An Individual Amidst The Vortex of Relationships
An Individual Amidst The Vortex of Relationships
****************************************************
Relations in the world are as old as the civilization itself.
A number of relationships are formed just by simply taking birth.
One thereby instantly becomes either son or daughter or the father- mother-aunt-uncle of the child so born.
As one grows up this relationship also goes on multiplying.
That is why Rousseau said- Man is born free but everywhere he is in chains.
****************************************************
During the period spent as student by an individual yet a new relation comes to exist in the form of teacher- student relationship. Side by side develops yet another relationship called that of friendship.
****************************************************
When the study of an individual comes to an end in search of livelihood or job there happens to emerge a new relationship with the known or unknown called competitors.
In real life examples a yet another relationship is that of debtors and creditors that concern an individual.
If you find engagement to solve the problem of livelihood through business the relationship with customer or client is all that matters to be successful.
****************************************************
Similarly after one gets employment of sorts whether by job or service; a new relation takes birth all of a sudden. This relationship is called employer-employee relationship.In most of the time this relationship becomes important to such an extent that other relationships take a back seat. This is so because it not only provides one bread and butter but helps to earn a standing in the society also. Consequent upon the birth of employer-employee relations; relationship in terms of being a colleague or sub-ordinate of one another at the workplace is only subsequential and natural.
****************************************************
In many cases in the past one more important relationship was that of master and servant. Some centuries ago this master servant relationship was of order of Lord and Slave type- the latter being treated as sellable commodity.
Until ago the existence of begar or forced labour was not unheard of.
But now this relationship is now either not seen or has transformed itself into that of superior-subordinate relationship for better nomenclature.
But even today some in government service or private jobs are treated by some in such a way that reminds one of the vestiges of this practice in a veiled form of exploitation, humiliation and intimidation.
****************************************************
After earning a right to stand in the society one, generally speaking, then prefers to marry.
Marriage again brings a new set of relationships. By this single important event of life one becomes a husband or a wife of someone and thereby happens to be again the son, daughter or brother etc.etc.in the category of in-law.
The above circle of relationships goes on repeating itself when marriage results in formation of new family and birth of children inter alia.
****************************************************
On a broader horizon these relationships together condense to transform into the State relationship with its people who in most of the polities serve as the source of State.
****************************************************
On a still broader horizon the supreme to all the above types of relationships is that of relationship by virtue of humanity and compassion towards all living beings- I believe.
All other relationships as defined by birth,sex, place of birth, region, caste, religion, belief, faith,mode of worship and practice are simply fictitious upon ultimate analysis.
Sometimes they are causative of leading one to fall from where one is.
****************************************************
The above relationships that I have tried to mention are only illustrative not exhaustive. Moreover these relationships mentioned above are legal ones. The list is liable to become long if relationships built illegally and unethically are also endeavoured to be included.
****************************************************
The point to pore over is: Is it not a great task for an individual to manage this maze of relationships where each one of the relationships demands upon the individual in its own way and quite often in multiple ways?
Sometimes one becomes at a loss to find these demands appear simultaneously with equal intensity.
Only the experiencer knows the better.
****************************************************
Definitely it is a challenge to discharge the duty, responsibility and demand associated with each type of relationship.
But then one has no option but to meet those demands day and night coming from such a maze of relationships with full vigour, zeal and to the best of one's capacity.
An individual busy fulfilling demands arising out of this maze of relationships as a sense of duty sans attachment towards these relationships is called कर्मयोगी in the language of metaphysics.
****************************************************
In the end I have purposefully left untouched the esoteric relationship of Individual with God because of my incapacity to deal with the matter for want of sufficient knowledge and wisdom.
Seers say only this relationship is real; rest is unreal. All worldly relationships begin only to end but the relationship with God is not of this category. It is indescribable.🙏
****************************************************
R.R.Prabhakar.
11.06.2022.
Comments