Trapped by desire : Can you understand the truth of life ?

Aubaid Ahmad Akhoon *

Life, like a calm river, often conceals hidden perils beneath its tranquil surface. We chase after glittering opportunities - wealth, power, and fleeting joys - unaware of the dangers that lie in wait. These illusions of grandeur often distract us from eternal truths, much like a fish enticed by bait, oblivious to the deadly hook it conceals.

The renowned poet-philosopher Allama Iqbal offers a profound warning:
Ae tair-e-lahooti, us rizq se maut achi,
Jis rizq se aati ho parwaaz mein kotahi."
(O heavenly bird, death is better than sustenance
That hinders the flight of your spirit toward greatness).

Iqbal’s words remind us of the perils of indulging in transient gains at the cost of spiritual elevation. The sustenance we often chase - be it material wealth or fleeting pleasure - can diminish our ability to soar toward higher purposes.

The Tale of the Hook

In the serene depths of a river, a young fish notices a tempting morsel of meat dangling on the surface. Her instincts urge her to seize the opportunity. Just as she prepares to bite, an old, wise fish intercepts her path and warns:
“Do not be deceived by appearances. That meat hides a hook. Bite it, and you’ll be pulled from the water and meet a grim end. The fisherman’s trap will seal your fate".

The young fish dismisses the warning, convinced it’s an exaggeration. She reasons, “The waters are calm, and there’s no sign of danger. The old fish clings to superstitions".

But the moment she bites the bait the hidden hook pierces her flesh. She struggles in vain as the fisherman reels her in. What she had dismissed as mere stories unfolds before her eyes - the hook, the knife, the boiling oil; and the waiting mouths.

A Reflection on Human Lives

This tale mirrors our own lives. The bait represents the fleeting pleasures of this world—wealth, fame, power - seducing us with the illusion of fulfillment. The hook symbolizes the consequences of succumbing to these temptations, often hidden until it’s too late.

The wise old fish is akin to the Prophets and sages who guide humanity, warning of the perils of worldly attachments and urging us to focus on eternal truths. Their wisdom is a beacon in a world overshadowed by materialism.

Iqbal captures this wisdom in another timeless verse:
“Gohar-e-murad milta hai faqat khudi ke saahil se,
Ye ma’ali jazira tere hi andar chhupa hai."
(The pearl of destiny lies on the shores of selfhood;
This exalted isle is hidden within your soul).

True fulfillment, Iqbal suggests, lies within, not in the external pursuits that often deceive us.

The Illusions of Modernity

In today’s world, we often prioritize tangible evidence over intangible truths. The advancements of science and reason have led many to dismiss faith and spirituality as outdated. Like the skeptical young fish, we view the warnings of ancient wisdom as irrelevant in modem times.

Yet the reality remains: death is inevitable. No amount of progress can shield us from the impermanence of life. Iqbal beautifully emphasizes this truth:
“Maut Ko Samjhay Hain Ghafil Ikhtetaam-e-Zindagi,
Hai Ye Shaam-e-Zindagi, Subha Dawaam-e-Zindagi."
(The imprudent ones consider death as the end of life;
This apparent evening of life is the morning of perpetual life!)

In this verse, Allama Iqbal invites us to reconsider the way we view death and the journey of life. The “imprudent ones” refers to those who perceive death merely as the final end of existence. This limited understanding fails to grasp the deeper, eternal truth that life is not confined to the physical realm we know.

Iqbal compares life to a cycle of day and night, where what we perceive as the evening — a symbol of decline, death, or the end of life — is actually part of a greater, ongoing process. The “apparent evening” represents the conclusion of the material world, but it is also the threshold of a new beginning: the “morning of perpetual life.” This morning, according to Iqbal, is not confined to the limitations of time and space but signifies the eternal life that transcends physical death.

Through this poetic insight, Iqbal emphasizes that death should not be feared or seen as an end but as a transition into a more enduring, spiritual existence. The illusions of modernity often blind us to this eternal truth, and through his verse, Iqbal urges us to look beyond the ephemeral nature of worldly existence and embrace the infinite possibilities of life beyond.

The Eternal Choice

The fisherman’s bait is not an act of cruelty but a reflection of natural order. Similarly, the challenges we face in life are tests of our choices. The Prophets, like the wise old fish, have fulfilled their duty by guiding us. Whether we heed their advice or dismiss it depends on us.

Iqbal urges us to rise above mediocrity through his profound couplets:
“Apne Mann Mein Doob Kar Pa Ja Suragh-E-Zindagi,
Tu Agar Mera Nahin Banta Na Bann, Apna To Bann.”
“Pani Pani Kar Gyi Mujh Ko Qalandar Ki Ye Baat,
Tu Jhuka Jab Ghair Ke Agay, Na Mann Tera Na Tann.”
“Delve into your soul and there seek our life’s buried tracks;
Will you not be mine? Then be not mine, be your own right!”
“The hermit’s saying left me in distress,
You forfeit body and soul alike, once you bow to another’s might!”

In these verses, Iqbal speaks to the core of human existence, urging us to look within for the true purpose of our lives. The first couplet encourages self-exploration: to dive deep into our own soul to discover the hidden path of life. The “buried tracks” symbolize the innate truths that he within each of us. waiting to be uncovered. Iqbal’s message is clear: true fulfillment comes not from seeking external sources of validation but from aligning ourselves with our authentic inner selves.

The second part of the couplet emphasizes the power of personal choice. Iqbal asserts that even if someone chooses not to align with him, they should not lose themselves in the process. “Be your own right” calls for self-empowerment and authenticity. This is a call to not depend on anyone for one’s true self, but to forge one’s own path.

In the second couplet, Iqbal evokes the mystic wisdom of the Qalandar (a term used for a wandering, ascetic mystic). The words “Pani Pani Kar Gyi Mujh Ko Qalandar Ki Ye Baat” refer to the disillusionment that struck Iqbal after hearing the Qalandar’s teachings.

These teachings suggest that true freedom and spiritual greatness come when one is free from the influence of external forces, particularly when one refuses to bow to anyone other than the Divine. “You forfeit body and soul alike if once you cringe to another’s might” reflects the idea that surrendering to worldly power compromises the integrity of both body and soul.

Through these verses, Iqbal calls us to rise above the mundane, to pursue spiritual self-realization, and to maintain integrity in the face of external pressures. It is through this inner strength and unwavering self-awareness that we transcend the challenges of life and find our true purpose. The choice is eternal - whether we succumb to the world’s distractions or seek to align with our higher calling is the eternal test of our soul.

Bottom Line: Embracing Timeless Wisdom

Time is fleeting. Just as the fish cannot return to the water once caught, we cannot revisit this life once it ends. Let us not waste our precious moments chasing illusions. Instead, let us embrace the wisdom of the Prophets and poets, preparing ourselves for the eternal journey that lies ahead.

For while the hook is inevitable, how we choose to swim in the river of life - heedless or aware - is entirely up to us.