TODAY -

Are our life paths predetermined by a higher power

Bijenti Irengbam *



We have a personal life, professional life and family life where we get maximum happiness or sadness from, while dealing with our family members. One might have thoughts like 'What did I do for myself ?'

There are numerous ways in which we can be led astray into pursuing goals that are unrelated to our basic requirements. Many people identify with their physical body. But the body is simply a covering of the self, like a garment. It is the vehicle by which we, consciously, express ourselves in this world. The eye does not see, the ear does not hear, and the flesh does not feel.

It is consciousness that sees, hears and feels. When consciousness leaves the body, the body is inactive, like a vehicle without a driver. When we look at photos of our childhood, it is fairly easy to recognize how we are distinct from the changing physical body. We are the life force that animates that body.

In Platonism, the meaning of life is in attaining the highest form of knowledge, which is the Idea (Form) of the Good, from which all good and just things derive utility and value. Aristotle's solution is the Highest Good, which is desirable for its own sake. It is its own goal. The Highest Good is not desirable for the sake of achieving some other good, and all other "goods" desirable for its sake.

Arthashastra says, 'This science brings into being and preserves spiritual good, material well-being and pleasures, and destroys spiritual evil, material loss and hatred' (15.1.72) Arthashastra as a generic term refers to the science of politics, Government, and economics, while the Arthashastra attributed to Kautilya is a single text, a compendium of advice for a king, combining much technical information on the running of a kingdom with a good deal of thought on the subject of human psychology.

The Purusharthas have been classified in four—Dharma, Artha, Madana, Kama,and Moksha.

Dharma has always occupied the premier place. Dharma is law in its widest sense—spiritual, moral, ethics and temporal. Every individual, whether the ruler or the ruled, is governed by his or her own Dharma. Dharma contains values of love, justice, equality, devotion to God, loving action, commitment to the welfare of humans as well as to the harmony of the universe and action without selfish attachment.

These values go beyond the boundaries of religions and culture. Life is stressful and empty when we are unaware of our destinies, for no amount of wealth, food, or entertainment can fill us like a tiny grain of purpose. The Vedic tradition asks, "Why chase after different destinies, when it is hard enough to find your own?" Artha follows Dharma. Artha has a much wider significance than merely wealth".

The material well-being of individuals is a part of it. As Kautilya says, 'The Source of the livelihood of men is wealth'. Professor Trautmann's book 'Kautilya the Arthashastra' reminds us that artha, material well-being, is one of the three or four classical goals of life and it is subordinate to Dharma, moral well-being. We experience the phenomenon of "lift" in our everyday life also.

Some ways of thinking and acting drag us down, while others uplift us and lead to optimal outcomes. Dharma is what we might call the phenomenon of "lift" in life, when our state of being is elevated, and our thoughts, words and actions come from the very best place within us. To manifest Dharma is to live in accord with the hidden laws of life – akin to the principles of flight in aeronautics.

Suffering can be either physical or mental or both, but every kind of suffering manifests somewhere in the body and creates tension and stress. We are told that we should release the tension in our body. Many of us have tried very hard ! We want to release the tension in our body, but we can't release it. Our attempts at reducing tension in us won't work. Consciousness is not a thing; it is nothing material !

Yet it is everything, and these things, as we shall see, are perspectives within consciousness looking at its own Self from infmitely different points of view. Some philosophers said that the purpose of life is living a life of Virtue that agrees with Nature. Happiness depends upon being self-sufficient and master of one's mental attitude; suffering is the Dharma including duty, religion, religious merit, morality, social obligations, justice, righteousness, and the law— the good life.

Jnana Margam is one of Hinduism's three fundamental paths (Margas) to Moksha (liberation), emphasizing the 'road of enlightenment' also known as 'self realization'. Jnana is the Sanskrit word for 'knowledge' and it relates to any mental event that is true and accurate over time. The Purusharthas are the 'goals of human existence' or the 'Soul's purpose' as they are referred to in Vedic writings and the major epics of the Ramayana and Mahabharatha.

Madana is frequently represented in Indian mythology as the deity of Love. Madana is the source of everything that is born. Nothing happens without love, from birth to death. The law of karma is a complex law. It works in several ways. So karma is a law of Action and Reaction. The law of karma is a universal law and holds good for everybody. Nobody can escape this law.

