Swami ji’s Sandesh… “समय हमेशा बदलता है और ज़रूर बदलेगा…”

Swamij ji said…

We wake up every morning with a mission in our mind; a goal to be accomplished; a dream to be fulfilled — and many a time, when we are right at the threshold of attaining that objective; realising our purpose – which appears to be very much “within our grasp” at that moment – it seems to fall apart the very next moment, leaving us dumbfounded, heartbroken, and extremely distressed and dejected.

At other times, something happens that we least expected. Something that rudely jolts us, scares us, and takes the wind out of our sails. What follows is deep despair. The mind, in fear, is unable to fathom what is happening. One feels completely numb. It appears as though what has now happened will forever stay with us and will always be on our minds. One is convinced that one’s life has been altered in such a way that there is no possibility of there being any happiness in it – ever again. But that is never really true.

‘Time’ takes its own ‘time’, but, changes everything – at the right time; at the moment destined for the change to happen. Little by little, inch by inch – that significant change occurs in our lives. And what seemed implausible before – lies right before our eyes – as ‘proof’. Pain recedes and is replaced by joy. Hope gradually overcomes fear. The immovable mountain that seemed to stand in our way is now behind us.

“स्वयं समय में ही इतनी शक्ति है कि वह ग़म को खुशी में; हार को जीत में; उदासी को खुशहाली में; हँसी को रोने में — अगले क्षण में ही बदल सकता है…”

And it is this singular, significant, and exclusive feature that time possesses – which has never been comprehended by God’s most intelligent creation — man. His arrogance, sense of superiority, and habit of overriding others – can only be silenced and subjugated completely – by the stronghold and absolute control that time exerts on him – as and when it feels the need to do so.

It is the situation and circumstance that time places us in, that finds us either exhilarated or dejected; gloomy or happy; positive or negative. But, the most amazing and mystifying quality of time is that – bad days will most certainly see the light of good days – one fine day; days of sadness will lead to days of merriment; and months of repeated failure will see monumental success one fine day.

So, it is ‘time’ alone that has the power to wound as well as to heal us; to give a disease and to cure. But what does this mean for us? What message does it carry?

To the spiritual seeker, this means only one thing : to have faith in all kinds of situations. What exists today — be it good or bad — will not be there tomorrow. Nothing is permanent, even though it might appear so. In good times, one is often acutely aware of this, praying that the good times last. But they never do.

In bad times, however, one seems to believe that the situation one is in will never change. But that too is never true.

With a little reflection, we will realise this – to be true. But it is when we internalise this lesson that we are able to live life better. For those who realise, see and feel the power of time- they are never too bothered by their circumstances today. They neither rejoice at good tidings excessively , nor, mourn in grief too bitterly. They are acutely aware that change is bound to happen,and, they thus act accordingly.

What matters, thus, is to keep moving forward in life. Life might trip us up today, but we must get up and continue, for it could only mean that we might ‘now’ be on time – for something great ‘later’.

Time teaches us the value of patience. It teaches us that patience does not mean slowing down, but, rather accepting and waiting for change to happen at the right time. It teaches us that today is only fleeting and does not necessarily have much say in how tomorrow will be. And, all we can do is our best and leave the rest to God.

In the Ramayana, Lord Ram’s life is an enlightening example of this. From a prince in a palace- to a warrior roaming the forests- and then to be crowned the King of Ayodhya- time placed him in circumstances that would have been impossible to discern- from any moment in the past.

Time heals all, time creates all, time erodes all, and finally, time reveals all. Thus, we all must strive to keep our faith in ‘time’ as- ‘समय’ हमेशा बदलता है और ज़रूर बदलेगा…”