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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

 

Ephemerality of human existence

 

CHENNAI, AUG. 4. The Law of Nature has clearly laid down that any

type of union between two or more should result in disintegration

or separation at some time or the other. So too, the growth of

any object will one day end in decay. Likewise, birth or

appearance in this world in any form, say an insect or a plant or

a human being, will be cut short if not immediately, at least

after some years. Among many comparisons about the progress in

human life, a saint points out how the mud pot that is made by an

artisan may undergo several stages. Even as clay, the shape may

not be to his expectation. Some pots may not be perfect even when

he tries to mould it using the rotating wheel. Some may break

even before placing them in the kiln and some even after being

baked.

 

This example of the ephemerality of human existence was the

outpouring of one of the most virtuous characters in the

Mahabharatam, viz., Vidhura while admonishing the blind emperor

who lost all his sons in the Kurukshetra battle. ``Why mourn over

those who have fought bravely and died with honour? They have

reached the kingdom of warriors.'' Vidhura continued that ``death

is certain to anyone born. One's educational distinctions, wealth

or caste will be of no significance after one dies. Can anyone

identify a skeleton and say that it is that of a rich man or a

scholar or of a higher born. Also, no one can carry anything with

him for his journey in next life.''

 

``Even if one cries for years, will a relative who has breathed

his last come alive'' asks the famous poet Avvaiyar. Later

consoling Dhritarashtra, Vidhura pointed out that even after

witnessing a parade of corpses, those alive forget that they too

will one day have to be carried by others. ``Those who have

passed away are being mourned by the `living dead'''. Questioning

the emperor whether he knows his past, how many births he had

taken and who were his parents, Vidhura said the way to face such

calamities is to develop detachment from early days. Some who

know swimming will cross a river, some who are not so perfect may

be washed away and similarly some will be successful and a few

see to their exit early.''

 

In his lecture, Sri. K. P. Arivanandam said earlier to Vidhura,

Sanjaya criticised the blind king as to how he had pampered his

sons even while they were young instead of condemning their

deceitful designs to destroy their cousins. Having been shown the

wrong path, these children sought the company of evil men and

encouraged by them, became turbulent and hence rejected sane

advice. Now it was too late to regret or grieve.

 

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