Though I did not like the Oscar winning movie - Slumdog Millionaire (2008) very much, there's one thing about the narration of the story that effortlessly won me over. It's appearing of a multiple-choice question on the screen in the beginning scene of the movie and its answer (the correct option out of the four choices given with the question) appearing on the screen in the ending scene with the whole movie passing in between of appearance of this question and its correct answer. The question is - How could Jamaal reach the stage of winning the quiz with the prize money worth Rs. 20 million and the four choices given are - A. He cheated, B. He's lucky, C. He's a genius, D. It is written. And the end of the movie tells the answer - D. It is written.
And yes, that's something which I consider as the biggest truth of life. Whatever happens with someone or in the life of someone is pre-destined, it's written. The same thing is asserted by the heroes of a Hindi movie - Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara (2011) while spending their time on a vacation trip in Spain - Yeh Bhi Likha Tha, Woh Bhi Likha Tha, namely, this was also written, that was also written (to happen) and so on. I believe them. Even the smallest thing that happens, happens because it was written that it would happen when the time for it to happen arrives. Nothing happens before its due time and nothing happens which was not destined to happen.
You may call me a fatalist. But this I have been led to believe by my life-experiences. You may expect something to happen and wait for it for eons but it may not happen (though logically it should happen considering all the relevant facts). On the contrary, you may not expect something to happen ever (because of all the relevant facts indicating that it's the most unlikely thing to take place) and to your utter shock, it happens. And then you cannot deny the truth which has proved to be stranger than the fiction. I have seen it and I have undergone numerous (not just two-three) such experiences in my life. When everything is going right, something may go wrong. When everything is going wrong, something may go right.
What's the explanation behind it ? Joseph Murphy has written a complete book - The Power of Your Subconscious Mind explaining how the things which appear to be unlikely or beyond one's reach are made possible. He has tried to establish that by tapping the power of one's subconscious mind and diverting it into the desirable direction, one can gain what he desires and avoid what he doesn't. This principle coupled with an associated principle called the 'Law of Attraction' has some essence for sure. But what to say when you are not able to guide your subconscious mind properly or the desires of different people led by their respective subconscious minds clash ? Then how do the things happen ? Simply because they were written to happen, they were destined to happen.
I stumbled upon MS quite accidentally on 05th December, 2009 while surfing on the internet aimlessly. Prior to that I had not even heard of the name of this site. However now I have posted hundreds of reviews here and gained several true friends with some of them not remaining just virtual friends and becoming real ones. Why did it happen ? Because it was written. And this is just a small example. I am able to recall dozens, even hundreds of such examples from my own life. Even the small interactions with friends / strangers took place in my life because they were written.
Our Shaastras underscore the significance of Purushaarth or the efforts of man. Yes, Purushaarth or efforts have enormous importance in one's life and none should be lazy or indolent, doing nothing from his / her side for his / her betterment and progress. Still the understanding of fate or destiny or the uncontrollable factors is important because it stops one from becoming proud or arrogant. Giving credit (or blame) of at least certain things that have happened due to the uncontrollable factors or the ex-factor prevalent or God, makes us humble and sometimes saves us from guilt-complex. And this belief or assumption is not unfounded. It is true. Unbelievably true.
Who writes these written things to ensure that they happen at their destined moments ? Well, any name can be given to that supreme power. It can be called Waqt or the moving finger or the Almighty or the fate or the destiny or whatever but the thing is that it exists. And admitting its existence does not mean abstinence from diligent and sincere efforts and hard work. It only means to digest this fact that life is - You Win Some, You Lose Some. That's why the Geeta advises - Karmanyevadhikaaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana (you have a right over your effort but not over its outcome). Instead of harsh self-criticism in certain moments of losses / setbacks, it's better to find solace in the dictum - It was written. What is true for the Slumdog Millionaire - Jamaal, is, in fact, true for every creature, every phenomena.
