And then, what is the purpose of my brethren, fellow humans?
A Lifetime of a 100 years, of which in 20 we are our healthiest, most productive selves.
The first and last 20, we are dependant on others, but are also the greatest reasons, even teachers for those in the other generations.
The 40 years in between, we try to get by, be of help, in whatever roles we play!
So going back to my original question, what lies at the end of the rainbow? What will culminate civilisation? Where are we headed to? What as the human race, are our goals? Not just us, but the future generations, our own offsprings.
If you are unable to fathom anything else, one would say, at least know this as your goal. Ensure continuity of the human race. But to my mind, it bears the question: Why? An endless cycle, is it not? Subroto Roy said: No one does anything for anyone. Everything we do, is for our own satisfaction; it may be physical, mental and even emotional (when we "go out of our way to help").
If we look within, don't we bring a newborn to this world for our own selfish reasons? My child, My future!
Do we give birth to him/her that he may live a life of luxury. We know he has to go through all the pain and fury. Yes, mingled with fun and pleasure, but still the whole nine yards. So let's not deceive ourselves.
Notwithstanding why we are here, we have taken up on ourselves one purpose: progress! Except of-course, the terrorist, whose motives we don't really understand. But otherwise, through eras and civilisations, we have been bent upon progressing. In defining the roles of man and woman, refining our living habits and comforts, and producing and manufacturing more than our own needs.
We want to go faster, higher, reach out. What is the limit, we ourselves don't know.
Nature too throws a few toys at us: new diseases out of nowhere, natural calamities, and the Universe so vast. All mysteries we have given lifetimes to grasp.
One rationale I find is closest to explaining it, is that we are Atman. Through births having progressed to this highest form of life, awaiting liberation to meet the Parmatman, our original source.
If that we agree upon being true, our first reaction would be to be overwhelmed. It immediately then takes us to the path of seclusion-looking inward. Grow spiritually and suppress all "baser" needs. But if those be the lower, why are they in us.
Can anyone really stop our body from being hungry? And if so, why? The common nature of humans is to live together, in a "society". We are social beings.
So I doubt if denial really is the answer to our own growth. Would we not be wasting away the grand gifts blessed by Nature?
To summarize, if we are not to eat, why then a stomach. Even more, if we are not to think, why then the mind.
And that purpose brings me to the subject of this article, how do we live this Human Life?
I know not the whole answer, but I believe it lies in Lord Krishna's life. I'd strongly recommend the book 'Yuganta' by Iravati Karve.
He was human, but he understood Life. That was, indeed, the source of his vast understanding, and even powers.
He grew up, lived life, and died, as any normal human being. He was naughty as a child, infatuated as an adolescent, and well-married when in youth. He was as much a warrior as a philosopher who grew to realize strategy rather than personal combat gives more gains.
Krishna was as much driven by circumstance as we are. Born in the age where a great war was portent, respected for being wise by both warring sides, definitely not an enviable position. Even he could not stop his own clan from fighting amongst themselves and destroying themselves.
And I think the greatest lesson he learnt, and he kept reiterating to Arjuna before the war in Kurukshetra (now encompassed as the Bhagavad Gita) is this:
Experience It All, But Do Not Be Attached To It!
And the more I think, I live, I do things. The more I observe myself and situations around, the more I realize that to be true.
Realizing (and teaching) that is the cornerstone of what made Krishna immortal in time. (He was even elevated to the status of being an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Definitely a making from way after his time. Hinduism during that era, was based on self-enquiry, than the idol-worshipping and ritualistic religion it has now become.)
And that concludes my understanding and opinion on the topic:
Human Life itself is Not made for Austerity.
As the weekly cycle, we all have our needs- from the very life that we are born of.
The ordinary man can (and maybe should), experience all in Human Life, but in Moderation. Excess, is the mark of Attachment, the cause of all downfall.
As Gandhiji even once alluded, unless you touch the muddy water with your feet, you don't really know why to avoid it!
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