Today world believes that what goes around comes around. Karma is not punishment or retribution but simply an extended expression or consequence of natural acts. Everything that is unfolding in our life, moment by moment, is karma. Can we change the present circumstances of our life ?

Things happen and we wonder why they happen, we laugh, we cry, things and our outlooks change with the passing of time, we see and evaluate and the same situation differently. Thus we evolve, and in evolving we change. For example, if we are thirsty and we need to drink, we should try to purify it and make it fit for drinking. We have a great desire to know from where the right action happens.

The right action always looks known because it is a repeated action, passed through many times before. Life has its moments of harmony and its moments of pain. Some of the painful memories fade into unawareness and yet they are still part of reality, and can affect us whether we are conscious of them or not.

Karma, when we talk of karmic healing, consists of resolving painful real life memories that we remain connected to like a trail of hurt left behind in the forgotten darkness of yesterday. Kindness makes the world go round, because everything we do come around.


* Bijenti Irengbam wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was webcasted on January 17 2023.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba Chak Katpa : Gallery
  • Tri-Nation International Football Tournament
  • Modern Cancer Treatment in Manipur
  • International conference on Natural farming
  • Importance of farm pond for agriculture
  • Drowned :: Poem
  • COVID-19 : Impact in Manipur :: News Timeline
  • Poireiton Khunthok (Abridged Translation) #1
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba (Meitei New Year) : Book
  • COVID-19 Status 21 March : Govt of Manipur
  • 'Implement NRC must precede delimitation'
  • Yuva Samvad - India@2047 organized
  • Serum for hair
  • As you sail through the noises
  • Seizure of PDS rice amid erratic distribution
  • Studying with a purpose in mind
  • Yaoshang Mei Loukhatpa #3 : Gallery
  • Liquor prohibition in Manipur
  • Lifting Bhagyachandra and elephant
  • COVID-19 Status 20 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Bishnupur Cricket Association meeting
  • Fake News & Disinformation New Challenges
  • Prospect, feasibility of natural farming in state
  • Manipur and water crisis
  • Lamta Thangja @Kangla Gate : Gallery
  • Sangai Fest: Kabui Dance : Gallery
  • COVID-19 Status 19 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Oil and gas scenario in Manipur
  • NPF's 'Gandhigiri' gestures towards NDPP
  • Spreading happiness as a career choice
  • Afforestation campaign: Test of Govt resilience
  • Poppy plantation & agents of desertification
  • My Memories of Imphal #14 : Download
  • Imphal Turel condition [18 Mar] : Gallery
  • COVID-19 Status 18 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Seminar on Awareness about lifestyle diseases
  • Pole Star :: Poem
  • Blunting of AIDS epidemic: zero-complacency
  • Conduct of election to Municipal in Nagaland
  • Saroi Khangba @ Imphal #2 : Gallery
  • Ima Keithel, a yearlong tourist's destination
  • COVID-19 Status 17 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Her Struggle
  • In Nagaland, NDPP rises & NPF falls
  • Dream Zone - School of Creative Studies
  • Sluggish project works abetting water crisis
  • Taking the NRC call to Delhi : Unifying factor
  • Nongmaithem Tombi Singh's contribution #2
  • Highways of Life :: Movie Review
  • COVID-19 Status 16 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Farewell Maharashtra student : Gallery
  • How healthy is your relationship ?
  • G20: Driving women-led development
  • Yogini Temple of Hirapur, Odisha
  • Holistic laws must to cleanse rot in exam
  • All thunder & lightening but no rain
  • Bora Festival #2 : Gallery
  • Deepika Mayanglambam : Felicitated by Y20
