Sometimes we realize that beyond this material world the term 'myself' does not hold any identity at all.
Once, during an idle hour of the day after reading a large number of Amar Chitra Katha books on epics & mythology, this thought kept knocking on my mind; and therein, I came up with a short observation - "History tells that most 'Star Kings', well known Rajas & Maharajas moved to secluded places (say Forests or Rural areas) after handing over reigns to Chosen Ones - Is there a learning for us?
I could latch on to a huge list of examples to support my argument - especially from Mahabharatha and even recent World history (not just India). Most successful kings, bureaucrats, academics, and diplomats called it a day - instead of meddling into minute affairs and spoiling the brew.
On the other hand, I could also see an opposite trend in most places of the modern day India.
For example, in Indian Politics - there is a long list starting from Karunakaran (Tamil Nadu), A K Antony (Kerala), Lal Krishna Advani (National), Pranab Mukherjee (Paschim Bongo), and Farookh Abdullah (Jammu Kashmir).
There is an equally large list in the Indian corporate sector, Indian bureaucracy, Indian academic, Indian entertainment, & Indian cricket world.
While, the discussion and illustrations are restricted to India - but my gut feel is that the problem is more widespread (surely across Asia and possibly across the globe). One has to look around and the list of people holding power and unwilling to retire quietly and gracefully is 'glaring'.
Even today, quarrels strike between people regarding their hold on power. The best example of this is the d.i.l-m.i.l (daughter-in-law and mother-in-law) squabble that has become a regular affair in almost every house; where one tries to hold on to her power firmly while the other tries to find several ways to snatch it.
To this provoking statement, there was a quick reply by a friend, Vani Gangu, which read, "Different stages of life, different duties. One is supped to go through vanaprastha and sanyasa ashramas after the gruhashrama. So, YES."
Sumit Jain followed by writing in, "After a certain time either a 'King or a Queen or a Minister or even a Common man'.....all try to keep off the world's materialistic things and try to get some mental peace. So earlier, the star kings left their throne to find Spirituality... According to my thinking, when all the human duties and needs are fulfilled, only then they can think of reaching the self-actualization stage..."
I liked his comments.
Another friend, Udit Sureka came up with his views- "Or maybe after getting everything that was on the 'to get' list, they realized it's all crap and they needed to chill out :"
Then I redirected my thought writing, "Dear Udit, you are correct. Strategists (and 'Star Kings') do go through a deja vu effect after winning a particular game of strategy.. : (I am reminded of the recent book on Strategic Thinking with Biswatosh-da."
Udit shared his thoughts writing, "Dear sir, I guess it's a question of how big and exciting the 'what's next' is. Also, what parameters are being used. Besides, and this I have seen in some of my seniors and batch mates as well, the moment doesn't necessarily have to come after a big achievement. Given that most of us know that a certain standard of living is pretty much guaranteed, people are looking for other, 'bigger/more important' stuff in life much earlier than before. Typical Maslow's need hierarchy!Someone on campus had once told me that OB - I is the course that makes a lot of sense after campus. I have found that to be quite true! :"
I don't say that giving up of power or duties is restricted to a few sections of the society, after a certain age or after a certain level of achievement; it is a state of the mind that differs from person to person and separates one life from another.