(Just embrace the Journey)

As we reach our 40’s, we feel a sense of financial stability, yet searching for something intangible—a purpose, a meaning to our existence. I had always been an over thinker, obsessing over relationships and emotions, tangled in the web of my mind. My travels had always been external: exploring new places, meeting new people, and experiencing the beauty of the world. But as I ventured inward I realized that , Inside every soul lies an ocean of untold stories, waiting to be discovered by the brave voyager within.

One day, as I was talking to a friend, he told me that he is listening to Purana’s and he finds amazing life’s reality in the same. Thus on his recommendation , I thought of listening to the root of all, the ‘Shiv Purana‘. The mystical allure of Lord Shiva’s tales drew me in. It wasn’t just a storybook—it was a guide, a mirror to the soul. It spoke of the four tatvas (elements) and the four cycles of life, an eternal dance of existence that every soul embarks upon.

I would like to share, 10 Lines that touched me the most and are holding deep meanings, they reflect the timeless wisdom of the Shiv Purana and its guidance for self-realization and universal understanding:

1. “I am the creator, the preserver, and the destroyer. In my dance lies the rhythm of life and death.”
2. “The soul that sees me within itself and sees itself within me is free from all illusions.”
3. “He who is fearless in the face of the transient world realizes the eternal truth.”
4. “Meditate on the formless, for in the void lies the source of all creation.”
5. “Attachment binds the soul to the cycle of birth and death; liberation lies in surrendering to the divine will.”
6. “The mind is both the source of bondage and the key to liberation.”
7. “To realize the self, one must embrace both darkness and light, for both are parts of the same whole.”
8. “I reside in the hearts of those who see no difference between themselves and others.”
9. “Knowledge is incomplete without devotion, and devotion is blind without knowledge.”
10. “The ultimate truth cannot be spoken; it must be experienced within the silence of the self.”

4 Elements (Tatvas):

The Shiv Purana explained that the universe, and everything within it, is made up of four primary elements:

1. Earth (Prithvi) – Stability and grounding, the foundation of life.
2. Water (Jal) – Fluidity and adaptability, the essence of emotions and life’s flow.
3. Fire (Agni) – Transformation and passion, the force of change.
4. Air (Vayu) – Freedom and vitality, the breath of life.

These elements exist not just externally but within us, shaping our thoughts, emotions, and actions. As I followed, I realized my life had always been dominated by one element or another. When I sought stability, I clung to the Prithvi tatva. In moments of heartbreak, the Jal tatva guided my tears and emotions. My passion for justice and intense moments of overthinking stemmed from the Agni tatva. And when I yearned for freedom from my struggles, it was the Vayu tatva whispering to my soul.

4 Cycles of Life:

Life, as per Indian mythology, is an endless cycle, woven through the stages of:

1. Dharma (Righteousness) – Learning the principles of life and aligning with the universal order.
2. Artha (Wealth) – Seeking stability and resources to sustain life.
3. Kama (Desires) – Experiencing joy, love, and fulfillment.
4. Moksha (Liberation) – Freeing oneself from the cycle of rebirth and merging with the infinite.

Each cycle is incomplete without the other, and they repeat endlessly, propelling the soul toward ultimate wisdom. So, the completing of a cycle can be said as :

Dharma: Learning from the scriptures and nature, we realign with our purpose. Our dharma isn’t a grand mission but the simple act of living authentically. Artha: Our wealth isn’t just monetary. It was in our relationships, experiences, and the wisdom we are gathering through living in present. Kama: When we allow ourselves to feel joy without guilt, to cherish simple pleasures, whether it was the taste of a local dish or the kindness of a stranger. Moksha: Liberation isn’t about leaving the world behind but being free from the illusions that bound us —fear, regret, and overthinking.

Isn’t it Simple… that the purpose of life isn’t in the destination but in the journey. Each moment, each struggle, and each joy is a step in the soul’s evolution. We don’t need to escape the cycles but embrace them. The tatvas are our tools, and the cycles are our lessons.