CARPE DIEM (SEIZE THE DAY)
BY B.M. MALHOTRA
Carpe Diem: These two Latin words, adopted in the English language, contain a valuable practical advice in that they say, “enjoy the present” or “make the most of everything today”. “Seize the day” is another equivalent expression which is commonly used.
The philosophy contained in these axiomatic words was expressed sixteen centuries ago by the great Indian epic poet and dramatist, Kalidasa, who while calling yesterday a dream and tomorrow a vision, recommended a well-lived today as a sure way to happiness. He emphasized that in today lie the bliss of growth, the glory of action and the splendour of achievement.
The same idea found an echo when the eleventh-twelfth century Iranian poet and astronomer, Omar Khayyam wrote: “Unborn tomorrow and dead yesterday/ Why fret about them if today be sweet”.This verse constitutes the famous free translation by Edward Fitzgerald of the following original rubai or quatrain as written in Persian by Khayyam: “Deeroz keh guzashta ast azu yaad makun,/ Farda keh na aamda ast faryaad makun./ Bar guzashta w na aamda buniyaad makun,/ Haale khush baash, umar barbaad makun”.
The following literal rendering of this quatrain into English will further clarify the purport of Khayyam’s words: Remember not yesterday, which has passed,/ Complain not of tomorrow, which has not arrived./ Lay no foundation on that which has passed/ Or that which has not arrived;/ Be happy at present (today) and don’t ruin your life.
It is said that the most important time is the present moment, the most important work is that in which you are engaged now, the most important person is the one in whose company you are at this moment and the most important place is the one where you are at this particular time. Apart from its emphasis on the significance of the present instant, this perception suggests that the work we are doing should be done well with our full enthusiasm and utmost attention.
Consciousness of the mystery and potential inherent in the present moment will, in fact, inspire us to a creative mood and transmute even our hum-drum routine jobs into pleasurable activities. An important job will of course demand a more intense application of one’s mind to it. If nothing else, the sheer thrill and joy of having accomplished any challenging and worthwhile job excellently would by itself be tantamount to an apt reward for one’s effort.
This thinking, incidentally, is in consonance with the idealistic teaching of the Bhagvad Gita that our right is to work only and never to its fruit. We are also advised by the same scripture against regarding fruit of action as our object or our being attached to inaction.
The Scottish author, Thomas Carlyle said: “Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand”. Jesus Christ exhorted, “Have no anxiety for tomorrow”, which wise words by implication do not oppose any careful planning and preparation, but enjoin eschewing of anxiety about anything in the time to come
The American poet H.W. Longfellow propounded:“Trust no future however pleasant/ Let the dead past bury its dead!/ Act, act in the living present!/ Heart within and God overhead!”.
Eckhart Tolle in his currently popular book, “The Power of Now - A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” too proffers living in the now as a sure recipe for happiness and enlightenment.
Adopting “Carpe Diem”, as a motto and acting upon it will bring us pleasure and profit. Implicit in this maxim is also a plea against procrastination. It is well said indeed that procrastination is the waste of time. Putting off of any work, which needs to be done now, brings in its trail failure and frustration. Ravana, just before his death is said to have sorely regretted postponing the use of the golden ladder that had been granted to him as a boon for ascending to Heaven.
During the period he was pursuing the profession of a lawyer, the former American President, Abraham Lincoln, while once traveling by a stage-coach, did not lose the opportunity of extricating a squealing little pig from the mud in which it had got deeply stuck, though Lincoln’s own clothes and shoes got badly soiled in the process After rejoining his waiting and wondering fellow-passengers, Lincoln explained that had he not freed the poor animal from its predicament, he would have perennially repented having missed the chance of doing the little good deed.
We should also not let go any opportunity of doing good and thereby reducing someone’s misery apart from adding to our own happiness. If most people followed this precept, ours would be a better world to live in.