  • COVID-19 Status 15 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Will shorter TB regimen reach those in need
  • From a student, Dear Dhanamanjuri University
  • An inspiring story of a fish farmer journey
  • British Council announces STEM scholarship
  • State's reputation at stake as drug...
  • Briefing Union Home Minister
  • Thabal Competition #1 : Gallery
  • International River day at Lairouching
  • COVID-19 Status 14 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Lembi Leima : Film Premeire at Melbourne
  • Ballad For Gloom :: Poem
  • Dialectics of identity & development #2
  • Patriarchy opting for Gender Equality
  • Demand for NRC, panel testifies restive state
  • All set for HSLC 2023 exams
  • Yaoshang Mei Loukhatpa #2 : Gallery
  • COVID-19 Status 13 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Railways acts as engine of development
  • The Book of Ichigo Ichie :: Review
  • Platform for women to re-start their careers
  • The rising threat of forest fires
  • Land allotment scam amid uproar over eviction
  • Noting stand of Forest Minister
  • English Pronouncing Skills : Book Download
  • Day 5: Yaoshang Sports : Gallery
  • COVID-19 Status 12 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Representation to PM seeking appointment
  • Condemnation of CM N Biren's interview
  • Eco-friendly management of fall armyworm
  • Honesty is the worst privacy
  • Resistance to Govt efforts to protect forests
  • Tough times call for tough decisions
  • My Memories of Imphal #13 : Download
  • Day 4: Yaoshang Sports : Gallery
  • COVID-19 Status 11 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Why COVID-19 continues to be a pandemic?
  • International Women's Day
  • 'Electricity collaboration' diplomacy in BBIN
  • Day 3: Yaoshang Sports : Gallery
  • Yaoshang Sports: Yubi Lakpi at Khongman
  • COVID-19 Status 10 March : Govt of Manipur
  • UNHHRC access to Mizoram & Manipur
  • Govt to withdraw from SOO agreement
  • 4 Filmmakers invited for Indie8 Fest
  • Dialectics of identity & development #1
  • Thabal Chongba @Mongsangei #1 : Gallery
  • Yaoshang Pichakari #1 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2023 #1: Gallery
  • International Women's Day 2023
  • COVID-19 Status 09 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Yaoshang Sports at Khongman
  • International Women's Day at IBSD, Imphal
  • Nakatheng Chatpa @Kakwa : Gallery
  • Yaoshang Mei Loukhatpa #1 : Gallery
  • COVID-19 Status 08 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Sports item distributed at Bishnupur
  • Parents :: Poem
  • Call for world peace & harmony
  • Tips to play safe Holi
  • Yaoshang Mei Thaba @Imphal : Gallery
  • Yaoshang Mei Thaba @Nabadwip : Gallery
  • COVID-19 Status 07 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Yaoshang : Nostalgia, tradition & identity
  • GOI pressure on CM Rio to deliver solution
  • Update gun license otherwise
  • Art Exhibition @ RKCS #1 : Gallery
  • NE Convention on Indigenous Peoples Land
  • COVID-19 Status 06 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Yaoshang (Holi) Festival :: Book
  • Railways: Engine of new growth in NE India
  • Precautionary measures during Yaoshang
  • Persons suffering from Sickle cell disease
  • Training on mushroom at Khangabok
  • Floodlight boon for state's sportspersons
  • Act not think for the future of Meiteis
  • Yaoshang Sen Khaiba : Gallery
  • Students Tour to Nagpur #2 :: Gallery
  • COVID-19 Status 05 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Lampak is calling
  • North East endorses Modi but with conditions
  • Elephanta Caves
  • After village chief, anti-poppy vow by legislator
  • The good & the bad of Yaoshang
  • My Memories of Imphal #12 : Download
  • Sangai Fest: Khutpak Chatkoi #2 : Gallery
  • 538th Birth Anniv of Cheitanya Mahaprabhu
  • COVID-19 Status 04 March : Govt of Manipur
  • Gender gap in STEM: Its impact & solution
  • On Rethinking Corruption
  • How sports help in development of women
  • Lanna Thouram of Chaoren #2 :: Gallery
