The 8 desires of human life 

Desire is an intrinsic part of human life. We all wish for a variety of things; many are materialistic and some emotional. We want health, wealth, comfort, good relationships, success, good progeny and fame. There are also spiritual desires - we have a desire to know about life after death, about how to remain detached and equanimous under all kinds of circumstances and we want to be at peace. But these myriad wishes arise from some basic human desires. On Day 10 of Hari Katha during Lockdown, Morari Bapu, the well-known narrator of Ram Katha analysed the innate desires in any human being.

He felt that there are eight contraptions of human want:

Morari Bapu explained how Ram Charita Manas through different sequences shows how these desires can be fulfilled as per our patrata (eligibility).

PEACE, STRENGTH AND KNOWLEDGE

Shantam sasvatamaprameyamanagha nirvanashantipradam

(Ram - the bestower of supreme peace in the form of final beatitude, placid, eternal, beyond the ordinary means of cognition, sinless and all-pervading.)

II Ram Charita Manas Sundar Kaand Shloka 1II

In the first Shloka of Sundar Kaand, Lord Ram has been described as the bestower of peace and it is to him that his holy name that we need to turn to obtain serenity of mind.

Another basic characteristic we would need to imbibe in our endeavour is to take refuge at the feet of a spiritual master. Our strength will derive from our complete surrender to a Guru. And such a strength which derives from a spiritual master is superior from personal power as it is free from our ego.

Not only physical strength, Ram Charita Manas explains that an intellectual prowess is also a form of power.

Dana parasu budhi shakti pracanda, bara bigyana kathina kodanda.4.

(Again, charity is the axe; reason, the fierce lance and the highest wisdom, the relentless bow.)

II Ram Charita Manas Lanka Kaand Ch 80 (A)II

In addition to a sharp mind, if we have nirmal mati (uncontaminated thinking or), it can also lead us to Vishram or peace.

Takey juga pad kamal manavu, jasu kripa nirmal mati pavau 4.

(I seek to propitiate the pair of Her (Sitas) lotus feet, so that by Her grace I may be blessed with a refined intellect.)

II Ram Charita Manas Bal Kaand Ch 18II

FREEDOM

To remain a dependent or under the shelter of a Guru can provide us real freedom.

Ram gives Bharat full freedom to choose the way forward after the demise of their father Dasratha, but Bharat chooses to choose whatever Ram chooses.

Bharat shows complete surrender as he pleads:

Jehi bidhi prabhu prasan mun hoi, karuna sagar kijiye soi 1.

(Do that, O ocean of mercy, which may please your heart, my lord.)

II Ram Charita Manas Ayodhya Kaand Ch 269II

BEAUTY AND IMMORTALITY

Beauty should not be seen as only externally extant but must manifest as an inner magnificence. And immortality should be interpreted not just by the measure that we are alive. The quality of our thoughts and our contribution in adding to the vitality of the world during a lifetime also lend to our immortality.

LOVE AND BLISS

Immortality can be understood only by those who are ready to consume poison (hardship, criticism etc.) like Mira. Sacrifice is a by-product of love, which in turn helps us obtain bliss.

However, anyone who is free from these desires can be called as ascetic or a Sanyasi. In the Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna in his address to Arjun defines such a person Nitya Sanyasi who holds no malice for anyone, neither does he desire anything.

The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way represent those of Times Network.

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The 8 desires of human life and how to fulfill them - Times Now