Satjit takes a voyage within to explore the meanings of life, living, and death. He likens life’s journey to dreams – exclusively for Different Truths.

I crossed the life expectancy benchmark in India without making any special effort. As I celebrate my birthday this year, a question haunts me; do I have something to tell about my achievements? Nothing!

If I were to write my biography, I don’t think it will be of any interest to the younger generation. Why only the younger generation? Even seven minutes will be a long time to delve into seven decades of life. Messages of birthday wishes were still pouring in when I had to attend the last rites of a relative.

Raagis were reciting:

“Kaho Naanak thir kachh nahee supnay jio sansaar”

(Says Nanak, nothing lasts forever; the world is like a dream)

“Supney jio sansaar!” What exactly does it mean? During our lifetime, we have seen many dreams or, for that matter, nightmares that appeared to be an unending ordeal; heart racing; trembling body; palms and forehead wet with cold sweat. And when we wake up, the realisation settles in a moment, “Oh, that was only a dream”. Similarly, the most pleasant dreams end with the moment of awakening – the moment of truth.

There were times when life appeared to have come to a standstill, like the passing away of some close family member. There were other painful moments; during student day’s heartbreaks, conflicts in a job, sickness of self or some dear one, challenges with the children; to name a few. I can now relate those moments to this concept of a dream only … some bad dreams.

There were moments when you wished the time to stop, as you wished to live in that ultimate pleasure in life, like when I held, for the first time, my granddaughter in my arms; an angel so sweet or the youngest grandson Purab. The scent emanating from him awakens the sublime ecstasy in every cell of my body.

Life goes on. I know there are new milestones of pleasure and pain too. My only wish is to continue living purposefully and staying active. Dreams are a perpetual happening as well as proverbially.

Old age comes to you without asking for it and brings inherent pleasure and pain.

Perhaps the source of both is the same: Pain of not being able to accept the process, regrets of being deprived of youth and its buoyancy and the pleasure of taking the grace and charm of every age and stage of life, notwithstanding the limitations created by time.

One of the pains of long life is that you are doomed to see some dear ones leave this world. Nevertheless, one great satisfaction at old age is that your progeny will not likely be unfortunate and grieving hard when you leave. With all their love for you, they are somewhat mentally prepared to see you depart. This feeling often emanates from their wish to see you pain-free till the fag end of the journey of your life and the understanding, “This is the way of the world.”

Picture design by Anumita Roy, Different Truths

Satjit Singh

Satjit Singh is a retired banker and freelance writer. His philosophical take on some serious or routine issues is often reflected in his conversations and writings, generally mainly published in newspapers. He finds stories in mundane, everyday situations amusing and has a rich repertoire of anecdotes from his days as a banker. He lives with his wife in Gurgaon and finds time to read, write and talk, despite his busy schedule with a management company.

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