  • Water use during water crisis: Hunphun/Ukhrul
  • COVID-19 Status 03 March : Govt of Manipur
  • World Wildlife Day : Awareness Cycle Rally
  • Farewell to students from Maharashtra
  • Bodoland International Knowledge Festival
  • Startups & NE India connect
  • Minister Biswajit's anti-poppy stand
  • Show no leniency to poppy growers
  • MANITEX @ Nilakuthi #3 : Gallery
  • Dr Surpriya Hawaibam: Ophthalmology Award
  • Time to get back to basics to end TB
  • In light of reintroducing Damodar Swami
  • Can Myanmar-Bangladesh promote ASEAN
  • Play organic Holi with natural colors
  • Must prepare to derive benefit of border trade
  • ST demand has come a long way
  • Likon Sanaba @Ningthoukhong #2 : Gallery
  • State Project Co-ordinator for Manipur
  • COVID-19 Status 01 March : Govt of Manipur
  • National Science Day at Lilong
  • Lessons from the inferno @Sainik School
  • Messi -- The Name Is Enough -III
  • Tourism is a cross cutting industry
  • Spike in electricity demand
  • Lungnila : Long wait for justice
  • Hiyang Tannaba @ Loktak #4 : Gallery
  • COVID-19 Status 28 Feb : Govt of Manipur
  • Owner of Translucent Umbrella :: Poem
  • Scope of Pentatomidae as bio-control
  • Water shortage, sip on the rocks
  • 'Nagaland Poll- voter turnout of 85%'
  • Challenges to fruition of rice procurement
  • State needs Old Cachar Rd & more highways
  • Nongmaithem Tombi Singh's contribution #1
  • March Calendar for Year 2023 : Tools
  • COVID-19 Status 27 Feb : Govt of Manipur
  • Indigenous Peoples & Forest Rights
  • MPSC Civil Services Aspirants concerns
  • Bridal Beauty Sustainable Show @ Delhi
  • Student delegates from Maharashtra
  • Perennial apathy hallmark of Imp-Jiri road
  • Irrigation & agricultural productivity
  • Saroi Khangba @ Imphal #1 : Gallery
  • The delimitation issues of Manipur
  • Smoking rates decline in Cambodia but...
  • Plenty of money; Famine of leadership
  • Leader versus Boss
  • Fermentation tech of Beauveria Bassiana #2
  • Ugly side of competitive exams comes to fore
  • Economic development & investment
  • My Memories of Imphal #11 : Download
  • Sangai Fest: Cherry Blossom @Mao : Gallery
  • COVID-19 Status 25 Feb : Govt of Manipur
  • The drunken 'Nagaland'
  • Who made who
  • Phone pe Panchayat
  • Lanna Thouram of Chaoren #1 :: Gallery
  • Singarei :: Poem
  • COVID-19 Status 24 Feb : Govt of Manipur
  • iDEX, DIO roadshow : Cybersecurity
  • Call For National Youth Volunteers
  • Prepare to manage future health emergency
  • Myanmar's two years of military rule
  • Bit early to gloat over School Fagathanshi
  • Points from Cong: Unanswered questions
  • Singju Festival @Heingang #1 :: Gallery
  • Students Tour to Nagpur #1 :: Gallery
  • COVID-19 Status 23 Feb : Govt of Manipur
  • G-20 Summit and Manipur
  • Sports Infrastructure in Meghalaya
  • Just an article from the birthday boy
  • Spring skin & hair care and make-up
  • Students under pressure to pass exams
  • Where did the encroachers come from ?
  • 6th Intl Women's Polo #1 :: Gallery
  • The Djinn of vaccine hesitancy
  • COVID-19 Status 22 Feb : Govt of Manipur
  • Messi -- The Name Is Enough -II
  • Challenges to India-Myanmar relations
  • Strength within pain :: Poem
  • Caste Census : Tool for development
  • Anxious moment for CSOs as rail progresses
  • Noting shabby Imphal-Ukhrul road stretch
  • Lui-ngai-ni Fest @ Chandel #1 :: Gallery
  • Gadkari with Manipuri students :: Gallery
  • Mangani Leihun of Chaoren #2 :: Gallery
  • Shopping List for Shivaratri :: Gallery
  • 74th Republic Day @ Kangla #5 :: Gallery
  • Jiribam Keithel [June 2022] #2 :: Gallery
  • Mangani Leihun of Chaoren #1 :: Gallery
  • MK Binodini's centenary - oral literature
  • Sangai Fest: Maram Dance :: Gallery
  • Valentine Day: Keep in mind of mental health
  • 74th Republic Day @ Kangla #4 :: Gallery
  • Aribam Syam Sharma :: Filmography
  • Chinese New Year @Bangkok 2023 :: Gallery
  • Olympians & National awardees of Manipur
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar for 2023