राम
Contemplative Interlude

The Wasted Life Blames Time, Karma, and God

Uttara Kanda, Doha 43

Doha 43 · Movement 2 of 2

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One who receives the human body yet neglects its highest purpose suffers beyond this life. Regret comes violently, with the head struck again and again when the lost opportunity can no longer be recovered.

Still the mind refuses to turn toward its own choice. It falsely accuses Kala, karma, and Ishvara, placing the cause everywhere except within the life it was given to direct.

The tragedy is not suffering alone. It is the continuation of blindness inside suffering. Time is blamed for what attention neglected, karma for what action repeated, and God for what freedom refused. Rama exposes this movement so responsibility can awaken while the boat is still at shore and the voyage remains possible.

Regret becomes another veil when the hand that wasted the gift points toward time, karma, and God instead of awakening.

Read the passage from the Manas

सो परत्र दुख पावइ सिर धुनि धुनि पछिताइ। कालहि कर्महि ईस्वरहि मिथ्या दोष लगाइ।।43।।

Such a person suffers in the next world, beating his head in regret. And instead of seeing his own fault, he falsely blames Kala, blames Karma, blames Ishvara. Everyone but himself! This is the tragedy of ignorance. Even suffering teaches nothing to one who will not learn.