From a satsang with Pt. Umadutt Maharaj, Spiritual Leader, SWAHA Bhakti Jyoti Mandali
There is a bhajan that reminds us that we are but travellers in this world, passing through a fleeting existence. Nothing here is permanent, for with every moment, something changes. Indeed, change is the only constant in this world.
From a scriptural standpoint, life unfolds in stages—existence, growth, maturity, decay and ultimately, death, according to the Bhagavad Gita. When we are reborn into the cycle of samsara, we do not return to the same circumstances. The opportunities granted to us in one lifetime may not present themselves again. Hence, we must use our time wisely, lest we face the burden of regret. A well-known adage advises: What is meant for tomorrow, do today; what is meant for today, do it now.
Yet, many people squander their lives in idle pursuits. How, then, can we elevate ourselves? Sacrifice is necessary—whether it is dedicating time to spiritual service, observing sacred occasions or nurturing our connection with the divine. These acts are not for the benefit of God, but for our own spiritual well-being. True spirituality lies in the virtues we cultivate and express in our daily lives. Never should we neglect the opportunities to glorify the divine or live with true human dignity.
Scriptures urge us to abide by the divine injunctions, for time governs all beings in this existence. The depiction of Kaali Devi, often misunderstood as fearsome, is profoundly symbolic. Kaal means time, and Kaali Devi is its supreme controller. As the cosmic force personified, her garland of human heads represents the unceasing cycle of birth, life and death, over which she reigns. Nobody is beyond that cycle. Her jet black form embodies the infinite—Nirgun Brahm, the formless divinity, as well as Sagun Brahm, the divine in manifest form. Are we truly fulfilling the purpose of our human birth? Everything we possess is transient; in the course of time, all that we hold dear either leaves us or must be left behind. Thus, we must devote ourselves to the divine, recognising that self-purification is our personal responsibility.
There is another bhajan that reminds us of the brevity of life. To attain true joy, we must immerse ourselves in the remembrance of the divine and cleanse ourselves of guile, negativity and sin. Just as we strive to maintain the beauty and strength of our physical form, we must also nurture and beautify the self within. Every breath we take draws us towards life’s inevitable end.
The illusions of this world can easily ensnare us—the pursuit of success, wealth, sensory pleasures and familial bonds. While these aspects of life have their place, they must not divert us from realising our true nature. Time governs all; we measure our existence by its rhythm—when we rise, when we sleep, when we work and when we celebrate. If we internalise the truth of life’s impermanence, we will not waste our days in fruitless distractions. As the saying goes, Time, tide, and opportunity wait for no man. The only pursuits that hold true meaning are those that uncover divinity.
This human birth is a precious gift from the divine. What we choose to make of it is our offering in return.
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